Am I ready for a youngster?

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Annsboroughlady

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I'm 14, I have a 16.2 TB exracehorse who I reschooled last summer. My mare isn't an easy ride according to my mom but I did manage to get her going in an outline in walk,trot and canter. I have been riding for 4 years as this mare was my first horse and we have brought eachother on heaps however, recently we discovered that her times on the track left her with arthritis in the hocks so she can only do light work with no collection. Despite her arthritis we are keeping her as we cannot bare to part with her. The other week my riding instructor said she was breaking Jack (a friend of ours's youngster) and asked if we are interested. He is very laid back but I am just wondering if I'm ready for a youngster? I think I am but I don't want to get him and then ruin him. Opinions on whether or not you think I am ready and things to consider about getting a youngster. I know they require time,patience and experience but am really keen to get a project. (By the way, he has had the basics done -6 weeks of schooling with my instructor-)
 
Imo probably not. I think after 4yrs unless you have someone experienced with youngsters on hand all the time, eg a parent, you'd struggle. And I also don't think its wise to only ride green horses, however good, until you have more experience, I think riding wise you'd benefit from more of a schoolmaster type.
 
When I was a child my best friend, then aged 9, was given a newly backed and very fresh 4 year old NF x - he was lovely and they had a real bond. She was very confident around him and rode him well, he didn't much like anyone else riding him. I think it depends on the horse and how you get along with him. After all, as with anything, you can have a wonderful 4 year old and a terrible 10 year old. I don't think it comes down to just rider age really.
 
Hello Annsboroughlady :)

Have you riden the youngster ? It's hard to say for an outsider to be honest.
I had been riding for 8 years before taking on a 3 year old ( at 13 years of age) with my mum AND instructor, and it was no walk in the park.
Only you can know, with a youngster, everything is more complicated, and can be enough to put a lot of people off.
 
I'm 33 got my first horse at 4 years old has horses ever since, always competed , starting at pony club through to riding club the affiliated , bought a 4 year old not long back 17hh Oldenburg gelding - biggest mistake I ever made. Landed up in hospital getting operation and skin grafts to leg after accident on him, have had to spend a couple of grand on professionals help to school him and help bring him on. Wished I'd just got a 6 year old that someone had already done the work with . So IMO at 14 years old , absolutely not. Take heed from me, I learnt the hard and sore way.
 
My first proper horse (I rode as a chlld but then had a break) was an unbacked 4yo Irish x TB. I guess it worked out as I still have the old bat (and her daughter) 27 years later.
 
Hmmmm, i think after only 4 years of riding, no. Unless you have a knowledgable parent/instructor on hand 24/7.
I've been riding almost 10 years and i'm 17 in a month. I have just bought a 4y/o who was backed last year through the winter but needs bringing on but i have my instructor along the road and regluar lessons and she is schooling him for me while im away.

I'd get a schoolmaster and get some experience before hand
 
It all depends on the youngster, if your instructor recommended it, that is a mega plus, and if you are prepared to take lessons and are prepared to be patient, and work though the proper methods, then have a look at it.
Young horses teach you so much, and the sense of achievement is great, most good 14 year old riders can manage a well backed youngster, the scarce resource is the 14 year old who can ride well, and take instruction.
 
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i dont see why you wouldnt be ready. Re training an ex racer is a great achievement, you have knowledgable people around you on hand to give advice and support.
people may think im lying here, but i broke in and bought on my first pony when i had been riding only 5 months. i was confident, had read an awful lot and had helped with other youngsters and had alot of guidance from others. i then got another 3 months later and sold her on making a £1000 profit overall.
As long as you are calm, confident and quiet and willing to take things slowly, it shouldnt be bad for the pony. you should understand there may be some problems arise but find ways to work through it - just like with ex racers. (i aso had an ex racer last year).

Go for it, obviously this person trusts you.
 
The problem being is you get a good well behaved youngster then great - happy days, as some may well of had and think its all great etc but if and when the s*** hits the fan that's when you could be in trouble. Youngster can turn them selves inside out and it's easy to end up seriously hurt. I'm sorry but no way would I allow my teenage kid ( if I had one) anywhere near a young green horse - a pony maybe yeah, but not a horse. It's just not worth the risk, I think backing and bringing on horses should be left to pro's and people with youngster experience and is not for Amatures to practise on, that's why there is so many spoilt horses out there, but hey maybe I'm just sinicle due to a bad experience.
 
yes there are people out there that may mess up a horse, there are many out there that think they are able to do it and so buy themselves a young horse expecting to ride it like a horse whos been there and done it.
BUT OP's instructor obviously thinks she is up to the job, she wouldnt have mentioned it otherwise. She has been riding for 4 years, a year less than i have and i have broken in and schooled youngsters (ones that come over from Ireland pretty much unhandled). I did the first couple with alot of help and support which i am sure the OP is going to get.

Everyone has got to start somewhere, how do the 'pro's' get to where they are now otherwise?

please be aware, i am not some silly kid trying to ride youngsters when i only have 5years experience. i am a yard manager and instructor on a BHS approved yard and have exams such as BET Ride Leader with UKCC L2 and NVQ's etc - if you have the right attitude, anything is possible.
 
Each to there own but I been riding horse for 29 years , always getting regular lessons , thought with the help of a Instrutor I'd manage to bring on my boy but although I have ridden for years I'd never ridden a youngster and did not know how to handle and ride one, I ended up in hospital , instructor or no instructor no one could of prevented that, everyone around me also thought I was more than capable but when it comes down to it, inexperienced and horses can be a bad mix. Maybe u have been lucky , got easy youngsters maybe I was silly taking on a well bred warmblood , i know I won't try that one again. I learnt the hard way .
 
Tbh I don't think its a case of whether op can manage or not with an easy youngster. My 7yr old backed her pony last spring when they were 6 & 4 respectively, with me on hand for every step. But the reason a green pony hasn't slowed down her progress is because its not the only one she rides. She also has my schoolmistress & various other older ponies too. So unless op has use of a schoolmaster a few times a week I don't think longterm with only 4yrs experience its the best thing for riding progression, regardless of how easy or good the youngster is.
 
Like everyone else say it depends on the horse and your ability. I have backed and trained a youngster when i was 15 and my current horse is a 6yo that knows very little but I was lucky as with my first youngster I had constant help and advise by my trainer. Are you able to get access to help when you need it? I believe that a youngster can be a real challenge if you haven't experienced young horses before as they can behave very differently and a lot of what you will need to learn and do is new, I hope this helps!
 
You may well be, it sounds like you do have the right attitude...the sheer fact you you are openminded and concerned about 'ruining' the horse would suggest to me that you will seek advice when needed and plan well.

I think it may be worth considering whether you want to spend the time needed on a youngster....showing them everything, taking everything slowly, lots of little things that you may not even consider...just think it through carefully...it does depend on the temperament and your level of patience and time, it sounds like you would like to progress in your riding and with a youngster that will be a long way off.
 
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