HufflyPuffly
Well-Known Member
Beryl (just four) tried XC for the first time today! Bit anxious to start but super bold once I had her attention. Water is going to be a work in progress, but she’s such a princess about puddles that is not a shock!
Backing 3/4yr olds
- Thread starter TheMule
- Start date
ihatework
Well-Known Member
My 4yo was getting a little naughty so I put her on regumate and shipped her off to pro friend to straighten her up! So far reports are positive. Other than a little trot & pop off the lunge she hasn’t learnt to jump yet - might get friend to introduce that before she comes back.
HufflyPuffly
Well-Known Member
I felt I left jumping a bit too late with Skylla so decided to introduce the idea earlier with Beryl. I like this naive age where they are happy to say ok to stuff, before the terrible fives hit and they think they know best 
.
.maya2008
Well-Known Member
I felt I left jumping a bit too late with Skylla so decided to introduce the idea earlier with Beryl. I like this naive age where they are happy to say ok to stuff, before the terrible fives hit and they think they know best
Definitely, a nice time with low pressure to introduce them to the idea of jumping, of competitions, of taking it all in their stride and being nice and calm about it!
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
Not long left for us on this thread. Hermosa graduates on the 24th (and I am getting married on the 23rd). But my friend, https://www.facebook.com/gk.equine.pet.photo, is trying to set out as a horsey photographer, and she did a photoshoot last weekend. The first rain we had in like three weeks hammered us, but we slogged through and she got some photos. These are my favourites, along with the one I put in the 'safe place to feel down' thread.
SEL
Well-Known Member
I'm so in the middle of terrible 5s!!I felt I left jumping a bit too late with Skylla so decided to introduce the idea earlier with Beryl. I like this naive age where they are happy to say ok to stuff, before the terrible fives hit and they think they know best
Ahrena
Well-Known Member
I’ve been reading this thread with interest and wondering if I can pick some brains.
I have a 3 year old who I am just starting off. I’ve been longreining her a few times but as we have upped it to trotting, she is throwing some almighty tantrums about the rope being behind her bum. She doesn’t seem frightened - she’s fine with the ropes behind her, being dropped down her bum etc etc.
In walk, she’s bucked a few times but nothing too dramatic but full on lost the plot yesterday when we started trotting. Big bronco style. We did end on a good note with her accepting it but I’m just taking stock and wondering if I’m doing the right thing.
I’m keen to persevere as I find longreining so valuable with babies but equally I don’t want to be creating problems.
Apart from this and being a bit of a stress head in the stable, she’s been brilliant - no issue accepting bridle, surcingale. She’s been for some in-hand walks and seen traffic etc and takes it all in her stride and tends to be a stop and think kind of horse. Except this.
Lunging with 1 rein she’s fine (doesn’t quite get it yet and tries to turn in but learning and no bucking) so I’m pretty confident the issue is the rope behind her.
Trying to upload a photo but it says it’s too big!
I have a 3 year old who I am just starting off. I’ve been longreining her a few times but as we have upped it to trotting, she is throwing some almighty tantrums about the rope being behind her bum. She doesn’t seem frightened - she’s fine with the ropes behind her, being dropped down her bum etc etc.
In walk, she’s bucked a few times but nothing too dramatic but full on lost the plot yesterday when we started trotting. Big bronco style. We did end on a good note with her accepting it but I’m just taking stock and wondering if I’m doing the right thing.
I’m keen to persevere as I find longreining so valuable with babies but equally I don’t want to be creating problems.
Apart from this and being a bit of a stress head in the stable, she’s been brilliant - no issue accepting bridle, surcingale. She’s been for some in-hand walks and seen traffic etc and takes it all in her stride and tends to be a stop and think kind of horse. Except this.
Lunging with 1 rein she’s fine (doesn’t quite get it yet and tries to turn in but learning and no bucking) so I’m pretty confident the issue is the rope behind her.
Trying to upload a photo but it says it’s too big!
Ahrena
Well-Known Member
Nevermind, we repeated the lesson and she was perfect so 5 minutes then done. No bucking. Clever mare
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
I hope our 5s aren't terrible.
maya2008
Well-Known Member
Well…today I got to see for myself why our newest purchase was only £100 (I was warned she was tricky by lovely seller who was completely honest). Wow does she have an aversion to ropes. And by aversion I mean full out panic throw self on floor if it moves wrong. Still rope, fine. Rope near her but not on, fine. Rope being held by person attached to her, fine. Rope extending and looking long and snake-like - well…the world literally ended. Massive, volcanic over-reaction to that one! The other ponies stood watching in actual shock as she threw herself around. So we’re now on rope desensitisation boot camp. Plus a ton of chats by the other ponies. My naughtiest 2yo came to stand by her to reassure her that really, I hadn’t tried to kill her and it really really wasn’t a snake. Pony in paddock with her got knocked into and told her to do one, so she’s now surrounded by friends who are like, ‘What on Earth did you do that for?!’ Hopefully that will assist with the next week full of fun!
