Backing 3/4yr olds

I've lost motivation with mine, which is easy to do when it's about to be -23°C, but we've still been doing groundwork and light riding when it's above 0°C. It's been a longgg winter.

We have a lesson coming up soon, and that'll be interesting. I'm trying to decide whether or not to compete at a young horse show because it's close and would give us good photos for future marketing. It would be a good experience for him too, but I'm also not nearly as into competitions as I used to be. So we'll see.

I feel bad that he's still soo green for being backed last summer, but I guess there's no rush. He's done really well on solo hacks that we've hauled out to.

Everything is a bit of a battle here with vet, saddle fitter, trainers, and other service providers. The truck and trailer will earn their keep over the next months. I think we're also at the point where a yard change is imminent.

So lots of "stuff and things" coming up on the horizon if all goes well.
 
TheMule said:
Well, my two are going to be 3 this year so school starts at Easter time. The mule is a big character and will probably provide a lot of entertainment along the way. Enya is very exciting but we've just had a big disaster and she now only has 1 eye as a result so I'm not sure how it’s all going to go- all of my backing experience works very well for horses with 2 eyes! As her missing eye is on the right, I don’t think ride and lead is going to be very practical. I'm not sure she'll be able to hack at all tbh as most of my routes have quite busy sections of road. I hate starting them in the arena but she might have to be the exception.
Watch the full sob story here-
Click to expand...
So sorry. That's awful. What a terrible thing to do through. I hope her recovery continues well. Poor little horse. And poor you.
 
Thank you everyone- these tales of successful one-eyed horses give me hope. She's a resilient little thing so I hope she can reach her potential too (I know horses don’t care about things like that and she has a home for life whatever, but she has an active little mind and I think she will genuinely enjoy her work)
 
Fibones said:
I’d be interested in how long you had her in the bosal and where she got educationally in it before you switched.
Click to expand...

Unless I get a TARDIS, we are still in the bosal. I'd like to change to a two-rein at some point in her future, but I don't know when the right time will be. Because there's nothing resembling a western/vaquero trainer around here, I am making it up as I go.

Her first couple rides were in a rope halter with reins. But they are terrible. No precision at all. Then I got her a loping hackamore and rode in that for a few months. They are kind of fine, but stlll quite soft and fuzzy because it's a squidgy nylon thing. I did research and worked out that cheap bosals are pretty pointless, so spent far too much on a custom-made one from Canada. It is pretty sweet. If/when I go to a two-rein, I'll see if the same woman can make the bosalito.
 
@TheMule I have a one-eyed horse. He’s 27 and semi retired now but back in the day he went round BE novice and won plenty of BS. He was fab and you’d never of known he only had one eye.

My boys are now both rising 3. My homebred will probably do absolutely nothing this year apart from an in-hand show, possibly one of those desensitising type clinics and a few in hand walks. He is very gangly and immature, I can’t see him filling out enough to sit on this year.

His ‘pet’ on the other hand, is much more mature. He will also go a couple of in-hand shows (he did one last year and found it very, very exciting so may need a couple of trips to chill him out), walks in hand and I might lightly back him in the autumn but we will see how we go and how he grows. He’s still on the small side, I’m really hoping he will grow a couple more inches.
 
Myka’s had been sat on! Sort of. More lain on. Joe always works with the horse free to ‘flee’, as that reassures them. Everything is done with a view to the future - Ie being noisy, as you might if you mount and accidentally kick horse on rump as you swing a leg over. He also teaches them to pick him up from the mounting block just with a raised hand.

Short video of the lesson. She looks so calm but that’s his skill in reading her and knowing what she can tolerate. She really is quite sensitive and dramatic!

 
Just to add, I love his precision. All 4 legs have to be exactly where he wants them so horse is stable/balanced for mounting. I've taught all my horses to 'pick me up'. I can't tell you how useful it is if you've got off to open a gate (or fallen off on the 80 acres!) to be able to stand on a boulder or XC jump from either side, have your horse position themselves and then stand still for you to get back on.
 
