Backing 3/4yr olds

I'm not going to be riding Felix in any meaningful sense for a little while yet, but I figured since he seems to be staying around, I might as well see what he makes of being tacked up and sat on.

The saddling was fine. The weighting of the stirrups was fine. Leaning over was fine. So today I thought l might as well get on!

It was very undramatic. This horse 🥰🥰. Love how he follows me at the end. (Camera was on a tripod).

 
Ambers Echo said:
I'm not going to be riding Felix in any meaningful sense for a little while yet, but I figured since he seems to be staying around, I might as well see what he makes of being tacked up and sat on.

The saddling was fine. The weighting of the stirrups was fine. Leaning over was fine. So today I thought l might as well get on!

It was very undramatic. This horse 🥰🥰. Love how he follows me at the end. (Camera was on a tripod).

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And that's how it should be!!

He's going to make someone a smashing horse. Such a nice stamp - pity I'm so short really :D
 
Ambers Echo said:
I'm not going to be riding Felix in any meaningful sense for a little while yet, but I figured since he seems to be staying around, I might as well see what he makes of being tacked up and sat on.

The saddling was fine. The weighting of the stirrups was fine. Leaning over was fine. So today I thought l might as well get on!

It was very undramatic. This horse 🥰🥰. Love how he follows me at the end. (Camera was on a tripod).

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That is insane (in a good way!) - he's so chilled about the whole thing like he's been doing it his entire life 🥳

What an absolute legend and sweetheart - damn I wish I had room for one more on the yard - I'd sell my soul and all non essential internal organs for Felix 🤣
 
Ambers Echo said:
I'm not going to be riding Felix in any meaningful sense for a little while yet, but I figured since he seems to be staying around, I might as well see what he makes of being tacked up and sat on.

The saddling was fine. The weighting of the stirrups was fine. Leaning over was fine. So today I thought l might as well get on!

It was very undramatic. This horse 🥰🥰. Love how he follows me at the end. (Camera was on a tripod).

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Also in the Felix Fan Club! He seems such a lovely character. I wish I had more horse experience!
 
I feel like things are going really slowly here! Not that it really matters, we'll get there in the end 🤣

Willow is lunging nicely now, popped up into canter on each rein now 3 or 4 times, although sometimes that can be exciting... past week has been a bit on/off work wise (it's blowing a gale here and I'm finding it hard to get motivated... yesterday I got sand blown in my eyes) and also trying to mix things up a bit too so not in the sandschool all the time. We've also progressed to lunging with stirrups now, which was less of an event than the sheep that arrived in the field next door 🤣😵‍💫

Also had a play standing on the step next to her and being above, lightly leaning over etc in stable. She has a lot to put up with bless her, even the chickens just rock into her stable and walk underneath her 🤷‍♀️
 

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My girl was backed last Spring as a 4 year old but had saddle issues which resulted in extreme bucking episodes so turned her away for Winter. Got back on her 6 weeks ago using a Total Contact Saddle which is just brilliant! She has been so good and is ready to crack on with getting out and about for a few pole clinics! She is 5 in May so it’s been a slow process but definitely worth being patient! 💕
 

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Took our rising 3yo down the lane and back for the first time today - bitted, saddled with stirrups swinging and a hi viz quarter sheet. She was amazing! We met three vehicles and she was quite brave. Looked shattered when she got home after her 10min walk though - think her brain was fried! She’s piling on the pounds on minimal grass though and I would prefer a summer of in hand exercise to muzzle or strip graze - so we’re going to get her leading off another pony and she can run it off out hacking. Will have the side benefit of getting her fit for when she is backed and introducing her to the world with a safe and steady buddy beside her.
 
Another busy day for Felix. Got back on - no reaction, so daughter got on and I led her round the arena. Felix balanced himself fine with the weight on top. No baby startles or sudden stops. Then I got on and walked aroind a bit then did some flexions. He was probably carrying a rider for about 10 minutes total and was absolutely chilled the whole time. Though yawned a lot after I got off. A lot to take in. Welcome to a whole new world Felix!


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Both my babies are making me smile 😊

Felix has had a saddle fitted to him, has taken his first independent steps under saddle (no lead rein) and has been on his first mini-hack. Literally 5 minutes! On the lead rein but otherwise on his own. Still has yet to act remotely like a 3 yo. Seriously cool dude.

And Joe is delighted with Myka who is coming home in 2-3 weeks.

He did some liberty with her just for fun and said she took to it really well, so thinks she will enjoy that and be good at it.

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@Ambers Echo so happy your babies are making you happy.

