Backing 3/4yr olds
- Thread starter TheMule
- Start date
dorsetladette
Well-Known Member
Freelancer worked Reggie and very hard on Saturday. We were both knackered after our session. Reggie is doing so well though - even with my inadequate riding. Freelancer has said she will get on next session and do a little bit of 'schooling' which means my role as crash test dummy was successful!!
I can't wait to see what he looks like with a competent rider onboard!
My homework is to get him out as much as possible, in hand but tacked up and take my hat in case I feel he's settled enough to hop on.
I can't wait to see what he looks like with a competent rider onboard!
My homework is to get him out as much as possible, in hand but tacked up and take my hat in case I feel he's settled enough to hop on.
YourValentine
Well-Known Member
Tack on no issues, no concerns at all about a saddle, girth or bridle, couldn't have cared less. Managed to get him to lunge calmly but long reining may never happen. Slowly working at leaning against him, on and over him is a way down the track. A lot of holes in ground work still to patch, somethings are easy others its taken months to crack. So its all slightly backwards, but giving him confidence with what he finds easy has helped with terrifying things like brushing his mane (with a body brush so no tugging or anything).
TheMule
Well-Known Member
Well that sounds like a lot of victories already!
maya2008
Well-Known Member
Well I have a rising 4yo who is perfect - absolutely perfect for me, my husband (to handle) and kids (to do everything with).
But was an absolute HORROR beyond all belief for a friend to lead her daughter out on. Tried to bite her repeatedly, kicked out, even bounced once. Popped my daughter on - butter wouldn’t melt. Literally sweet as pie. Now she could be a one person pony if she was big enough and not going to be outgrown at some point - but she isn’t.
But was an absolute HORROR beyond all belief for a friend to lead her daughter out on. Tried to bite her repeatedly, kicked out, even bounced once. Popped my daughter on - butter wouldn’t melt. Literally sweet as pie. Now she could be a one person pony if she was big enough and not going to be outgrown at some point - but she isn’t.
TheHairyOne
Well-Known Member
My boy is home! Figured off the truck as a good a time as any, so hopped on board and had a walk and trot around the school.
Perfect.
Perfect.
TheMule
Well-Known Member
What a smart boy!
YourValentine
Well-Known Member
Oh yes made loads of progress and we are progressing, its just slow. Taken 6 months to get this far.
SEL
Well-Known Member
I've got a 13yo pony here who is otherwise bombproof but cannot be long lined without having a panic. Took me years until I could pick up a lunge whip near her and last year when I went to a ride & drive by a caravan park she broke out in a sweat at the sight of the caravans - she's a pony I can normally unload in a car park without issue.
I guess you just work around some of the early trauma and hope that in time they'll build a close enough bond with you to know you aren't going to cause them harm. It does sound like you're making great progress - slow & steady
Asha
Well-Known Member
Dropped my 3yo off last night at the yard his sister went to.
He loaded, travelled and unloaded like a dream . Was super proud of him .
I wouldn’t normally send one off this young , but he’s so big I can’t do him justice . So he’s gone for a couple of weeks to accept the bit and do some long lining .
Just thought he’d benefit from seeing a bit of the world and doing a little bit of groundwork now . He’s definitely over 17hds and gone him high again !
Excuse the mane, i didnt get a chance to brush him.
He loaded, travelled and unloaded like a dream . Was super proud of him .
I wouldn’t normally send one off this young , but he’s so big I can’t do him justice . So he’s gone for a couple of weeks to accept the bit and do some long lining .
Just thought he’d benefit from seeing a bit of the world and doing a little bit of groundwork now . He’s definitely over 17hds and gone him high again !
Excuse the mane, i didnt get a chance to brush him.
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Asha
Well-Known Member
Thank you, thats really kind. However..im hiding one in the field, hes actually this chaps half brother ( maternal). Just the most fugly colour. He was absolutely beautiful when he was born, and as expected hes turning grey. But good grief its the worst greying out ive seenYou breed some very lovely, handsome horses @Asha
. However, he has the most gorgeous temperament, just wants to be your friend.maya2008
Well-Known Member
I have a filly to match - so lovely and sweet but currently very fugly due to greying out oddly!Thank you, thats really kind. However..im hiding one in the field, hes actually this chaps half brother ( maternal). Just the most fugly colour. He was absolutely beautiful when he was born, and as expected hes turning grey. But good grief its the worst greying out ive seen
tda
Well-Known Member
I have a 3 yr old gelding the same, he's still beautiful, but patchy grey with brown! fluffy patchesThank you, thats really kind. However..im hiding one in the field, hes actually this chaps half brother ( maternal). Just the most fugly colour. He was absolutely beautiful when he was born, and as expected hes turning grey. But good grief its the worst greying out ive seen
Asha
Well-Known Member
I have a 3 yr old gelding the same, he's still beautiful, but patchy grey with brown! fluffy patches
So glad we are not alone
alsxx
Well-Known Member
Went solo last night, absolute poppet. Stayed in walk as only ride number 3. Really, really pleased with her. A few days off now as wet and windy here and in absolutely no rush.
Willow spam
Willow spam
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Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
Myka has found 3rd gear in trot. Yay! And I’ve also felt she’s accepting enough now of a rider for me to trot her solo.
Asha
Well-Known Member
TheMule
Well-Known Member
It is so nice to watch all the 'HHO babies' growing up, they were all slouch cute little foals and now look at them!
maya2008
Well-Known Member
Just turned 4yo went to her first arena hire today. Good as gold. Didn’t bat an eyelid at anything and went over her first jumps like she had been doing it all her life (we have no arena at home so this was literally her first jump!). Very proud - no over jumping, no spooking, no running out. Just sweet as pie popping over them.