Week 1 report on Amara . She’s settled well , as if she’s been there all her life . Wasnt too keen on the girth , had one or two broncs by all accounts . So they’ve popped a rug with a roller on at night so she can get used to the feeling .but already a lot better . Lunging / long reining well and so far they say she’s taking to work well . Described her as sweet .
Her mum was an angel to back , her maternal uncle however .. had a few broncs too .
 
Caol Ila said:
Unless I get a TARDIS, we are still in the bosal. I'd like to change to a two-rein at some point in her future, but I don't know when the right time will be. Because there's nothing resembling a western/vaquero trainer around here, I am making it up as I go.

Her first couple rides were in a rope halter with reins. But they are terrible. No precision at all. Then I got her a loping hackamore and rode in that for a few months. They are kind of fine, but stlll quite soft and fuzzy because it's a squidgy nylon thing. I did research and worked out that cheap bosals are pretty pointless, so spent far too much on a custom-made one from Canada. It is pretty sweet. If/when I go to a two-rein, I'll see if the same woman can make the bosalito.
Click to expand...
Thanks for replying. Yes I totally get that. I’m saving up for a Martin black bosal. You might be able to access Joe Midgely for feedback on your progress via video if you’re a member in His good Horsemanship channel if you are looking for a trainer albeit a virtual one. He’s very good. Or attend a clinic with him- I’m not sure where you are in the world!
Maybe we can keep in touch on bosal progress! I’m logging what I’m doing but you might be well ahead of me.
 
Quietly creeping back in to join the conversation..... introducing Willow who's been with me now for a just over a week (best valentines ever 🤣).

After having to retire my rising 7 year old due to chondromalacia I've been on the look out for the next horse, didn't have the biggest budget in the world and didn't want to get something unbacked, so she's rising 4, unbacked 🫢 and bigger than what I planned to get.

She's KWPN and recently imported, by Vitalis. I fell in love with her temperament, she is incredibly calm and gentle, and despite having had next to nothing done with her, takes everything in her stride. I thought she'd probably fail the vet knowing my usual luck, but she didn't. She travelled home like a dream and is now spending some time just settling in, getting to know the gang and being handled. Once the weather settles a bit I shall start cracking on with her 🤞
 

Attachments

  • 20250214_125852.jpg
    20250214_125852.jpg
    914.1 KB · Views: 39
  • 20250215_083625.jpg
    20250215_083625.jpg
    551.7 KB · Views: 36
alsxx said:
Quietly creeping back in to join the conversation..... introducing Willow who's been with me now for a just over a week (best valentines ever 🤣).

After having to retire my rising 7 year old due to chondromalacia I've been on the look out for the next horse, didn't have the biggest budget in the world and didn't want to get something unbacked, so she's rising 4, unbacked 🫢 and bigger than what I planned to get.

She's KWPN and recently imported, by Vitalis. I fell in love with her temperament, she is incredibly calm and gentle, and despite having had next to nothing done with her, takes everything in her stride. I thought she'd probably fail the vet knowing my usual luck, but she didn't. She travelled home like a dream and is now spending some time just settling in, getting to know the gang and being handled. Once the weather settles a bit I shall start cracking on with her 🤞
Click to expand...

Good luck with her!
Where do I find an OH like yours if this is the standard of their Valentine's gifts?!!
 
alsxx said:
Quietly creeping back in to join the conversation..... introducing Willow who's been with me now for a just over a week (best valentines ever 🤣).

After having to retire my rising 7 year old due to chondromalacia I've been on the look out for the next horse, didn't have the biggest budget in the world and didn't want to get something unbacked, so she's rising 4, unbacked 🫢 and bigger than what I planned to get.

She's KWPN and recently imported, by Vitalis. I fell in love with her temperament, she is incredibly calm and gentle, and despite having had next to nothing done with her, takes everything in her stride. I thought she'd probably fail the vet knowing my usual luck, but she didn't. She travelled home like a dream and is now spending some time just settling in, getting to know the gang and being handled. Once the weather settles a bit I shall start cracking on with her 🤞
Click to expand...

She's stunning.

Miles is coming along really well, we've got all 3 gaits in the arena and he's riding in a big open field very sensibly! He's turning quite smart now.

