Backing 3/4yr olds

[HufflyPuffly]

Beryl update, we’re on week two of being re-started and she went for the longest hack we’ve done so far.

Not too many big hills but she did get to go splash in the river and saw lots more of the world. She’s very cocky until she isn’t, unfortunately we took Topaz with us who decided to be the worst nanny horse ever . Luckily Beryl just ignored the pogo leaping idiot that was Topaz (who is 20 this year ), we’ve no idea what’s got into her so might start a new thread about that one!

Any way back to Beryl, she saw off suspicious looking birds, cats, barky dogs, lots of sheep and cars. We had a couple of trots, pulled up when Topaz tried to disappear off into the distance with mum . Plus she managed the gate back into the yard all by herself after figuring out she had to stand parallel to it and we had our first canter up the track .

 

[j1ffy]

Beryl update, we’re on week two of being re-started and she went for the longest hack we’ve done so far.

Not too many big hills but she did get to go splash in the river and saw lots more of the world. She’s very cocky until she isn’t, unfortunately we took Topaz with us who decided to be the worst nanny horse ever . Luckily Beryl just ignored the pogo leaping idiot that was Topaz (who is 20 this year ), we’ve no idea what’s got into her so might start a new thread about that one!

Any way back to Beryl, she saw off suspicious looking birds, cats, barky dogs, lots of sheep and cars. We had a couple of trots, pulled up when Topaz tried to disappear off into the distance with mum . Plus she managed the gate back into the yard all by herself after figuring out she had to stand parallel to it and we had our first canter up the track .
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I love her baby face in that last photo! Adorable.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I love her baby face in that last photo! Adorable.

She is very cute, if a bit savage when in season not had a mare’ish one before!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Beryl achieved her hacking solo badge today, I’m a very proud pony parent this evening!



She did find it quite tiring bless her .

 

[Caol Ila]

Very pleased with my horses yesterday. I took both on a hack - me on Hermosa and a friend on Fin - and we got stuck in traffic behind another pair of riders from our yard, trailing about 20m behind them. My horses don't really mind that. However, we got to the t-junction where you either go left, to do a short loop on the roads, or go right, which takes you to the park. We were planning on going into the park, but the other party turned onto the short loop. Then their horses spooked. We were far enough back that ours did not, but the cause of the spook was another pair of riders, coming around the corner. They were from one of the yards down a third road that meets at that junction.

The pair from my yard continued on their way. The other guys went down their road, and I said to my friend (who was in front at this point), "Just ride him forward around the corner and hope for the best." 99% of the time, we go right, so Fin did, probably out of habit. Then he realised there were horses everywhere and stopped. I put leg on Hermosa and swung around him. She responded without hesitation or worrying about the horses that had disappeared in different directions. Then we had a perfectly civilized hack around the park.

She also has her own Renegade Vipers now. I think she wants her own saddle. Most days, she's been wearing Fin's TreeFree (as you can see in the photo, taken on Monday) and felt she got the raw end of the deal being stuck with the bareback pad while Fin got the saddle.

Trying to justify buying a saddle in my head. At the moment, Fin only has a rider who hacks out with us once per week. For the other four or five days, she can have Fin's saddle as I can't ride two horses at the same time.

 

[maya2008]

Very pleased with my horses yesterday. I took both on a hack - me on Hermosa and a friend on Fin - and we got stuck in traffic behind another pair of riders from our yard, trailing about 20m behind them. My horses don't really mind that. However, we got to the t-junction where you either go left, to do a short loop on the roads, or go right, which takes you to the park. We were planning on going into the park, but the other party turned onto the short loop. Then their horses spooked. We were far enough back that ours did not, but the cause of the spook was another pair of riders, coming around the corner. They were from one of the yards down a third road that meets at that junction.

The pair from my yard continued on their way. The other guys went down their road, and I said to my friend (who was in front at this point), "Just ride him forward around the corner and hope for the best." 99% of the time, we go right, so Fin did, probably out of habit. Then he realised there were horses everywhere and stopped. I put leg on Hermosa and swung around him. She responded without hesitation or worrying about the horses that had disappeared in different directions. Then we had a perfectly civilized hack around the park.

She also has her own Renegade Vipers now. I think she wants her own saddle. Most days, she's been wearing Fin's TreeFree (as you can see in the photo, taken on Monday) and felt she got the raw end of the deal being stuck with the bareback pad while Fin got the saddle.