Reggie is doing the same for me and a really didn't think I'd enjoy the process with him. He's walking out in traffic like a lamb which is brilliant as previously it's all been a bit to exciting for him. He couldn't care less about having a rider onboard and tack is a real non issue. Voice commands are improving on the lunge (not doing a huge amount but it is a useful tool for him). Freelancer is brilliant with him and loves his attitude - you can correct him and he doesn't take offence, where she has found other horses hold a grudge for the remainder of the session. Lots of standing at the mounting block and learning to park himself, which he has got pretty good at now.

Robin (who technically has graduated from this thread) had the winter to grow on really. Which I think was a good decision as putting his saddle on last night shows just how much growing he has done. Saddle fitter contacted so he will be doing in hand stuff until we get that sorted. The natives really do mature slowly.

Some nice weather and learning ponies really does make life good!
 
My little 4 year old is continuing to make huge progress at his 'holiday' yard.

He has been hacking and was really good, has discovered forwards finally, has worked with another horse in the school and that didnt impact forwards and has learnt many more things relating to how to behave like a grown up.

Left the floor for the first time in his life today too and looked like he was having a lovely time! Still very, very pleased with my decision.

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TheHairyOne said:
My little 4 year old is continuing to make huge progress at his 'holiday' yard.

He has been hacking and was really good, has discovered forwards finally, has worked with another horse in the school and that didnt impact forwards and has learnt many more things relating to how to behave like a grown up.

Left the floor for the first time in his life today too and looked like he was having a lovely time! Still very, very pleased with my decision.

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Fab update, well done! When is he due to come home?
 
Work began on my two 3yr olds yesterday. I just do very basic groundwork in the school with the bit and roller- learning voice commands and yielding from pressure. They also do a lot of work lining up at the mounting block and getting used to me being there and movement all over.
Enya is, as predicted, going to be quite sharp and with quite a strong 'drama' instinct. Not helped by her having only 1 eye. But we'll take it super slow. She's very willing and wants to work with you, but she's a bit reactive to the roller.
The mule is super, super sensitive but again very willing. So long as he understands each step I think he will be fine.

Good mule!
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Drama llama!
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She will be worth it though because she floats across the ground

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TheMule said:
Fab update, well done! When is he due to come home?
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Another 3 weeks hopefully! Our small herd looks weird without his face in it and i keep having a small panic about where horse 6 is until i remember he's not here.

There is scope to extend another week or 2 if needed, but the plan is for me to go after the easter weekend and start doing more and more there for 2 weeks before he comes back. Ive backed horses before, but this chap was overly handled as a baby and really in your face and backward thinking on his own and I am 10 years older so this is the best way for all of us I hope. Certainly seems to be for him!

Really looking forward to the future.
 
Miles continues to be a hero! The difference a month has made with him is pretty unbelievable, I got off tonight beaming.

First long hack he's done really, all through the village and then out in the open, literally not one stupid moment in 1.5 hours. We rode along the railway at one point and had two trains come by at full speed, not so much as a flinch. He is going to be just so cracking and so much fun for someone. And that someone is looking more and more like it might be me 🤣 (argh no seriously, I don't need two, I don't need two...)


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I have not posted here for ages and my "baby" Ollie will be turning 5 in May (where did that time go!) so I guess this is the last time I can participate in this thread.

Lots of life changes for him and me in the last month as I sold my other horse to a lovely new home, so he now has no field buddy ( plenty others around and next door etc) and he has settled very well, I was worried at first he would be stressed but if anything he is calmer and more focused.

He did very little over winter mainly due to awful weather and has been growing like a weed, I started him back again in February and we have been out for some arena hire and now am having some lessons, as I really do need eyes on the ground to help me keep on the right track.

he has been a bit cheeky and in your face when leading lately, at times so we are doing some groundwork to get that sorted ( spring grass doesn't help i am sure!)
we are hacking out alone and in company and doing really well, the odd moment but overall is a brave soul who loves life
we have left the ground a couple of times recently, after doing some pole work and adding a tiny jump in and he seems to really enjoy it

I am in no rush but aiming to get out to a few clinics and if I am brave enough perhaps a horse camp later in the summer, but we shall see.

couple of snaps and a little video below because he is so gorgeous :) ,
excuse my surprise and position in the video- he had previously just trotted the jump pole, but you can't fail to love his enthusiasm! :-D
 

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Ambers Echo said:
I have carried on pootling about on Felix. He is yet to bat an eyelid at anything - including a bin lorry we met out on a hack. And he is taking a few independent steps in the arena, beginning to figure out what the buttons mean.

I've ended up being on board Felix before Myka! Now that's unexpected.