474591924_1642527519989113_4654246169044491786_n.jpg
 
Finally headed to a riding lesson! I had to kick my own butt a bit because I've been procrastinating. It's about a 90 min drive one way to any decent instruction. We started with a lovely eventing trainer that has a lot of experience with bringing along young horses and giving them a good start to their ridden and competitive careers. Some good feedback, but most of all, my horse was amazing. He handled traveling, activity around the farm, and a new indoor so well. I couldn't fault him. A great experience for the both of us. It was definitely the right first "learning" outing.

Popping over to another dressage trainer in a few weeks. It was a longgg day for us both, but he handled it well. Chuffed to bits.

Screenshot_20250225_065833_Instagram.jpg
 
Aspen is three this year, but as he's a late foal (June 28th), I plan to leave him out in the field with his buddies. He's fine with worming and farrier for trims, etc, so that is all he needs for now. It helps that as he's late and a bit small, there's zero pressure to get him up and out to any aged classes as he wouldn't do well in them. My long-term hope is that he'll be a happy and relaxed little thing for me to potter about on when his competitive sisters have pushed my buttons too much :) But I really have no clue as to his personality yet so we'll see what happens next year.
 
Fibones said:
Thanks for replying. Yes I totally get that. I’m saving up for a Martin black bosal. You might be able to access Joe Midgely for feedback on your progress via video if you’re a member in His good Horsemanship channel if you are looking for a trainer albeit a virtual one. He’s very good. Or attend a clinic with him- I’m not sure where you are in the world!
Maybe we can keep in touch on bosal progress! I’m logging what I’m doing but you might be well ahead of me.
Click to expand...

I had a lesson with Joe last year when he was up in Scotland for a clinic. He came to my yard, then realised how far it is from where he does his clinics in Kinross, lol. Virtual lessons aren't really an option because the internet connection at the yard is truly dire. Neither is trailering to clinics, since I do not have transport. So, we muddle. The horse steers and stops, and she is good at hacking. What more do you want?


But yeah, keeping in touch would be good. No one here uses that piece of equipment and most probably think I'm nuts.
 
IrishMilo said:
She's stunning.

Miles is coming along really well, we've got all 3 gaits in the arena and he's riding in a big open field very sensibly! He's turning quite smart now.

474591924_1642527519989113_4654246169044491786_n.jpg
Click to expand...
I don’t normally come on this thread (or many horse threads, tbh). This isn’t the skinny little grey you bought unseen?
 
I'd like to introduce my new girl as she's technically still 4 until April.
She's a 16.2hh Irish Sport Horse x Thoroughbred, by Numero Cruise and out of a full TB mare by Classic Cliche.
She's done a few training shows, but mostly just hacking and flatwork schooling with her previous owner. I'm taking her up to uni to produce and see a bit of the world, maybe do some baby dressage tests and jumping, then next year when she's rising 6 start working a bit more to begin eventing. She's got a really sweet personality and is super smart, which I love. Can't wait to crack on a bit with her.
FullSizeRender.jpeg
 
MatHalTed said:
I'd like to introduce my new girl as she's technically still 4 until April.
She's a 16.2hh Irish Sport Horse x Thoroughbred, by Numero Cruise and out of a full TB mare by Classic Cliche.
She's done a few training shows, but mostly just hacking and flatwork schooling with her previous owner. I'm taking her up to uni to produce and see a bit of the world, maybe do some baby dressage tests and jumping, then next year when she's rising 6 start working a bit more to begin eventing. She's got a really sweet personality and is super smart, which I love. Can't wait to crack on a bit with her.
View attachment 155687
Click to expand...

Nice!
 
MatHalTed said:
I'd like to introduce my new girl as she's technically still 4 until April.
She's a 16.2hh Irish Sport Horse x Thoroughbred, by Numero Cruise and out of a full TB mare by Classic Cliche.
She's done a few training shows, but mostly just hacking and flatwork schooling with her previous owner. I'm taking her up to uni to produce and see a bit of the world, maybe do some baby dressage tests and jumping, then next year when she's rising 6 start working a bit more to begin eventing. She's got a really sweet personality and is super smart, which I love. Can't wait to crack on a bit with her.
View attachment 155687
Click to expand...
She looks super smart . Congratulations
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top