Backing 3/4yr olds

[GreyDot]

Just bumping this thread as it seems very quiet - how is everyone getting on with their babies?

 

[ihatework]

Nothing really to report on mine.
Settled in with new young jockey well, just ticking along doing baby stuff at home. Only bucked her off once

But the then 4yo at the beginning of this long thread has had a pretty good year. Jumped DC in the time in his first 2*L earlier in the season. Then stepped up to 1.20m bsja & intermediate jumped clear around first 3 ints. Went to the 7yo 3* champs, looked class but had an unfortunate whoopsie - first time he has got something wrong! Came out for an easy school for DC this weekend and will finish at Bicton. he will be competing in Europe next spring. Not bad for a little weirdo

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Nothing much to report on mine either, he's having a 'holiday' and we're going out hacking in hand until I lose the last 1st, then he'll probably not do much more than walk around the countryside until spring.

 

[monte1]

Mine was three in May, he's had tack on and now started a bit of simple long reining and some ride and lead from my older horse, he's quite well grown and I plan to have at least sat up on him by the end of this year, but nothing more. He is booked to go off next spring to a lovely trainer, for a few weeks basic education under saddle, then hopefully spend summer gently hacking about with me then turn away again till his 5th year.

 

[Palindrome]

Getting started with this little one, she is now 3 and half.

 

[Panda2000]

View attachment 124981View attachment 124982

Getting started with this little one, she is now 3 and half.

I looked at the first picture and thought I hope you aren't going to put the saddle on there. Then i saw the second picture

 

[Palindrome]

I looked at the first picture and thought I hope you aren't going to put the saddle on there. Then i saw the second picture

Bringing a new meaning to "saddle too far forward"

 

[Anna Clara]

I've been doing a mix of inhand walking and riding with my 4 year old to get out exploring further. We did about 1/3 riding today on a new route and bridleways. He was really brilliant. Might try a first sneaky little canter soon I love that he's been broken in by lots of solo inhand walking and then jumping on from the verge etc in small stages to start riding. He takes it all his stride and really seems to love exploring together.

 

[TPO]

He is gorgeous @Anna Clara

What's his breeding?

 

[Caol Ila]

I want your saddle. What is it?

 

[maya2008]

Well… my 4 year old leant into my scratches today - giant achievement in the world of the mare who likes to defy all the conventions and absolutely will not subscribe to any method of handling beyond super slow and super steady with one person only!

She also told me off because she usually gets brushed in the morning and I was late (husband did the morning hay), so she had to stay muddy for too long! Was most insistent, presented herself to me and then leant into the brush !

 

[Anna Clara]

He is gorgeous @Anna Clara

What's his breeding?

Pwllmelin moonraker x tytntyla elen. I have no idea about welsh breeding, I just loved his colour and character He moves a bit close behind and I'm used to super flexible warmbloods so he comes across physically a bit like a bulldozer compared to what I'm used to and I don't think he's one of those sporty athletic welsh types . But his brain makes up for it!

I want your saddle. What is it?

It was a 2nd hand barefoot lazy mountain and I'm really impressed so far. I don't think it would be that great for more than hacking but its perfect and so comfortable for that. Ive never had a treeless before but he is going through so many growth spurts I thought I'd try it out. I can mount from the ground if needed although try not to. I'm keen to try it with some fenders, need to work out how they go on!

 

[GreyDot]

How's everyone doing? Mine was happily hacking out and has had a couple of trots on hacks which were lovely and no excitement following another horse. Wet weather has unfortunately stopped the hacking as we need to go down a bank which is now essentially a muddy bog stream from all the rain and too slippy to negotiate (especially on a wobbly youngster). Roads are too busy (rat-run) most of the time to risk that at the moment, so we are doing some circles and shapes in the arena. He's great at keeping to the track and will do a very simple leg yield. Will halt nicely and trots off to my leg aid. Much MUCH nicer to ride on the right rein and left rein seems to be very difficult for him, swings bum in and struggles to bend. Not working in anny form of proper contact yet of course, and he offers a lovely stretch of his neck. Am just doing 10 - 15mins ridden work in the arena twice a week and then one session of polework (in-hand) and that's enough for now.
I measured him and he is now just under 16hh, which is lovely. He's so sweet in the field and on the ground, and gives a lovely feeling when ridden. Feel so lucky, I bought him as a 10 month old, so you never really know how they are going to develop.
Just wish the ground would dry out so we can go on more adventures but it's looking like it will be a very wet few weeks.

 

[ihatework]

Nothing to report here.

One 4yo had a little break, think she is due back in soon. Need to go see her at some point. Quite a sassy little minx it turns out, showing real keen and bold aptitude for jumping. Needs to channel the opinions slightly

Other 4yo is perfect (in my rose tinted spec kind of way). Just about to wean. Rider has been off games with serious injury but hopes to get on her in spring. I literally cannot wait.

