6yr old - just been backed - would you buy?

[Stenners]

I’m on a horse hunt at the moment for a genuine all rounder and have found what looks to be a lovely mare - very genuine and chilled out.
She’s 6years old and just been backed. She came from a stud farm after the owners sold the farm so a lady bought the farm and a few of the horses so hence the reason being broken late. She’s had natural horsemanship and I’ve been sent videos from the breakers and where she is now for schooling.
For me its more time thats the issue as I have a toddler but she looks to be really easy but i wouldn’t usually be looking for something just been backed! However i do have a friend i could send her too for a couple of weeks to give me a head start so i can carry on. Would a 6yr old that just been backed put you off?

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

No, I wouldn’t be put off. I know some people think later is better for backing as the horse is more mature/able to cope. Go see her!

 

[Stenners]

No, I wouldn’t be put off. I know some people think later is better for backing as the horse is more mature/able to cope. Go see her!

in all her videos she just takes everything in her stride, nothing looks to phase her and is popping jumps! she’s also stunning!!!

 

[ycbm]

No, I bought a 7 year old mare from stud last year and backed her. 6 would be a bonus.
.

 

[milliepops]

I'd be happy to take on a horse like this but it's going to be like any just backed horse, and need regular work. just because the horse is older won't make it any easier as she won't have any more world knowledge than a 3 or 4yo. as you've mentioned time is an issue i just think it's important to be realistic about that - if you want a proven allrounder, you need to be buying a horse with a bit more life experience imo.

 

[HorsesRule2009]

I bought my boy as an un backed 6yr old straight from his breeder. He's been so easy to do everything with.

 

[Stenners]

I bought my boy as an un backed 6yr old straight from his breeder. He's been so easy to do everything with.

This is good to know! Is he ridden daily?

 

[Stenners]

I'd be happy to take on a horse like this but it's going to be like any just backed horse, and need regular work. just because the horse is older won't make it any easier as she won't have any more world knowledge than a 3 or 4yo. as you've mentioned time is an issue i just think it's important to be realistic about that - if you want a proven allrounder, you need to be buying a horse with a bit more life experience imo.

Absolutely, I think she’s definitely worth seeing though. Apparantly she was super easy to break

 

[FlyingCircus]

Depends what you want her for, I think.

Some youngsters/late starters cope with being picked up and put down, but I've always found that it is best to have them in consistent work from backing (allowing for "holidays" if necessary), to get the best out of them.

 

[Stenners]

Depends what you want her for, I think.

Some youngsters/late starters cope with being picked up and put down, but I've always found that it is best to have them in consistent work from backing (allowing for "holidays" if necessary), to get the best out of them.

mainly hacking, school, popping some jumps and eventually be able to do some local unaffiliated events.

 

[ycbm]

mainly hacking, school, popping some jumps and eventually be able to do some local unaffiliated events.

If she's nice, buy her.
.

 

[MagicMelon]

I had an 8yo who I backed, I found them easier to bring on as they generally have a more mature head as they're older in the first place. I definately wouldnt be put off, if anything at least the horse is low mileage so far.

 

[Orangehorse]

The backing is the easy bit, it is the next couple of years schooling that is the hard work. Being a bit older might make her more mature in attitude, but find out if she has been out to any shows, or seen anything of life so far because it might be a bit of a shock to her system.

The age wouldn't put me off.

 

[HorsesRule2009]

Yes now ridden daily and is a general all rounder.
I have also used him to ride and lead both as ridden horse and led horse.
Don't get me wrong he still had to learn alot when I first got him but I found he was less reactive in unsure situations and more just stood and thought it through then carried on with what I had asked.
He's a Sec D so think the later backing done him the world of good.
He's still very playful in the field now as a 10yr old but fab under saddle

 

[HorsesRule2009]

All I would say is maybe dig a little to be sure of the reason she is inbacked.
Is it just generally lack of time/experience/facilities etc and not that people have tried and failed as if its the latter I would maybe pass her buy as they tend to have issues and have learnt how to get away with not working.
I'm not saying they won't make a good riding horse eventually but will be far more work.

 

[PSD]

I’m your position with a toddler, no I wouldn’t buy the horse. I’ve just sold my fell because I didn’t have the time to be consistent enough with a newly backed horse. It’s hard work, but if you can manage time wise and can be consistent then go for it. But personally, no I wouldn’t

 

[canteron]

I think you may need more support than 2 weeks with your trainer.
- could you get someone to ride twice a week to take the pressure off so you can enjoy her? (Possibly the same with whatever you buy!!)

 

[Trouper]

I think this is more about you than her and I agree with others who have said you need to be sure you have the time for a youngster. It won't be just going to the yard to turn out/bring in and ride.

