Advice please on how long to break-in pony.

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canteron

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Against all sensible advice/available time/husband I am thinking of 'rescuing' a 13hh pony.

Everyone who sees him agrees he is pretty and a beautiful nature, who would love a proper job, but at 9 has done nothing. He is the stamp of pony who could take small adult or child and will I think be a good safe jumping pony.

I have a really good rider who would like the project of doing the riding side and as he would live at home, I would be able to do all the lunging/longreining/stable manners side of thing.

Am I being overly ambitious in thinking if we get everything right we could be looking for a new home in May or June (We would be completely honest about him, the whole project is about getting a good life for him), or does he really need a year before we could hand on heart trust expect someone to trust their child with him.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP!
 
I have broken in a 14hh gelding. I brought him just over a year ago, and only now would i say he is ready to go.

It completely depends on what the horse has done, e.g handling wise. But in all honesty, a horse 0f 9yrs is going to take more than a couple of months to break in, and being that small, most likely have a child rider, be completely safe.

I would say, a year is more of an accurate time scale

x
 
It depends, you cant set a time to it. It depends on his past, how quickly he learns, how you teach it etc etc.
A favourite quote of mine, I *think* its from Monty Roberts,
Go at it like you've got half an hour, it'll take for ever.
Go at it like you've got for ever, it'll take half an hour..
 
I have just 'finished' breaking an 11yo 13.1hh NF pony. He was a challenge to be honest.

He was bought as a yearling off the Forest and just left in a field for 8 years and had nothing done to him apart from being caught for the 'nasties' of worming and feet trimming. It has taken 18 months from him coming to me and lots of very slow progress. Having feet done was a nightmare the first couple of times and the first dentist visit resulted in almost every Spanish Riding School movement being displayed in a stable!!

Only now do I feel that he is submissive and quiet enough to go to a new home. He is not suitable for children as is very opinionated at times and very strong, physically and mentally. He is going to an experienced small adult who is happy to take things slowly and be firm with him. He has the most expressive floating paces and moves like a dream which is why I was prepared to give him a second chance instead of him going to the meatman.

Just be prepared to take things slowly and be prepared that you may have more resistance (sometimes over a much prolonged period of time) than the younger ones. They know their own minds when they're older and can (not always though) have a real 'you can't make me' attitude. But having said all of that, I've had others at 8 and 9 yrs that have been an absolute breeze and very laid back. Hope that yours is one of those ;).
 
As others have said, it really depends on how he takes to it all, his nature and your expereince to overcome any potential issues.

If done correctly, it would be possible to turn him into a nice hack in 6 months, but for him to establish balance/canter/striding in order for him to be able to jump correctly and safely - especially with a child would be questionable.

My gelding took 6 months from first lunging and handling to some semi-reasonable school work as he has taken his time to mature and I have no way rushed him. He is a superb hack now; but his jumping needs more established canter work and he can find it difficult to see a stride; but above everything else he enjoys himself! I would no way put a novice on him to jump (or a child if he was a smaller model).

So maybe possible, but I would aim lower. Good luck :).
 
As said above - it depends on the individual horse or pony - some can be backed and ready to ride away in a matter of days - others months and you still have to be very careful.

If he is a very laid back chappie - it may be a very quick process. That said I am always a little wary of horses/ponies that get to that age and have never been touched. It may well be that someone has tried in the past and either cocked it up, or that he grows horns when a saddle appears! A friend of mine was caught like that with a stunning 13.2 9yo palomino gelding. He turned out to be the most challenging little sod out there. He is now backed, but will never be suitable for a child and is petrified to the point of being dangerous in even the lightest traffic!

If you know what you are doing, and he is cheap and all goes according to plan then there is no reason at all why you couldn't turn him round in that time.:)
 
Oh la, this is such a difficult one. Can't bear to see such a good natured pony with such a horrible owner and would love it to have a great life.

Any good stories of little ponies who have been turned around quickly (to tell my husband!)
Obviously, will put pony's interest first, but can't believe it is in current situation!
 
What is the ponys temperament? How much has he done up to date (handling wise)?

I took 2-3 months of all of the groundwork/lunging etc before sitting on my pony. This was reminding her of all the groundwork etc that she had previously done.
It's takien 6 months of spending time with/grooming etc to get to the point of being able to start with bitting my young one.

They all have different timeframes as above and what will happen if you put all the work etc in and then the little chap doesn't sell? Looking at the horses that are out there and a lot of nice ones aren't selling (this may change in Spring but what if it doesn't)?

You need to weigh up all of your options first. Good luck and hope the pony's current situation isn't too bad.
 
If she is good to handle, isn't fazed by good solid pats over her back and wither area - can cope with the kids running around without batting an eyelid, and she doesn't worry about having her feet and head touched - I'd risk it! If you can put regular work into her then you'll turn her round in no time.

Just tell him it'll be fine!! :D:D
 
Bertthefestivefrog how wise you are!!! Just what I wanted to hear. Yep, pony an angel with kids/traffic, etc. Not so good with things behind it, but that is because it has never had that experience - after say 10mins of working with it though I could stroke its back, so think that would be OK too.

Will check with Jockey she is really committed and then may go for it!!

Hey, can always find another husband, but ponies like this are rare (oops, have I got that the wrong way round?)
 
We have recently backed a 6 1/2 yr old 13hh pony that had been used for breeding so done nothing. She was well handled though which makes a difference.

But i have to say, it was a doddle, within a few weeks and she was only rode a couple of times a week, she was hacking out (with company) walking troting and cantering, i have only schooled her a few times but she was so much better balanced than our 4yr old.

I did kind of feel that with her being that bit older it was a bit easier, as in no baby strops to deal with!

But like i said she was very well handled to start, and we knew her background, ie she really hadnt done anything before.
 
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