Backed, but turned away...

Lippyx

Lippyx

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I am looking for a backed 4/5 yrs old, to hopefully do some dressage, and possibly showing.
I wanted to ask, although I have had some experience with backing a horse (used to work on a yard who would take in babies to back, and being small, was always the "chosen one" to sit on them!!) I don't have much knowledge of how much to do when they are coming back into work after being "turned away".

I have found a Connie for sale, 5 yrs old, thats been backed, and turned away, but now needs bringing back into work, but at present is being sold from the field.
Would it be worth a look? How easy is it to "re-back" a horse thats been turned away?

Please don't tell me I don't know what I'm doing etc, as like I say, I helped back horses, but then they would go back to their owners, who would school them on, so never really got envolved with the re-backing process, if you see what I mean.

I just want your experiences on how easy it was for you :)
 
If my youngster is anything to go by for other horses, bringing a turned away horse back into work is very much like backing a horse in the first place, except that they will learn a little faster.

Please remember that what people describe as 'backing and turning away' could be anything, they could have backed the horse and brought them on in all three paces before turning away, bit of hacking etc, or alternatively they could have just sat on them.

You need to be prepared to go from the very beginning again in other words!

Good luck and I hope you find the horse for you xx
 
I would say its worth having a look. Definately ask what the horse was like to be backed and when you go see how they react to you bouncing up and down next to them and if possible lie or lean across.
It really depends on the horse and if you have any help available if things do go a bit pear shaped. The last horse I bought was an unbroken 5yr welsh D who was a sweet heart to break. After lunging and long lining for a week I got on her back and she didn't bat an eyelid.
 
I would agree the term 'backed' is fairly loose as well, some people have said that a horse is backed when its had tack and been leant over - I back and re-school and school horses on and my term for backed would be a horse i've got on and ridden at walk - I term a 'broken' horse one that can walk, trot and canter independently without any other assistance and is responding to the aids.
I would agree with the post above though that actually re-backing a horse depending on how well its been backed in the first place is usually like doing it again but just the fact they may pick it up a little quicker with less of a fight (depending on the brain of the horse too!:rolleyes:
 
StormyGale said:
I would agree the term 'backed' is fairly loose as well, some people have said that a horse is backed when its had tack and been leant over - I back and re-school and school horses on and my term for backed would be a horse i've got on and ridden at walk - I term a 'broken' horse one that can walk, trot and canter independently without any other assistance and is responding to the aids.
I would agree with the post above though that actually re-backing a horse depending on how well its been backed in the first place is usually like doing it again but just the fact they may pick it up a little quicker with less of a fight (depending on the brain of the horse too!:rolleyes:
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Agree with this. A lot of people don't tend to use the term 'broken' anymore though.
 
As said, backed & turned away can mean anything from 'sat on in a headcollar while my mate led me across the yard' to been lunged, long reined & lightly hacked, now needs a brief recap before real schooling starts. In general one that's been backed & turned away is pretty much like backing initially but with quicker progress.
 
I think it's better to assume nothing has been done with it, especially if you're experienced in backing anyway. One of mine was bought as 'backed, turned away and ready to be brought on'...when in actuality she'd been sat on for a photo (she's remarkably unflappable and I doubt she even noticed :p) and hadn't even seen a headcollar.

If you're experienced then treat as if backing for the first time :)
 
Hi fabio and Freddy I totally agree term 'broken' isn't really used but just wanted to make the definition a bit clearer lol brain went blank and thought I should try and be fairly clear not one of my strong points usually lol.
 
littlelegs said:
As said, backed & turned away can mean anything from 'sat on in a headcollar while my mate led me across the yard' to been lunged, long reined & lightly hacked, now needs a brief recap before real schooling starts. In general one that's been backed & turned away is pretty much like backing initially but with quicker progress.
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This, and you've no idea whether they have been backed 'well' or not.. Be prepared to go back to absolute basics if needed :)
 
StormyGale said:
Hi fabio and Freddy I totally agree term 'broken' isn't really used but just wanted to make the definition a bit clearer lol brain went blank and thought I should try and be fairly clear not one of my strong points usually lol.
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Know what you meant!! Fabio was 'broken' when i bought him (walk, trot canter and hack sensibly) but a lot of people use the term backed and turned away even though as others have said could mean as little as literally sat on or anything up to 'broken'! Don't think i'd take on one as green now though!
 
The advert for the one OP is watching says it is a private seller but the second, from the same seller, says it is a trade seller. I would be cautious as it seems a bit good to be true. I would expect them as dealers to get it riding again as it would sell for a lot more. Makes you wonder why not. On first imressions though it looks like a good horse for a great price. May be worth a look but go with eyes wide open and definitely vet.
 
I would keep my eyes WIDE open when buying a 5yo out of the field.
If it's nice, why aren't they working it?? They can't use lack if experience as an excuse if they managed to get it backed. They would get more money for it even riding it 3 times a week, so why aren't they??

It may be absolutely legit, but I am v wary if things like this, and it could well have soundness issues, an iffy temperament, or been badly backed and then scared them so they've just turfed it out.

So be very careful and ask LOTS of questions
 
For a connemara!?! They go for ££££'s and considering this one is over height for showing and just backed I think that's about right.

OP considering that it's been XC schooling I think you could assume that the pony has been fully backed and just needs a quick re-cap and then bringing on.

ETA: just seen second ad and agree slightly overpriced, but the first is definitely not which is the one I was referring to. Having said that the second one is very nice!
 
I'd go & look but very cautiously. It's a bit too cheap considering very little work could have increased its value a lot.
The second is nice too, but makes me more suspicious about the price of the first.
 
Could be worth a look.

5 is quite late to have just been backed and then turned away - however it should mean that you have a lovely strong pony that can get on with its schooling and start competing.

Find out who broke it in and how long ago. If the job was well done then it takes little time to get back into work. Find out why they are selling.

Start back on the lunging, watch the reaction to the saddle and have someone there when you hop on for the first time.
 
Yes, I noticed that one advert stated Trader and the othe Private, seems a weird. The second one is lovely, but not cheap, considering it is "over height". Shame, as they are lovely. Never mind!

I have found a lovely mare, real show type, and to top it off, she was bred, backed and being ridden at the local Equine College I use to attend, so I know she would have been brought up to text book! She is a good price (£3000 ono) considering she is such a gorgeous sort, but I dont quite have all the funds together yet! :(
 
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