Backing 3/4yr olds

[Hopelessly horsey]

So lovely seeing everyone's progress. Madam had a lovely long break over the summer and I'm very pleased to report she has come back A LOT more forward under saddle and has absolutely blossomed. We have been to our first arena hire and popped a few small fences as well as going to her first inhand show. Very much looking forward to what adventures next year will bring

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I tried to find this thread the other day but couldn't so posted in the weekend thread. This is the last month of Bean being officially 4 (although she turns 5 next may).

Last weekend we went out for our first clinic. She was a little stressed from travelling so more practice there required (she did travel home much better). Was pretty hot to start but soon settled down and did some great work! I am so pleased with her, I know a pro rider could probably be competing her novice or something by now, but that doesn't matter to me. We are on a weather break at the moment but hope to do more trips soon!

She looks nice and forward! How long has she been backed/ridden for now?

Love reading everyones progress.. can't believe in a couple of weeks they'll be classed as 5yos. Time flies Will have to dig out pictures, my mare looks so different to the gangly 3yo I bought unseen from Ireland. She has just started ridden walk work out hacking (well was, before all the snow). She was suppose to have until week after Christmas off (which would be 2 months) but shes just become to firey to handle and lead in from the field. Plus regularly doing laps around the field!

 

[SEL]

She looks nice and forward! How long has she been backed/ridden for now?

Love reading everyones progress.. can't believe in a couple of weeks they'll be classed as 5yos. Time flies Will have to dig out pictures, my mare looks so different to the gangly 3yo I bought unseen from Ireland. She has just started ridden walk work out hacking (well was, before all the snow). She was suppose to have until week after Christmas off (which would be 2 months) but shes just become to firey to handle and lead in from the field. Plus regularly doing laps around the field!

Mine will be entering his 5th year looking particularly gangly! He seems to have grown an big bottom and forgotten his chest. But he is also doing laps around the field and very much needs a job.

 

[shortstuff99]

She looks nice and forward! How long has she been backed/ridden for now?

Love reading everyones progress.. can't believe in a couple of weeks they'll be classed as 5yos. Time flies Will have to dig out pictures, my mare looks so different to the gangly 3yo I bought unseen from Ireland. She has just started ridden walk work out hacking (well was, before all the snow). She was suppose to have until week after Christmas off (which would be 2 months) but shes just become to firey to handle and lead in from the field. Plus regularly doing laps around the field!

Thank you!

I backed her end of August and we have pootled about since as and when

 

[Caol Ila]

Still pottering through the world’s slowest backing process. Doing short sessions on lead (usually OH holding the rope) and introducing the steering, forwards, and stopping aids.

 

[ihatework]

The Turnip has just finished another short stint of adulting. Hacked about a bit. Learnt to pop a little fence off the lunge. Did a little in-hand playing, learnt LY/SI/HI.

Getting turfed back out on the hill this week until spring arrives.

 

[Caol Ila]

Hermosa had a busy week. First time off the lead rein and first ridden (on the lead) hack in the park. She took it all in her stride. A good way to end the year, I think.

 

[Caol Ila]

Continuing onwards slowly.

She understands the riding thing much better when we are hacking. Sometimes she's still a little baffled in the school. Trying to get out when we can, but it's been either icy or pishing down. Today, however, was lovely.

 

[maya2008]

Continuing onwards slowly.

She understands the riding thing much better when we are hacking. Sometimes she's still a little baffled in the school. Trying to get out when we can, but it's been either icy or pishing down. Today, however, was lovely.

Hacking makes so much more sense to a horse - we’ve backed the last few with no school and it’s been just the easiest experience. They love going out to explore, they completely understand going forwards following the track, and it’s just a pleasant, happy experience for all concerned. Latest one threw a strop in the field yesterday because we went out without her - it’s that much fun! Schools, going round in circles, with corners… why? Just why?

 

[Caol Ila]

Hacking makes so much more sense to a horse - we’ve backed the last few with no school and it’s been just the easiest experience. They love going out to explore, they completely understand going forwards following the track, and it’s just a pleasant, happy experience for all concerned. Latest one threw a strop in the field yesterday because we went out without her - it’s that much fun! Schools, going round in circles, with corners… why? Just why?

