Backing 3/4yr olds

[ElvisandTilly]

I think I might have seen your lad today when I went to Guy's to visit my little Highland. He is gorgeous and looked very content there!

Aww how lovely! Is your highland in the stable opposite? Your highland is gorgeous too and has such a kind eye . How is everything progressing? My lad is coming on so well and Guy is so calm and doing an amazing job! Bailey has just started his 4th week.

 

[maya2008]

Yesterday, the youngster I was leading decided, half way down a hill in walk, to squeal and reverse into my pony, kicking. No reason that anyone could see, a second before we were all picking our way quietly down a grassy hill. Mine was too stunned to react - I swung her out of the way, let out the lead rope so they were a good distance apart and then verbally told off the little madam, whip transferred to her side for threat. She then decided if she was clearly not allowed to beat up my mare, she’d try to get the one behind her - so we had to ride home with me holding her back enough her back legs were away from my mare, my son boxing her in from behind with his whip stretched out to stop her falling back and trying to kick. Which she tried twice, and got a tap on the bottom twice to send her forwards.

When we got home I remembered another similar youngster, who kicked up an almighty fuss on the lead when she felt ready for an off lead rider. So I popped my son on her. Lo and behold they made it up and down and round the track by the field just fine on their own in walk, trot and canter! That’s that one backed then!