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Post by Otherexperiences on Jan 25, 2018 18:26:18 GMT
A close friend had recently purchased a lovely rising 5yr from a well known producer, not a pretend producer, one that you would think knows their stuff.
Said horse recently has their back checked and the damage already done to this poor young horse was considerable. From what I understand, his spine had compacted as such, from what the chiropractor described, as he had been strapped in from such a young age.
Had this not of been discovered, she reckoned he would of lasted for only another few years before he would be ruined.
Thankfully there should be a solution for him, lots of long and low work, raised poles, fanned poles etc should hopefully rectify the problem.
But it got me thinking, these poor horses, that are done in such a way, and then suddenly they disappear at 7/8yrs old. Is it any wonder?!
Obviously I'm not suggesting some magic solution- but is it really so hard to just produce these nice horses and ponies correctly and carefully? Rather than it be a race to get 3/4yr olds broken and in the ring? Similarly it happens in other disciplines I know, I used to ride for various international showjumping yards and often their horses who had competed in the age classess and been competed hard were broken by 6 or 7.
It saddens me that this is quite overlooked, it's such a poor poor example to get younger generation, and those working for some of these yards who may go on and start off on their own following the same method.
Yes I know this isn't all producing yards- I know there are still good old fashioned horsemen who buy/break/produce these young horses carefully with the future at the front of their minds - I wonder why this isn't followed by more? Is it really that important to get a hoys ticket?
I for one still have multiple horses competing at a high level who are 10+.
Be interested to hear others opinions on this topic.
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Post by chalky284 on Jan 25, 2018 19:46:42 GMT
I totally agree, I think a good place to start is minimum ages for the open classes.
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Post by forester on Jan 25, 2018 20:39:06 GMT
Far too many ponies are backed and schooled this way it seems these days See it lots on face book. Massive bits and gadgets after gadgets
Who was it. Pm me if u wish
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bugs
Junior Member
Posts: 121
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Post by bugs on Jan 29, 2018 6:15:38 GMT
I’ve been so worried about my ability with my young pony as she has taken a couple of years to start to come together. I was reading all sorts of things on the internet and wondering what I was doing wrong as mine looked nothing like other 4/5 year olds who were winning all over the place. Now she is finally starting to come together at 6 turning 7, still not open standard but ready for a novice year. Thankfully I had a knowledgable person to reassure me to give her time and not fix her in her way of going and I can’t thank them enough now. I think she will be 9 or 10 before she is fully mature and ready.
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Post by bigmama on Jan 29, 2018 12:43:25 GMT
I totally agree, I think a good place to start is minimum ages for the open classes. T-o-t-a-l-l-y agree ..... and in particular, a minimum age of six for Hoys
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Post by NotNice on Jan 29, 2018 19:00:28 GMT
And then theres race horses who are broken at 1 year old still with baby tails, not the nice gentle way they're put between high bales so they cant turn or move sideways and sat on. Then trotted, then cantered around a barn then to the gallops in days not weeks or months. Most never see a racecourse as they didnt make it - usually leg related. For showing its all about how they look, tie em in, put a stronger bit in their mouth, inject steroids to build up that neck, dope them and lunge them all to get a pretty rosette A huge gentle animal, capable of fighting or even killing us if they wanted and we treat them like this for personal glory Its a sweeping statement and not all fall into it, some are lucky some are loved and treated kindly But we're an awful species
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Post by Damage on Feb 5, 2018 19:55:17 GMT
Agree the ages should be raised in showing. To 6 ideally. No horse develops properly before that age, but either way these so called professionals and amateurs alike will still tie horses in and do damage. Its disgusting. Having worked in the showing industry, I've seen first hand the cruelty. Most people couldn't correctly produce a horse if their lives depended on it. It takes years to achieve correct. So by that, no horse would be in the ring as babies. And yes they disappear, usually injured, crippled with laminitis, or damaged and dead. Showing is a sick game that brings out the worst in so many. Horses, the only animal that can be openly abused and their owners are proud of it.
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Post by fatcob on Feb 5, 2018 21:43:37 GMT
It always amazes me to see four year olds (well any age actually) ridden in swales and offered for sale as suitable for amateur by well known producers. Some of these “professionals” have books in print about producing young horses.
You see facebook posts by these “pros” with horses standing in tack, tied down and always hacked in draw reins.
If this is the standard amateurs should strive for then I would rather play dominoes...
The FEI have banned rollkur and are working now towards heavily penalising BTV (behind the vertical). Maybe showing shoud do the same....
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Feb 6, 2018 8:11:18 GMT
It used to be the case that correct flat schooling was the same for all disciplines, showing as well as dressage and on to jumping. Did it change when showing became a discipline of its own, unconnected to others?
At least the FEI is going in the right direction.
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Post by ponymum on Feb 6, 2018 9:28:51 GMT
It's so sad , these beautiful creatures are having their gentle natures ruined by incorrect training and although they are fed and groomed , some of the training SHOULD be deemed abusive. But where there is the lure of the next best pony /horse things wont change. I would like to see a minimum age for Hoys too .
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Post by leevale on Feb 6, 2018 10:11:35 GMT
Not all producers tie horses heads in. If you want your horses correctly produced, be more choosey about where you send them. Simple.
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Post by 10year old on Feb 15, 2018 11:21:28 GMT
I've got a big green 10 year old coming out this year. Not even going to attempt novice classes as we will get overlooked because he isnt 4! He has taken a while to get going, only broken at 7 and I havent even had him in a double yet!
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Post by flee on Feb 15, 2018 16:21:37 GMT
I've got a big green 10 year old coming out this year. Not even going to attempt novice classes as we will get overlooked because he isnt 4! He has taken a while to get going, only broken at 7 and I havent even had him in a double yet! Don't rule out the novice classes for an older horse , a decent judge won't put a genuine novice down just because he's a late developer and/or new to the game . I can remember chatting to the lady next to me in the line up in a novice class who revealed that her pony was a 14 year old who , having recently retired from stud duties , had only been gelded and broken in as a 13yo . He was well placed too , as I recall , and whilst he may have been the oldest novice I knew of I've certainly encountered quite a few in the 8+ age group . Some judges don't even ask the animals age anyway !
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Post by agree on Feb 16, 2018 11:57:25 GMT
Leevale I couldn't agree more. People seem to be wowed by someone who has got a few good results on a made pony or can make their ponies look extra shiny. It amazes me how little research people do into where they send their horses - sometimes you only have to look on a Facebook page to see a pony who has been backed two weeks jumping already or being ridden in a gag! Choose someone who has been around for years, stays out of trouble and has a number of good references!
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Post by gillwales on Feb 16, 2018 19:19:58 GMT
One of the best tests is to call into a yard unannounced, rude I know, but anyone who has nothing to hid will not be bothered by this. Ask to look around the yard and see how the inmates react to you. I went to one yard where every pony charged to the back of it's box. I can state that the horses on Robert Oliver's yard and the ponies on Ron and Debbie Thomas's yard were very happy and glad to see visitors.
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