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
Hermosa graduated from this thread on June 24th. On June 23rd, her last day as a four-year old, she carried me to my wedding in Mugdock. Here are a couple pictures.
See you guys on the 5/6 year old thread.
See you guys on the 5/6 year old thread.
J&S
Well-Known Member
How very lovely for you, Caol Ila.
GreyDot
Well-Known Member
What a perfect graduation!
AShetlandBitMeOnce
Well-Known Member
My clever (albeit seemingly headless) horse and fabulous farrier today..
His back feet remain a work in progress, he is great with the lunge lines on them but I just need to get braver at hanging on when I pick them up in hand. Farrier managed no real issue (and I will be tipping generously to say thank you).
We continue daily with sprays, standing still to be hosed off, bridling, coping with the bobcat lifting huge bales around, sniffing everything scary we can find and ground work which is just about to progress onto moving towards pressure (with a view to getting him to line up next to the mounting block).
We have an established vocal 'back', a wait when putting his food bowl down, he disengages both ways consistently, steps away from me when going into a walk 'lunge', understands shoulder pressure means move out when walking around me, we have had a play at a couple strides of trot, and just working on moving sideways from pressure with the handle end of the whip on his side where the foot would be. I'd like to get out walking in hand soon, but want to do more spook busting in the school first. Not sure with what apart from a tarpaulin or an umbrella, but I'll put the thinking cap on.
He is booked in to be backed early/mid-2024 depending on how mature he looks/is.
I also think he's turning out rather handsome, even though I am totally biased! He is still 16.2hh on the measuring stick and I actually don't think he's going to grow up any more as he looks quite balanced. Everyone at the yard/visitors keeps remarking how big he is though and to 'wait until he finishes up' which surprises me as to me he's a standard size (but then again, last one was top of the 18hh+ bracket so maybe my view is skewed). I wouldn't mind if he stayed this size thankfully.
His back feet remain a work in progress, he is great with the lunge lines on them but I just need to get braver at hanging on when I pick them up in hand. Farrier managed no real issue (and I will be tipping generously to say thank you).
We continue daily with sprays, standing still to be hosed off, bridling, coping with the bobcat lifting huge bales around, sniffing everything scary we can find and ground work which is just about to progress onto moving towards pressure (with a view to getting him to line up next to the mounting block).
We have an established vocal 'back', a wait when putting his food bowl down, he disengages both ways consistently, steps away from me when going into a walk 'lunge', understands shoulder pressure means move out when walking around me, we have had a play at a couple strides of trot, and just working on moving sideways from pressure with the handle end of the whip on his side where the foot would be. I'd like to get out walking in hand soon, but want to do more spook busting in the school first. Not sure with what apart from a tarpaulin or an umbrella, but I'll put the thinking cap on.
He is booked in to be backed early/mid-2024 depending on how mature he looks/is.
I also think he's turning out rather handsome, even though I am totally biased! He is still 16.2hh on the measuring stick and I actually don't think he's going to grow up any more as he looks quite balanced. Everyone at the yard/visitors keeps remarking how big he is though and to 'wait until he finishes up' which surprises me as to me he's a standard size (but then again, last one was top of the 18hh+ bracket so maybe my view is skewed). I wouldn't mind if he stayed this size thankfully.
GreyDot
Well-Known Member
We have found 1st gear 
I am ridiculously excited about the fact that we can now walk with leg aids and stand still to be mounted (sugar lump bribery may had something to do with that, but you have take your wins where you can). Currently sticking to laps round the big yard and outdoor stables, plus a toddle down through some small woods and onto a car-free lane. He doesn't feel wobbly anymore, so either I have got used to him or he has found his balance. Have been doing polework in hand as well. Just doing 10mins of something 3x a week, never 2 days in a row, and for the rest, he is out in the field playing games with the other youngsters. Starting to look really grown-up now though! I love this little guy.
Also now loads in the lorry - still to actually go anywhere but very happy to go on and off.
I am ridiculously excited about the fact that we can now walk with leg aids and stand still to be mounted (sugar lump bribery may had something to do with that, but you have take your wins where you can). Currently sticking to laps round the big yard and outdoor stables, plus a toddle down through some small woods and onto a car-free lane. He doesn't feel wobbly anymore, so either I have got used to him or he has found his balance. Have been doing polework in hand as well. Just doing 10mins of something 3x a week, never 2 days in a row, and for the rest, he is out in the field playing games with the other youngsters. Starting to look really grown-up now though! I love this little guy.Also now loads in the lorry - still to actually go anywhere but very happy to go on and off.