Trying to justify buying a saddle in my head. At the moment, Fin only has a rider who hacks out with us once per week. For the other four or five days, she can have Fin's saddle as I can't ride two horses at the same time.

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What about a second hand Torsion or Barefoot for Fin with his once a week rider? Same feeling for him, not quite as good for the rider as your saddle perhaps but fine for one ride. Cheaper than another Tor (I am v jealous of the Tor - would really like one but struggle to justify the cost!).

 

[Caol Ila]

What about a second hand Torsion or Barefoot for Fin with his once a week rider? Same feeling for him, not quite as good for the rider as your saddle perhaps but fine for one ride. Cheaper than another Tor (I am v jealous of the Tor - would really like one but struggle to justify the cost!).

I kinda had a similar thought. Looked at ebay for used TreeFree saddles. I have my eye on a couple auctions. Not Tors but Exmoors or Dartmoors, which would be totally fine for hacking. If the prices jump up to something too stupid in the next few days, then a Torsion or Barefoot isn't a bad shout. I first test-rode Fin at his previous owner's place in a Barefoot Cheyenne. It wasn't the best thing I have ridden in, but it wasn't the worst, either. That accolade goes to a Barefoot London I bought on ebay for Gypsum some years ago.

 

[maya2008]

Two years after she first arrived with us, this tiny, terrified little creature so traumatised by her interactions with humans that she was aggressive (and the very level of trauma needed for a prey animal’s instinctive future interactions to be to attack first and ask questions later is quite something to think about…), my daughter’s pony leant into my hand today as I fussed her, for the first time not pulling away or eyeing me with suspicion. Then I got to watch her try to help as the kids were putting rugs on, and my daughter needed help with the Shetland. Always watching over my daughter, protecting her and nudging her in the right direction, literally like she is hers, adopted no matter that she is another species. Such a wonderful, kind and caring soul. I feel honoured today, to have her trust.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Beryl is still trucking along, our first away trip for a lesson got cancelled due to snow but that’s ok as she is very green in the school still.

Though I am wondering whether to trail some ulcer treatment? She is a sweetheart mostly but very nippy/ bitey in general, me, the other horses, everything goes in her mouth! Which also manifests in girthing and rugging. She gets seen by the dentist every 6 months and is due in two weeks time. She doesn’t have the perfect mouth with baby teeth not being quite straight, we’re hoping as her adult ones all come though she’ll straighten out, as she also is late getting rid of some caps, though I think they’re all out now!

However, I’m starting to think this is more than baby nipping boundaries being pushed?

Not had one that is prone to nipping before, is it worth treating like ulcers to see if it improves? I’ve put her on aloe Vera juice with no change and make sure she’s always got forage in her before any work. She is quite mare’ish compared to the others I’ve had, so also debating hormone related, as she really upped the do not touch my belly/ flanks when in season.

Always want to give them the most pleasant start to ridden life and asides from this she is brilliant! Am I being overly soft? Just to add I’m not a push over and the attempts of nipping get chastised and overall she is improving!

pictures to cheer this post up!

 

[maya2008]

Tired pony for the win! Flighty reactive little gelding needs to be backed and going now - but everything is a drama with him and progress takes forever because of that. He’s coming up for cuddles, is fine with all tack, you can put a rug on him, brush and pat all over, give him a cuddle, stick a Teddy on his back…he’s ready. So I took him out on the lead for a nice hour long hack with plenty of trot and canter. One nice successful session followed with child able to put foot in stirrup on both sides and pull up so he was at the correct height to swing his leg over. Even managed to pat the other side while up there with no pony hysterics!

Going to repeat that for the rest of the week, aiming to get child on sooner rather than later. He really just needs to be out and about, hacking with his friends - he’s five this year and is just FULL of energy. Time to go see the world and have fun, just need to get over that final hurdle!

 

[GreyDot]

Planning on starting kindergarten with my 3 year old in April. He's had the dentist - needs his wolf teeth out first, so that's happening with the vet. Going to start slow and see where we go. Nothing laid in stone, but feels good to be making a start! Intending on getting him used to tack, walks in hand, mounting block parking practice, exposing him to aving hands, tarpaulins, banging gates, loud kids (not all at once), but all in short and sweet sessions and the rest of the day and night, he can be out in the field with the other youngsters

 

[maya2008]

Little feral pony now takes a child, and has taken a few steps for polos. I just walk away, hold polos and wait…tentative steps then occur because polos are everything!

