Backing 3/4yr olds

[ElvisandTilly]

I think I might have seen your lad today when I went to Guy's to visit my little Highland. He is gorgeous and looked very content there!

Aww how lovely! Is your highland in the stable opposite? Your highland is gorgeous too and has such a kind eye . How is everything progressing? My lad is coming on so well and Guy is so calm and doing an amazing job! Bailey has just started his 4th week.

 

[maya2008]

Yesterday, the youngster I was leading decided, half way down a hill in walk, to squeal and reverse into my pony, kicking. No reason that anyone could see, a second before we were all picking our way quietly down a grassy hill. Mine was too stunned to react - I swung her out of the way, let out the lead rope so they were a good distance apart and then verbally told off the little madam, whip transferred to her side for threat. She then decided if she was clearly not allowed to beat up my mare, she’d try to get the one behind her - so we had to ride home with me holding her back enough her back legs were away from my mare, my son boxing her in from behind with his whip stretched out to stop her falling back and trying to kick. Which she tried twice, and got a tap on the bottom twice to send her forwards.

When we got home I remembered another similar youngster, who kicked up an almighty fuss on the lead when she felt ready for an off lead rider. So I popped my son on her. Lo and behold they made it up and down and round the track by the field just fine on their own in walk, trot and canter! That’s that one backed then!

 

[ihatework]

Yesterday, the youngster I was leading decided, half way down a hill in walk, to squeal and reverse into my pony, kicking. No reason that anyone could see, a second before we were all picking our way quietly down a grassy hill. Mine was too stunned to react - I swung her out of the way, let out the lead rope so they were a good distance apart and then verbally told off the little madam, whip transferred to her side for threat. She then decided if she was clearly not allowed to beat up my mare, she’d try to get the one behind her - so we had to ride home with me holding her back enough her back legs were away from my mare, my son boxing her in from behind with his whip stretched out to stop her falling back and trying to kick. Which she tried twice, and got a tap on the bottom twice to send her forwards.

When we got home I remembered another similar youngster, who kicked up an almighty fuss on the lead when she felt ready for an off lead rider. So I popped my son on her. Lo and behold they made it up and down and round the track by the field just fine on their own in walk, trot and canter! That’s that one backed then!

What a madam!
All the girls here are seemingly having their first obvious season, lots of hormones in the air!

 

[Ambers Echo]

Mylo has been largely left alone since last summer. By 2 he had learned what he needs to know before backing including picking me up from the mounting block with draw cues and standing still while I faff about on the block rubbing him all over etc.

Today I pulled him out of the field to start the saddling process. Ran through all the groundwork patterns again and he’s remembered it all. Then started saddling: pad on and off, on his neck/bum, chucked on him from a few feet away. Couldn’t have cared less. Surcingle done up nice and snug. Then finally saddle. He was more or less asleep . I’ll carry on with in hand walks in tack. He needs bitting too & Joe is using him in a demo on fitting a young horse’s first bit based on mouth shape etc. That’s in April. I think he’d happily accept a rider but he needs a fair few more months to grow first. He still looks like such a baby! Felix was a lot more physically solid at this age. But both seem to have Amber’s level headedness. If Mylo also has her jump he could be an awesome event horse! I’ve already seen that he has his dad’s floaty trot. It’s exciting….