Attachments
AShetlandBitMeOnce
Well-Known Member
We have found 1st gear
Also now loads in the lorry - still to actually go anywhere but very happy to go on and off.
What a beautiful face! Not sure if you've mentioned on the thread, but how old is he?
ihatework
Well-Known Member
Well her ladyship was obviously bored!! Reverting back to good stuff now she is learning jumpies.
School reports are that she is clever, brave and a complete natural.
Now is the time to hopefully find her longer term jockey so the hunt is on for her or him.
School reports are that she is clever, brave and a complete natural.
Now is the time to hopefully find her longer term jockey so the hunt is on for her or him.
GreyDot
Well-Known Member
He turned 3 at the beginning of April, I've had him since he was 10 months old, so have been waiting oh so patiently to get him out of the field and start dabbling
BBP
Well-Known Member
No chance of me backing mine this year. He has barely figured out walking, let alone hefting a human around! He had a lateral camel walk until recently, we think it’s because he had 15hh hind legs on a 13hh frame for a long time, with a massive stride but a very short back, so learned to lateral walk to get the front ones out of the way and create space for the back ones, bless him). His trot and canter are gorgeous and the walk is huge but so shambolic 
.
I’m going pretty slowly with mine compared to most. He’s an interesting character because he’s super independent, will be at the furthest corner of the field whilst the others are all up at the yard, he comes across as very chilled but actually there is some underlying anxiety there, I often get that tiny head lift or eye roll as I approach, so I’m mostly working on building that connection, communication and relaxation that should then stand us in good stead for our future. I think if I get that right now, everything else will come easy, whereas if I push on to try to ‘keep up’ and ignore those tiny signs, I’m missing the opportunity to build a great foundation.
For example a couple of times I have tried something new, only for him to start ‘hiccuping’ (it’s actually a windsuck on nothing) and will then lie down and roll. The windsuck is his escalation of anxiety, and lying down to roll is his way of relieving that gut discomfort the tension has caused. Super interesting, never seen one do that before as their response to being worried, so it has made me strip my training right back.
It has been so rewarding watching him grow up.
When he arrived from Ireland at 17 months
And now at just turned 3 (he has the same date of birth as BBP!)
.I’m going pretty slowly with mine compared to most. He’s an interesting character because he’s super independent, will be at the furthest corner of the field whilst the others are all up at the yard, he comes across as very chilled but actually there is some underlying anxiety there, I often get that tiny head lift or eye roll as I approach, so I’m mostly working on building that connection, communication and relaxation that should then stand us in good stead for our future. I think if I get that right now, everything else will come easy, whereas if I push on to try to ‘keep up’ and ignore those tiny signs, I’m missing the opportunity to build a great foundation.
For example a couple of times I have tried something new, only for him to start ‘hiccuping’ (it’s actually a windsuck on nothing) and will then lie down and roll. The windsuck is his escalation of anxiety, and lying down to roll is his way of relieving that gut discomfort the tension has caused. Super interesting, never seen one do that before as their response to being worried, so it has made me strip my training right back.
It has been so rewarding watching him grow up.
When he arrived from Ireland at 17 months
And now at just turned 3 (he has the same date of birth as BBP!)
GreyDot
Well-Known Member
It's so interesting just watchig them process new things. You can sometimes literally see the thought process going on! Mine does a weird 'gurn' and twist of his jaw, which ends in a yawn when he is either fed up (with the farrier for instance taking too long) or the first time he was asked to walk over poles in hand. It's like his poker 'tell'No chance of me backing mine this year. He has barely figured out walking, let alone hefting a human around! He had a lateral camel walk until recently, we think it’s because he had 15hh hind legs on a 13hh frame for a long time, with a massive stride but a very short back, so learned to lateral walk to get the front ones out of the way and create space for the back ones, bless him). His trot and canter are gorgeous and the walk is huge but so shambolic
I’m going pretty slowly with mine compared to most. He’s an interesting character because he’s super independent, will be at the furthest corner of the field whilst the others are all up at the yard, he comes across as very chilled but actually there is some underlying anxiety there, I often get that tiny head lift or eye roll as I approach, so I’m mostly working on building that connection, communication and relaxation that should then stand us in good stead for our future. I think if I get that right now, everything else will come easy, whereas if I push on to try to ‘keep up’ and ignore those tiny signs, I’m missing the opportunity to build a great foundation.
For example a couple of times I have tried something new, only for him to start ‘hiccuping’ (it’s actually a windsuck on nothing) and will then lie down and roll. The windsuck is his escalation of anxiety, and lying down to roll is his way of relieving that gut discomfort the tension has caused. Super interesting, never seen one do that before as their response to being worried, so it has made me strip my training right back.