Asha
Well-Known Member
Just back from a fab hack, i was on my trusty ID Finn, my daughter on the other ID and the lady doing the riding away on Amara. Im genuinely over the moon. Amara was foot perfect, buckle end all the way around. Even when we met rattley trailers, lorries and her first motorbike. She politely moved to the side and stuck her head in the hedge and snacked on stickies while everything went past. Did a snort at some purple flowers, couldnt give a flying fig about the cows. I know i probably sound a bit daft, but it means so much that shes so level headed. Ive said for a long time, she reminds me of her grandma Asha.
At this rate it wont be long before im on her.
At this rate it wont be long before im on her.
Michen
Well-Known Member
My four year old is doing… little. Some life events meant riding was off the cards but is now back on, and I tried my western saddle on him this AM and it seems to fit nicely (my English doesn’t very well). So I’ll get him used to that and then “re back” him. He’s had about 30 mins under saddle this year but not since spring.
In the mean time lots of in hand hacking and he’s just such a little dude, so fun and curious but level headed. He’s the type that wants to go investigate a bin rather than spook at it.
In the mean time lots of in hand hacking and he’s just such a little dude, so fun and curious but level headed. He’s the type that wants to go investigate a bin rather than spook at it.
millitiger
Well-Known Member
Saddles for very short backed, flat topped Welsh ponies please, this is not my usual type of equine!
Pony is fairly ready for getting on and riding away now, however we don't have a saddle.
I know people do this bareback but I haven't and not sure if I want to... although maybe I just need to swing a leg over and get cracking.
As a side note, we have resolved the hatred of the bit, with a little outside the box thinking, and he is now very happy wearing his little bridle and today had side reins on (very loose) to just get used to the weight of a rein on the bridle and all went very well, hurrah!
Pony is fairly ready for getting on and riding away now, however we don't have a saddle.
I know people do this bareback but I haven't and not sure if I want to... although maybe I just need to swing a leg over and get cracking.
As a side note, we have resolved the hatred of the bit, with a little outside the box thinking, and he is now very happy wearing his little bridle and today had side reins on (very loose) to just get used to the weight of a rein on the bridle and all went very well, hurrah!
SEL
Well-Known Member
That scenery! I know it's bitter in winter but it's stunning right now
fidleyspromise
Well-Known Member
Tal turned 4 last month and has had saddle on and long lined and I've been leaning over him and sat on him. He's slightly worried about the monster on his back so we've only taken a couple steps with him as I want him comfortable.
I went to do more tonight but he has lots of lumps along his neck and back so put a fly rug on and hopefully they'll disappear so we can get more done.
I went to do more tonight but he has lots of lumps along his neck and back so put a fly rug on and hopefully they'll disappear so we can get more done.
TheMule
Well-Known Member
AH saddles are brilliant- you're talking about £1200 for nice condition second hand. Ideal also make some really nice small saddles that would do the job- the Ideal Apollo or older Exceed fit my short backed, flat topped one
maya2008
Well-Known Member
Thorowgood if you want inexpensive for now. Not the most comfortable for the rider but they fit native ponies well.
millitiger
Well-Known Member
Good school report from big ginger and some videos of him working.
I have no idea how to get videos on here but grabbed some screenshots, I just love his natural balance and way of going.
I miss him a lot- I went to see him on the weekend and had a little cry when I left
I can't wait to have him home and be plodding around the village on my big ginger.
I have no idea how to get videos on here but grabbed some screenshots, I just love his natural balance and way of going.
I miss him a lot- I went to see him on the weekend and had a little cry when I left
I can't wait to have him home and be plodding around the village on my big ginger.
Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
Asha you must be so happy about Amara hacking! I just can't bring myself to hack Myka but it's the obvious next step. I've even hacked Felix! (For all of 10 minutes with a 7 stone daughter on him). But I would have no worries sacking off the arena altogether with him and only hacking for a few months when he is old enough to actually be backed and start working rather than just to be sat on out of curiosity as to how he'd react. (Answer not at all! Even when passed by a bin lorry!).
I think I need to ask a pro to do it with Myka. I just don't want her to get spooked by something random and then lose her rider. She has not yet experienced a rider coming off - other than refusing to let me get on when I was half way over, which is not quite the same as I could bail easily. Joe thinks she would find it very upsetting if it happened now - she needs a bigger window of tolerance first.
I think I need to ask a pro to do it with Myka. I just don't want her to get spooked by something random and then lose her rider. She has not yet experienced a rider coming off - other than refusing to let me get on when I was half way over, which is not quite the same as I could bail easily. Joe thinks she would find it very upsetting if it happened now - she needs a bigger window of tolerance first.
Asha
Well-Known Member
I am over the moon with her, shes just exceeding my expectations. But, i have to say so is her younger brother. Hes getting rave reviews from the yard and so far has been even easier to start than Amara was. I never expected that, hes always been more athletic, and i thought slightly sharper. But so far hes doing super. I had considered selling Amara, but the way shes going, shes not going anywhere just yet.
You are doing far better with Myka than i could ever do even with Amara. I wish i had your bravery / skill, but i dont. So i will keep paying the pros ! I have to say though, the hacking so far has been easier than in the school. So you may be pleasantly surprised. If you are worried though , using a pro for a bit is a very good idea.
Felix is coming on a treat isnt he, you must be very proud of him. Cant beat an Irish draught brain ! Sounds like he may be the one to hack out with Myka