 

[maya2008]

Slowly does it… I have a fluffy headcollar she likes now, and can get it on and off in a sensible fashion as needed. Also we have a rope she doesn’t overly mind! She’s beyond desperate to go for walks like her friends the 2 year olds are doing, as she’s now the only one stuck in the field all the time. All of a sudden, she’s decided she trusts me and that’s that. Very cute. Still has attitude the size of the Himalayas though - gets in the way a little and you definitely have to coax her into things!!!

 

[GreyDot]

Teeth coming through with a vengeance at the moment, poor little blighter is losing his baby teeth. No work involving a bridle till all that is settled, so doing some really fun groundwork sessions and some free schooling with the odd pole, obstacle to make it interestng.
He's in at night now and being so well behaved coming in, desite all the weather we are experiencing. Such a sweet horse.
Does, however, sleep in/on all his poos every.single.night.

 

[monte1]

A little "Ollie", update for you all in case anyone is still following this thread and remembers us, he will be 4 in May and I had done most of the initial groundwork, sat on him 4-5 times, he went 2 weeks ago to a fab event rider for starting off correctly, install some steering, brakes and start of a mouth, collected him on Saturday and I am so pleased with how he is doing, still very very green obviously, but before he came home i got to walk trot and canter him on both reins and he's been doing a bit of hacking, he is super- I am so so pleased.

 

[ihatework]

Very sad update on one of mine.
Got a bit sassy as a 4yo, ran with it as a slightly over confident and athletic young horse. But it escalated and she was shipped off to the vets. Devastating to have a kissing spine diagnosis. Some super bloodlines I refuse to genetically breed from at such a young age. Currently licking my wounds and deciding whether to operate or send her off as a recip.

 

[KEK]

Very sad update on one of mine.
Got a bit sassy as a 4yo, ran with it as a slightly over confident and athletic young horse. But it escalated and she was shipped off to the vets. Devastating to have a kissing spine diagnosis. Some super bloodlines I refuse to genetically breed from at such a young age. Currently licking my wounds and deciding whether to operate or send her off as a recip.

I'm sorry, that's really sad news

 

[ihatework]

I'm sorry, that's really sad news

Thanks, I’m gutted but also pragmatic. Horses are a numbers game and I’ve had a pretty good run of things for the last few years. I was due a bit of bad luck Just keeping fingers crossed it doesn’t come in 3’s!!!!

 

[Alibear]

I'm sorry ihatework , I know you were really pleased with how she was shaping up. Thank you for sharing as I think we need to know that it doesn't always work out as intended.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

So sorry IHW, that's a toughie.

 

[Asha]

Very sad update on one of mine.
Got a bit sassy as a 4yo, ran with it as a slightly over confident and athletic young horse. But it escalated and she was shipped off to the vets. Devastating to have a kissing spine diagnosis. Some super bloodlines I refuse to genetically breed from at such a young age. Currently licking my wounds and deciding whether to operate or send her off as a recip.

Sorry hear this IHW. Shes a beautiful mare.

our local vets did a talk on KS the other month. They have developed a new technique, whereby they only have to do a few snips ( as opposed to major op) . A friend of mines young horse was treated by them and is doing so well now. Shes aiming him for 1 star this year. Hope your mare is as easily treatable

ETA .. the difference in my friends horse is amazing. His flatwork is so much better, proper striding out and now very relaxed.

 

[monte1]

Very sad update on one of mine.
Got a bit sassy as a 4yo, ran with it as a slightly over confident and athletic young horse. But it escalated and she was shipped off to the vets. Devastating to have a kissing spine diagnosis. Some super bloodlines I refuse to genetically breed from at such a young age. Currently licking my wounds and deciding whether to operate or send her off as a reci

Very sad update on one of mine.
Got a bit sassy as a 4yo, ran with it as a slightly over confident and athletic young horse. But it escalated and she was shipped off to the vets. Devastating to have a kissing spine diagnosis. Some super bloodlines I refuse to genetically breed from at such a young age. Currently licking my wounds and deciding whether to operate or send her off as a recip.

IHW, so very sorry to hear this news :-(

 

[ihatework]

Sorry hear this IHW. Shes a beautiful mare.

our local vets did a talk on KS the other month. They have developed a new technique, whereby they only have to do a few snips ( as opposed to major op) . A friend of mines young horse was treated by them and is doing so well now. Shes aiming him for 1 star this year. Hope your mare is as easily treatable

It’s a bit of a complicated conundrum.

As far as treatable goes, she is. My vets also are specialists and have a hybrid technique that is keyhole and cuts the ligament and also shaves the bone (but not as dramatically as the old style bone op).
In her favour are that she is young, got very good confo, and no other compounding lameness - the vets said she was 100%. Also is is a very specific location so it’s not like multiple cuts.