It has been so rewarding watching him grow up.
When he arrived from Ireland at 17 months
View attachment 116982
And now at just turned 3 (he has the same date of birth as BBP!)
View attachment 116984
GreyDot
Well-Known Member
First proper 'hack' today, on the long reins. He was lovely and forwards, but not pulling. Very interested in everything and went through the ford with only a minimum amount of snorting First time he has seen it.
On the way back, he decided it looked completely different (of course!) and took a bit of persuading and lots of encouragement and then he strode on through it again. Am very pleased with him.
First time he has seen it.On the way back, he decided it looked completely different (of course!) and took a bit of persuading and lots of encouragement and then he strode on through it again. Am very pleased with him.
Attachments
maya2008
Well-Known Member
I have one flying 4yo (literally, when she sees a jump once a week she makes it look sooo small!) and one pickle. Slowly unpacking the hang-ups and trauma. She makes progress every day, a little at a time, so desperate to trust and to have attention, but she’s got a list of things that terrify her as long as my arm.
She’s growing though, bum high and all off angles. She really, really looks to me like she has at least some Welsh D in her (unrecorded breeding so who knows…?).
She’s growing though, bum high and all off angles. She really, really looks to me like she has at least some Welsh D in her (unrecorded breeding so who knows…?).
Attachments
Last edited:
GreyDot
Well-Known Member
First hack under saddle this morning
Short and sweet, just 20 mins in walk, but crossing roads, up and down a hill, over some stony bits and negotiated tree roots. Flies were a real nuisance, but his little ears were forward and he strode out like a pro. Love his confidence!Also lined up and stood perfectly at the mounting block. A good day!
shortstuff99
Well-Known Member
Posting update here for now as I can't find the 5/6 year old thread
Bean the baby Spanish has been going well! We have been doing some online dressage tests and scoring mid 60s which is pretty good as she lacks strength in the connection yet. Training hacking and going for little rides in the lorry to prepare going out.
We have also been learning jumping and she loves it! Not very Spanish but we enjoy it
Little video of her second ever time jumping and an outtake spook at the end when she spotted a new horse behind the hedge
Bean the baby Spanish has been going well! We have been doing some online dressage tests and scoring mid 60s which is pretty good as she lacks strength in the connection yet. Training hacking and going for little rides in the lorry to prepare going out.
We have also been learning jumping and she loves it! Not very Spanish but we enjoy it
Little video of her second ever time jumping and an outtake spook at the end when she spotted a new horse behind the hedge
Kunoichi73
Well-Known Member
She's lovely!
shortstuff99
Well-Known Member
Thank you! She is loads of fun!
ihatework
Well-Known Member
Last proper Turnip update as the little lady is off on 
long term competition loan. Talented 15yo PT rider looking to succession plan
long term competition loan. Talented 15yo PT rider looking to succession plan
j1ffy
Well-Known Member
Lucky 15yo! I hope they get on well and you have fun watching her progressLast proper Turnip update as the little lady is off on
maya2008
Well-Known Member
Well…our pickle is much less scared but now trying to assert herself. Different challenges!
She’s started to explore her environment more, to mouth and play with things like the 2 year olds (and to be fair she hangs out with them as their own mini herd who like to play all the time).
She loves clicker training and can now be brushed and touched with only one random treat at some point during the process. Has strong preferences about headcollars, which would be fine if she hadn’t somehow managed to break the one she likes (I have spent this evening stitching it back together because she insists that NO OTHER ONE WILL DO!!).
Out of curiosity, I had a local behaviour person out just to see if there was anything I could do to speed the handling process along. She basically said no…but she would recommend sending her away if we get stuck. So now I have a recommended place to send her if we need to and I know what we are doing is basically the best it can be. She’s shot up behind again though - so there really is no hurry. She won’t be physically ready for a rider for quite a few months yet.
She’s started to explore her environment more, to mouth and play with things like the 2 year olds (and to be fair she hangs out with them as their own mini herd who like to play all the time).
She loves clicker training and can now be brushed and touched with only one random treat at some point during the process. Has strong preferences about headcollars, which would be fine if she hadn’t somehow managed to break the one she likes (I have spent this evening stitching it back together because she insists that NO OTHER ONE WILL DO!!).
Out of curiosity, I had a local behaviour person out just to see if there was anything I could do to speed the handling process along. She basically said no…but she would recommend sending her away if we get stuck. So now I have a recommended place to send her if we need to and I know what we are doing is basically the best it can be. She’s shot up behind again though - so there really is no hurry. She won’t be physically ready for a rider for quite a few months yet.