Having said that, if you can find good amounts of time each day, I think it would be a very rewarding thing to do. I would be taking lots of time to build a relationship with her and taking things slowly so that all the foundation stuff is done thoroughly. For me, that would not be sending her away for someone to do a few weeks' work with her - she will be unsettled enough by a purchase move anyway so I am not sure how much of a learning experience it would be for her. If your toddler has nursery time that you can devote to a horse and you have the same "cover" for that time at weekends, it should work.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Unbacked at that age wouldn't bother me as long as they hadn't been started and went wrong, my friend bought a 7 yo arab from a breeder she had just lived in a field all her life, she is backing her at the moment and has been really easy and is going really well.

 

[Stenners]

The backing is the easy bit, it is the next couple of years schooling that is the hard work. Being a bit older might make her more mature in attitude, but find out if she has been out to any shows, or seen anything of life so far because it might be a bit of a shock to her system.

The age wouldn't put me off.

She's has been anywhere other than hacking round the village.

 

[Sealine]

Unbacked at that age wouldn't bother me as long as they hadn't been started and went wrong, my friend bought a 7 yo arab from a breeder she had just lived in a field all her life, she is backing her at the moment and has been really easy and is going really well.

This. Many years ago a friend saw a big 17.2 TB in a field. After doing some digging she found out he was an unbroken 7 year old and because he'd been a physically immature ugly duckling as a youngster no one had bothered with him. My friend bought him, backed him with no issues and he turned out to be a great show jumper and a lovely, kind horse.

 

[Leandy]

So long as the story truly checks out I wouldn't be worried about late backing however pls do check it out thoroughly as there may well be a reason you have not yet found as to why she has been left ie she is not easy or has had a bad experience, or went lame and has had time off. Also what do you mean by "had natural horsemanship"? This might also put me off for the same reasons. No harm in looking at her though and going from there. She won't take any less time though as a 6 year old than a recently backed 3 or 4 year old would so if you really don't have time for a youngster then keep looking.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

The backing is the easy bit, it is the next couple of years schooling that is the hard work. Being a bit older might make her more mature in attitude, but find out if she has been out to any shows, or seen anything of life so far because it might be a bit of a shock to her system.

The age wouldn't put me off.

^^^ This basically. My girly (profile pic) came to me just-backed as a 4yo and I knew she'd been well done as it was a friend.

Don't know whether you're "into" the Natural Horsemanship thing or not; but if you're not, then don't let that put you off. Neither should you be starry-eyed about it: as not all "natural horsemanship" is what it might appear to be.......

I think this mare is deffo worth a viewing. Go and see her, see how the chemistry is between you, and ask a few questions. But be prepared for the fact she may be snapped up quickly.

 

[sportsmansB]

I guess it boils down to whether you will have the time to build her into the horse you wanted.
Doing all the 'firsts' is time consuming and challenging - first show, first course of fences, first solo hack, etc - as they all need to be built towards in a consistent way to give the best chance of success. If you can't commit this to her then its not responsible to take it on, as the experiences stick with her for the rest of her life.

Saying that I think if they are broken late (or turned away and done nothing after earlier breaking) they can be more sensible and life-adjusted in the longer term.
Definitely worth a viewing, and maybe a longer term arragement with a professional to do say 2 days a week and you do 3 days?
Also worth considering lifestyle- will she be able to live out / have lots of turnout, if she can't have hard work, especially over winter?

 

[sbloom]

If you'd buy and have the skills to bring on a just backed 4 or 5 year old then absolutely, if you wouldn't, then the horse being 6 won't make enough of a difference in most cases IMO. It'd not put me off, it being backed "late" but it won't have built up the bone density, posture and strength that a horse that was backed earlier and brought on really slowly would have.

 

[tristar]

some horses have been here before, and fire off from the word go, regardless of age

if she is keen and moves forward well and is sensible she will be no problem

the older ones often have a better balance, stopped growing so much, so you start schooling quietly sooner

 

[Flyermc]

it would not put me off.

i bought (for my first ever horse) a 4 year old just back welsh D when i was 17 and to be honest (looking back) knew every little about horses other than riding lessons! i also lived away at college in the week, so for the first 2 years of his ridden life was just weekends and college hols. He was the best pony and we lost him 17.5 years later.

Go and see the pony, some dont need constant riding.

 

[PeterNatt]

Absolutely No Way as you have a restricyed time and a toddler and you can not afford to be out of action. What you need is a proven 100% reliable established horse that knows it's job and is totally safe.

 

[Leandy]

Absolutely No Way as you have a restricyed time and a toddler and you can not afford to be out of action. What you need is a proven 100% reliable established horse that knows it's job and is totally safe.

Ouch! Would you say this to a man??

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Absolutely No Way as you have a restricyed time and a toddler and you can not afford to be out of action. What you need is a proven 100% reliable established horse that knows it's job and is totally safe.

Quite right. Who do these mothers think they are? Wandering around having fun like they're actual real people. I think the OP would be better off taking up a more suitable hobby altogether, maybe needlepoint.