If she were my riding horse I’d do it no hesitation.

But she was purchased as a eventing and breeding mare. She now has no use to me as a breeding mare. She is also unproven under saddle as an event mare.

The rehab will need to be done diligently. I can do the in-hand element but I don’t have the time or desire to do the ridden. In addition I’ll realistically be a bit too heavy for the ridden to do it anyway.

So the cost for 6 months professional ridden rehab will sit between 6-10k and I’m afraid I’m not prepared to gamble that.

 

[Asha]

It’s a bit of a complicated conundrum.

As far as treatable goes, she is. My vets also are specialists and have a hybrid technique that is keyhole and cuts the ligament and also shaves the bone (but not as dramatically as the old style bone op).
In her favour are that she is young, got very good confo, and no other compounding lameness - the vets said she was 100%. Also is is a very specific location so it’s not like multiple cuts.

If she were my riding horse I’d do it no hesitation.

But she was purchased as a eventing and breeding mare. She now has no use to me as a breeding mare. She is also unproven under saddle as an event mare.

The rehab will need to be done diligently. I can do the in-hand element but I don’t have the time or desire to do the ridden. In addition I’ll realistically be a bit too heavy for the ridden to do it anyway.

So the cost for 6 months professional ridden rehab will sit between 6-10k and I’m afraid I’m not prepared to gamble that.

Sounds similar to what our vets are doing, although im pretty sure they didnt have to shave the bone. I guess each case is different. My friend was lucky, i think she did the inhand stuff, and sent him to her trainer for a few weeks, and is now doing the rest herself.
Yep, £6-£10k would make most people wince/think again.
Hope you find a solution

 

[maya2008]

It’s a bit of a complicated conundrum.

As far as treatable goes, she is. My vets also are specialists and have a hybrid technique that is keyhole and cuts the ligament and also shaves the bone (but not as dramatically as the old style bone op).
In her favour are that she is young, got very good confo, and no other compounding lameness - the vets said she was 100%. Also is is a very specific location so it’s not like multiple cuts.

If she were my riding horse I’d do it no hesitation.

But she was purchased as a eventing and breeding mare. She now has no use to me as a breeding mare. She is also unproven under saddle as an event mare.

The rehab will need to be done diligently. I can do the in-hand element but I don’t have the time or desire to do the ridden. In addition I’ll realistically be a bit too heavy for the ridden to do it anyway.

So the cost for 6 months professional ridden rehab will sit between 6-10k and I’m afraid I’m not prepared to gamble that.

Ouch! That is costly!

I hope you find a solution you feel happy with.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

It’s a bit of a complicated conundrum.

As far as treatable goes, she is. My vets also are specialists and have a hybrid technique that is keyhole and cuts the ligament and also shaves the bone (but not as dramatically as the old style bone op).
In her favour are that she is young, got very good confo, and no other compounding lameness - the vets said she was 100%. Also is is a very specific location so it’s not like multiple cuts.

If she were my riding horse I’d do it no hesitation.

But she was purchased as a eventing and breeding mare. She now has no use to me as a breeding mare. She is also unproven under saddle as an event mare.

The rehab will need to be done diligently. I can do the in-hand element but I don’t have the time or desire to do the ridden. In addition I’ll realistically be a bit too heavy for the ridden to do it anyway.

So the cost for 6 months professional ridden rehab will sit between 6-10k and I’m afraid I’m not prepared to gamble that.

Interestingly I have just scrolled past a post on a 'Vets Only' page I follow on Facebook (for people to post for vet advice when they don't necessarily have direct access to one themselves) and someone had posted kissing spine x-rays from her 4yo to garner opinions on what to do, and several of the responses from a couple of different vets said that as the vertebre continue growing/maturing throughout their 6th year and that consequently they see more diagnosis of KS than horses that actually have it, and to wait for formal diagnosis at end of 6th year once re-xrayed. Could this be an option to consider?

ETA: no experience of it myself thankfully, so just parroting what I read as I found it interesting.

 

[ihatework]

Thanks ASBMO.
I’m 95% not going to operate.
I think cured by 6 is possibly a bit of stretch but thank you.

 

[ycbm]

Very sad update on one of mine.
Got a bit sassy as a 4yo, ran with it as a slightly over confident and athletic young horse. But it escalated and she was shipped off to the vets. Devastating to have a kissing spine diagnosis. Some super bloodlines I refuse to genetically breed from at such a young age. Currently licking my wounds and deciding whether to operate or send her off as a recip.

I am gutted on your behalf to read that IHW. We put our dreams into young horses when we buy them and those are lost, not to mention the time, emotion and money already invested in her. Damned bad luck, sorry