Necessity and daylight, unfortunately. There were about two weeks in December where it chucked it down every day, so we did a fair bit of work in the indoor. And you would think finding hacking companions at a big, busy yard next door to an amazing trail system would be easy. It is not. It's surprising how many people there don't hack.

Our most reliable hacking buddy is OH on foot, but he usually works 9-5 from Monday to Friday, which is useless at this time of year.

 

[maya2008]

Toddling out hacking today with one coming back into work, one on the lead who’s learning about life before being backed and…

Little Welsh filly (rising 4), first time she’s had a proper saddle on (was in a Thorn pad), toddling along behind me on a fairly loose rein, small child singing and swinging her legs, gesturing at things and basically just being a novicey kid. Pony completely unphased, keeping an eye on child so she doesn’t fall off and following the group. This pony has been backed for 2.5 months. Nomination for sainthood right there!!!

Technically I should sell her, as the Shetland is coming back into work and she was bought to do the Shetland’s job when I was giving up on her ever coming sound. But she is SO sweet, and keen and loving, I feel she may end up staying until neither of the kids fit on her any more!

 

[Caol Ila]

I've been rubbish at updating.

We are putzing onwards. Hermosa has now done a few hacks up to 45/50 minutes. Mostly walk, some trot. She's done some short leads. Yesterday, the penny dropped about trotting in the arena, and we had a few lovely transitions. Today, we had out first 'solo hack.' Okay, it was about five minutes out, fifteen minutes back, along a short stretch of the yard's gallop track. Yes, the back was longer. She got stuck at a scary, temporary sign for the car park. Had I jumped off, we could have got passed the sign in a second since she will follow her human through fire. But she wasn't panicking, she wasn't rearing or spinning or doing anything stupid. She was just planting, staring at the sign. But not so worried that she could not learn. I decided to use it as a training opportunity - it is possible to go past scary things with your rider. A human on your back is as good as one in front of your nose. It really is. We spent about ten minutes staring at the sign and backing up a little, but then she manned up and went for it after some gentle urging. Go us.

Last week, she had a nice walk with Fin, who was being ridden by a friend whose horse has been on box rest.

 

[Caol Ila]

Is it just me updating this thread now?

Ach well. Today, we had out first real test of our ridden leading skills. Went out on a hack with Fin (ridden by a friend) and another horse. Neither Fin nor Hacking Buddy are reliable lead horses. When we have gone out as a pair, someone invitably has to get off and lead on foot, because Hacking Buddy won't stay in front. Fin will, until he sees something scary. Then Hacking Buddy says, "If he's not going, then I'm not going." And there we are.

Hermosa has been practicing leading, but always with someone (either a foot soldier or another horse) who could take over if she got too worried. This was her first time out with horses who were unlikely to do that.

Guess who babysat the two ridiculous older guys? The four-year old who's been backed for about six weeks. She planted a couple times when she saw something weird. Fin bravely swung the lead at a rubble bag in a field, then changed his mind about ten seconds later, but Hermosa was able to retake it easily. Mostly, she just went along happily and let me unstick her the odd time when she paused to look at something.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Ah well done Coal Ila!

There hasn’t been much to update over here with the winter break. However, all systems are go for the raising four year old Beryl!

One week in from some ground work, to long lining, to leaning over, to hacking back out she’s so clever!

 

[chaps89]

Ah well done Coal Ila!

There hasn’t been much to update over here with the winter break. However, all systems are go for the raising four year old Beryl!

One week in from some ground work, to long lining, to leaning over, to hacking back out she’s so clever!

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I love her! So excited to see how she turns out

 

[shortstuff99]

Looks great everyone! The Spanish baby Bean is now 5 years old so I've moved from this thread now .

But we are back riding after our fall and all going okay so far.

 

[ihatework]

Nothing to update here - I’m awaiting warmer weather and more daylight!

 

[Caol Ila]

Is Bean five or "five?"

I am going with Hermosa's actual birthday, rather than her racehorse birthday, which means she will join the five-year old in June.

 

[shortstuff99]

Is Bean five or "five?"

I am going with Hermosa's actual birthday, rather than her racehorse birthday, which means she will join the five-year old in June.