He’s a very slow learner, so I think it’ll be a while before we’re off and going, but baby steps are definite progress and it won’t matter in the end how long it took!

 

[BBP]

I’m finding it hard to believe that my baby Connemara will be 3 in May. From weedy, skinny, bewildered fresh off the boat from Ireland at 17 months to a hulking great beefcake now! Even got hold of some baby photos. Not a thought of backing him this year, he is only just working out how to walk properly as his huge hind legs didn’t fit under his short back for a long time, so he learned to amble/shuffle and pace rather than walk. We think he had 15hh legs on a 13hh frame for a while. His trot and canter are gorgeous though.

Focussing on correcting poor posture for now (probably compensatory due to his unbalanced growth and ruptured tendon), so working on the balance through movement and finding relaxation stuff. Such a lovely little horse, so independent but curious. Should be a fun filled summer learning together.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/197825428@N06/albums/72177720307310616

(The mane would still be flame orange if he didn’t keep rubbing it out over winter)

 

[ihatework]

Turnip got dragging in from the field this week. She was minging! First job was a hot bath
Next was to lean over in stable
Next day 5 mins on lunge
This morning a little solo hack around the block and trotted a couple of circles in the school tick

 

[Horseysheepy]

Mine has spent 6 months in the field eating, playing and growing.

But he has that look on his face that he's keen and curious to learn more, and I love that!

Three weeks into his block of training, he's refreshed his leading politely, stop and start, yielding, head lowering and lateral flexions which he is almost too good at that he has a smug look on his face!

This week I began teaching him that sometimes he has to leave his playmates and be led out of the field and be taught to tie up with something tasty to nibble on.

His playmates behaved and so did he, although they were all in eyesight of each other, it's a start!

He has a quick grooming mit over him, then chills out taking in the sights of the farm yard, then I plonk him back in the field.

He's a cracker!

 

[GreyDot]

Mine is now officially 3, had his wolf teeth out and the procedure went super. The equine dentist was the nicest man I have ever met, took so much time introducing himself to the boy, gave him his sedation without him really even realising it and loads of breaks from the dental gag (wolf teeth were mahoosive so it took awhile). Stayed afterwards to stroke the boy as he came back round and left with the horse looking pretty darn happy considering all the work that had been done. A total professional, I was so impressed with the actual horse 'bedside manner' that he had. A good experience for the youngster

So now, will wait 10 days for everything to heal up nicely and then will bit him. What are others using? For the last horse I backed, it was a simple double jointed eggbut. I then switched to a Happy Mouth, but he chewed that.

 

[Horseysheepy]

For the introduction of a bit going in and out of the mouth period, I tend to favour a soft rubber bit such as the little in-hand ones, or a happy mouth ( that hasn't been nibbled!!). I think it can be a bit unsettling for them if there's a cold metal object swinging about and clunking on their teeth, so prefer something a little softer whilst they get used to the motion of bit in, bit out.

 

[maya2008]

Mine is now officially 3, had his wolf teeth out and the procedure went super. The equine dentist was the nicest man I have ever met, took so much time introducing himself to the boy, gave him his sedation without him really even realising it and loads of breaks from the dental gag (wolf teeth were mahoosive so it took awhile). Stayed afterwards to stroke the boy as he came back round and left with the horse looking pretty darn happy considering all the work that had been done. A total professional, I was so impressed with the actual horse 'bedside manner' that he had. A good experience for the youngster

So now, will wait 10 days for everything to heal up nicely and then will bit him. What are others using? For the last horse I backed, it was a simple double jointed eggbut. I then switched to a Happy Mouth, but he chewed that.

I’ve used an eggbutt French link for the last four. When they were for me, not the kids, I started with a loose ring French link. For any that might be less impressed with the idea, a little honey/jam/toffee sauce on the bit soon gets them opening their mouths and taking it happily. Then I phase that out and they don’t seem to notice. I tried the whole rubber/happy mouth idea when I was new to this, but soon swore off it for exactly the reason you said - they get chewed and then the sharp edges are worse for the horse than simple cold metal would be!