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For the moment he’s your ‘I can do it all myself’ horse!
 
So little Sam has finally turned 4 and I'm pretty sure she's been on this earth before. She's done lots of in hand showing so she's pretty good on voice cues but on the flip side gets mollycoddled when she's not here so can be a bit numb.
So far she's not been bothered by tack, bikes, random people. We don't have an arena and have a footpath going passed so she's seen allsorts.
First ride completely uneventful, second ride up the lane and back as the sheep were interfering still didn't care just a bit of a nosey at horses on the other side.
Fast forward a few weeks and first solo hack, (I don't have anyone to go out with) in a new place and off she goes like she's been there a million times.
I've turned her away now till probably end of the summer at least. She's done her first group ride, popped to the local beach. We had a sedate walk and a bit of a trot while everyone else had a blast and hooned about.
And guess what? She still didn't care.

We haven't cantered under saddle yet but I'm not bothered about that, hopefully we've got another 20 years under saddle together so there's plenty of time
 
Working out the buttons….

Flex then use the outside leg to ask for a step across which is familiar from groundwork. Repeat on both sides till you can get small circles. Then once he’s got some movement by stepping over, ask with both legs to keep going forward - and wait for the penny drop. He certainly understands stepping away from 1 leg. He moved forward off 2 a couple of times but it’s not reliable. That was meant to be more of a flex to stop but he got distracted. He’s such a good boy. Really really trying. Look at his lips chewing as he’s figuring it out! Love him.

 
Chucked Heidi's western saddle on Gigs today as I wanted to see how it fits, it's too wide (as I suspected, Heidi is the size of a small tank, whereas Gigi is more normal-horse sized) so I won't be riding her in it but I did take her for a quick hand walk to see how she reacted to the fenders swinging about and she couldn't have cared less lol.
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Ambers Echo said:
Working out the buttons….

Flex then use the outside leg to ask for a step across which is familiar from groundwork. Repeat on both sides till you can get small circles. Then once he’s got some movement by stepping over, ask with both legs to keep going forward - and wait for the penny drop. He certainly understands stepping away from 1 leg. He moved forward off 2 a couple of times but it’s not reliable. That was meant to be more of a flex to stop but he got distracted. He’s such a good boy. Really really trying. Look at his lips chewing as he’s figuring it out! Love him.

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What a clever lad he is - so fascinating to watch him lick and chew as he is figuring out what you're asking him! He's such a diamond 😍
 
MatHalTed said:
Chucked Heidi's western saddle on Gigs today as I wanted to see how it fits, it's too wide (as I suspected, Heidi is the size of a small tank, whereas Gigi is more normal-horse sized) so I won't be riding her in it but I did take her for a quick hand walk to see how she reacted to the fenders swinging about and she couldn't have cared less lol.
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Oh my gosh - that saddle is gorgeous! How does the fitting of a western saddle compare with an english saddle? I've always been very curious about trying western but sat on the fence line - I don't compete ridden and mainly spend my days hacking and exploring the countryside.......
 
As is always the way, take a week off work and the weather changes (although we definitely need the rain!).

Had worked up to introducing a second line and yesterday was planning to start working with 2 lines on a circle to start introducing the concept of long lining, but of course it was peeing down all afternoon. So not to be defeated, we went in the hay barn which is big enough to do a roughly 15m circle, so lots of walk/halt transitions and just got on with it. She was super, and we managed to long line out of the barn and up round the yard for a few minutes before calling it a day and having a nice treat. More of the same today hopefully.
 
Well, 1 week into their education and we've all learned a lot (me included!) Enya has now started working in the long reins because I just can’t get anything from her on the right rein without a bit of help (her blind side, really not her fault!) She's not reacting to the roller now so will progress into a saddle next week.
The mule is super sensitive but he loves to be told he has done it right and he's working nicely in hand. I've abandoned long reining attempts as when he's unsure he tends to set his neck and disappear, which didn’t go overly well when he ended up with 2 lines trailing behind him 🫣

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TheMule said:
Well, 1 week into their education and we've all learned a lot (me included!) Enya has now started working in the long reins because I just can’t get anything from her on the right rein without a bit of help (her blind side, really not her fault!) She's not reacting to the roller now so will progress into a saddle next week.
The mule is super sensitive but he loves to be told he has done it right and he's working nicely in hand. I've abandoned long reining attempts as when he's unsure he tends to set his neck and disappear, which didn’t go overly well when he ended up with 2 lines trailing behind him 🫣

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What is the horse breeding part of mule? He looks quite tall but perhaps that's just the photo.
 
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