Yes good point! She is 5 beginning of May so I still have a couple of months

In that case a picture of Bean filling out...a lot...

 

[Caol Ila]

She looks good. Definitely past the awkward baby stage! I should get a good confo shot of Hermosa. She seems to be wearing a hi-vis quarter sheet in most of my photos these days so hard to tell what she looks like!

 

[windand rain]

Cost of living and old age have pretty much called a halt to kitten's education she is very hairy and content

 

[j1ffy]

Cost of living and old age have pretty much called a halt to kitten's education she is very hairy and content View attachment 107734

She looks very content, what a tail! A bit of time off won't do her any harm.

 

[maya2008]

Well…daughter’s pony is feeling much more energetic, stronger and feistier these days! She keeps up cantering with daughter (who was yelling ‘woohoo!’ in delight the other day) and is decidedly ornery for son to ride. At least she knows who to take her newfound strength out on! She was playing quite roughly with son’s gelding this morning, so at least she’s getting some of her energy out in the field.

Darling little Welsh filly (rising 4yo) went for a whole hack this morning in front, on the bit (with loopy reins so that was her choice!) and was named ‘easiest pony to ride ever’ by my son. Honestly, her extreme wonderfulness is slightly unnatural - we love her to pieces though!

Son’s pony needs to graduate to the other thread - he goes on the bit in all paces now and is working on more adult stuff.

Newest feral one is being led out, finding the world decidedly not scary but humans still terrifying.

 

[GreyDot]

Long time lurker, first time poster (to this thread, at least)

Am very excited about 2023 for my youngster, who is 3 in a matter of weeks. Have had him since he was 10 months old. Taking it totally as it comes, but starting to take him on in-hand walks, getting used to tack, waiting for the dentist before I bit him, but he has had a saddle on a few times and hasn't batted an eye lid.

Currently standing at 15.2hh and bum high. Looking forward to the next year of 'first-time-ever' moments.

 

[Caol Ila]

We had our first major spook in two months of ridden work. Not bad! There was a bogey in the corner of the outdoor. Even my friend's been-there-done-that bombproof gelding was freaking out at the bogey. Hermosa had been tense going around that corner, but we'd kind of managed it a few times during that session. Suddenly, she leapt sideways. I think the weird feeling of spooking with a rider surprised and scared her, so she went into instinctive panic mode and took off bucking across the arena. I stayed put and finally pulled her up in the middle of the school. We dusted ourselves off and got back to doing what we were doing. She did not stay wound up, which made me very happy. We finished the session with a little bit more trot work, then me leading her in-hand to the bogey corner and giving her a treat there.

 

[Caol Ila]

Here’s Hermosa sort of stood up today. She’s so fine compared to everything else on the yard. I’m paranoid about breaking her.

She hacked for about an hour today. All in walk. Up and down some hills.

 

[windand rain]

Gosh she's looking great and much more mature

 

[Caol Ila]

Yeah, she definitely looks like a horse now. She's put on a lot of muscle since starting ridden work.

 

[shortstuff99]

Yeah, she definitely looks like a horse now. She's put on a lot of muscle since starting ridden work.

She looks pretty chunky to me! Looking lovely.

 

[monte1]

I hope it is Ok for me to join this thread now as my homebred chap will be three in May, ( I have no idea where the time has gone !) he lives out pretty much 24/7 with my other riding horse, will happily be left on his own in field and is happy in stable if need be, he moved fields a few times as a very young foal and yearling so is good travelling box/trailer. has been bitted when we did one in hand show as a yearling. leads and ties up, does feet etc, I popped a roller on him a few weeks ago with no drama and a saddle last week, again he wasn't at all worried- i have lead him in-hand around the fields a few times and he does seem to enjoy a change of scenery, He is very bright, learns fast and can still challenge me occasionally when i am not paying attention but he is a generally a kind soul. i am in no rush to back him but will do a few bits during the summer and see if it warrants doing backing this year, literally, lean over sit on and lead about, before he gets to big, he is at least 15.2hh now and his full brother is about 16.2hh and rising 5. I want him to go away to someone far better than me for his initial ridden education and plan to do that next year when he turns 4.