Approx costs of breaking in a youngster

Shellby27

Shellby27

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I am looking for someone to break Alfie and Summer next year. I have decided to have Alfie gelded this autumn and they will both be 4 in July 2013. I have done alot of work with them so far and I will continue to throughout this year so they will be basically backed. I feel I don't have the experience to fully break them and my riding is quite rusty so my plan of action is to get fit and have lessons and have the horses broken next year. I feel they are such lovely animals that they deserve to be broken professionally.

Any recommendations in the Hampshire/Berkshire area? What costs am I looking at? Do you think I would get any deals for having two broke at the same time?
In my head I was looking at a 6 week period for both horses, but I realise each horse has different needs. They will both be family "happy hackers" with maybe the occasional local show.
 
From previous threads, I believe backing can cost between £80 - £150 per week.
Not sure about deals for having two, as they'll both need x amount of work, so ie. livery, you may get x amount off from having a second horse on grass livery, its no extra work for the YO. If you don't ask, you won't get!

A few previous threads:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=472951&highlight=breaking+backing+cost
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=434930&highlight=breaking+backing+cost
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=440106&highlight=breaking+backing+cost
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=427413&highlight=breaking+backing+cost

hope this helps :)
 
I think your plan sounds very sensible. I would factor in continuing having lessons on them after they are broken so that you get help in how to keep their education moving on...

The above poster's cost estimates are good, and your 6wks is plenty. I've worked at yards where things have come to be broken in two weeks in the past. A month is fine, but six weeks would give you a couple of weeks to be able to go and have lessons on them afterwards.. It wouldn't hurt to ask if you could get a better rate for sending two, but many places probably wouldn't..

Good luck.x
 
Honey08 said:
It wouldn't hurt to ask if you could get a better rate for sending two, but many places probably wouldn't..
Click to expand...

I always offer a small discount on each if two come together because there ARE savings (in time with owner's visits, 'phone or e-mail updates etc.)

But there ios a further saving for the owner in sending 2 together as it's one trip to visit 2 - and petrol is a big factor these days!
 
There are no savings with backing 2 from same home - when we backed/rebacked /stood a stallion I was always appalled when people tried to get things on the cheap with deals for extra horses.
The backer still has the same amount of work to do - which is specialised and at times can be dangerous .
Budget for £500 each.
Remember everyone will call themselves a professional; ask to watch them working young horses and show you examples of oldr horses that have ben through their hands.
Useful rules
1) Ask to be there whenever they work your horses. If they say no- walk away. You probably wont be there all the time , but at least you know the backer is 'kosher' enough to allow you to watch.
2) If the horse becomes different eg loses weight, gets nervous - take him away asap.Never accept excuses that its normal to lose weight or confidence - it shouldnt happen.A well backed horse will grow in confidnece and presence.
3)Experience counts - be very wary of anyone younger than 30!
and the best of luck
 
I used someone called lotti crocker based in reading she was £50 a week at grass. I was very impressed. if you enter her name in google she has a website you can always pm me any questions u have about how mine came back.
 
I backed puz at home in the end-under the instruction of a lady who helped with EVERYTHING! £10 initially when we just got on and walked around then got off, and £15 now we're doing a bit more than that.

So, all in all I spent about £40 a week, took 4 weeks but only riding 3 times a week.

I'm really novicey but I couldn't afford to send her away fully, when I had bedding and hay and a field here! Worked out really well as Puz was where she felt comfortable too.

You'll be suprised what you can do on your 'own'-if you can sit quietly, you'll be fine-Puz hasn't put a foot wrong!! X
 
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