 

[Palindrome]

Nearly 3 for my filly, she was a little bit of an ugly duckling but is starting to look better put together. Mostly, she has the smoothest well balanced canter you could wish for. She has worn a saddle but no bit so that will be the plan for this Summer, with a little sit hopefully.

 

[Horseysheepy]

Lovely filly!

 

[maya2008]

Well…I found an 11.2hh 4 year old on the wrong side of the fencing today! She’d gone for a jolly to visit her daughter, taken down the top rail of fence (high because daughter jumps like a stag) but jumped the bottom two. So 85cm in her rug, because she felt like it. We haven’t taught her to jump yet!

So off we went this afternoon (after checking she really was ok and hadn’t hurt herself at all) and did no.1 jumping lesson for girl and pony. Bareback, because that’s more instinct based and I need the child to make the right movements and not panic. 1ft tiny starter fences.

Girl and pony loved it - very confident, only one run-out due to wafty steering. Then the other 4yo wanted a go, and the semi-backed 5yo in the field watching showed us he had moves too - over a small bush and a log!

 

[teach]

Owner of a 3 yr old highland filly here! She’s had a lot of handling/manners lessons since she arrived, as was very rude and pushy, but is now a more mannerly pony! She is getting her teeth checked this week, then will be bitted and hopefully do a few in hand shows this summer. Not planning to back her until next summer at the earliest, as she has a lot of maturing still to do!

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[ihatework]

Well we have done 3 days solo hacking.

Saturday had to pass a lit and spitting bonfire less than 2m away - she was very worried and it probably took 5 mins of quiet chivvying along but she kept her together and navigated it safely.

Yesterday down a narrowish byway met a row off 5 off-road 4x4s who were very polite and turned off engines - but she only had about a 3ft gap …. The little darling marched on without a blink

Starting to look grown up!

 

[chaps89]

Well we have done 3 days solo hacking.

Saturday had to pass a lit and spitting bonfire less than 2m away - she was very worried and it probably took 5 mins of quiet chivvying along but she kept her together and navigated it safely.

Yesterday down a narrowish byway met a row off 5 off-road 4x4s who were very polite and turned off engines - but she only had about a 3ft gap …. The little darling marched on without a blink

Starting to look grown up!

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Yep, still a Turnip fan
What’s the long term plan with her?

 

[ihatework]

Yep, still a Turnip fan
What’s the long term plan with her?

Start to look for a long term loan home with a JR/YR event home at some point this summer

 

[Squeak]

Well we have done 3 days solo hacking.

Saturday had to pass a lit and spitting bonfire less than 2m away - she was very worried and it probably took 5 mins of quiet chivvying along but she kept her together and navigated it safely.

Yesterday down a narrowish byway met a row off 5 off-road 4x4s who were very polite and turned off engines - but she only had about a 3ft gap …. The little darling marched on without a blink

Starting to look grown up!

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Also a Turnip fan, she's looking really grown up!

 

[TheMule]

It's lovely to read everyone's updates and progress with their lovely young horses.
Nova graduated this thread a while ago, but he was one of the original members and it has been lovely to document his journey on here. The screenshot below is from almost exactly 3 years ago, and the photo underneath is from his first BE event yesterday. We had a big set back with a serious injury last year, but the slow and steady start has really produced me a wonderfully easy horse who I adore riding.

Keep going everyone!

 

[maya2008]

Nice view of the possible future! Hard to visualise when you’re in the ‘slowly walk up the field behind steady friend with rider moving not a muscle’ stage!!!

Our little feral one switched riders yesterday and made it one whole length of the field without losing his cool. He was very proud of himself. I have to say I can completely recommend the global herd supercalm. He still gets nervous but he can think through it now. Long road ahead but it feels amazing to be getting somewhere in real, tangible progress (and to see the end of leading the little chap out hacking in sight!!!).

 

[ihatework]

Love Nova!
Definitely worth just looking back at how far they have come … when you are at the stage of just trying to trot something that resembles a circle in an even rhythm!!

 

[GreyDot]

Not even on mine yet so a long, long way to go, but lovely to see the progression of Nova!

Bitted (and bathed) my boy this afternoon. He was a star, had a couple of minutes of confused chewing on the bit and then gave a big sigh/snort and relaxed into eating his haynet in the sunshine. Went for a walk in hand afterwards (rope attached to headcollar) and was completely happy with the bit. No issues taking it out either, so a succesful afternoon!