Backing a cob x

sounds like me and you are at similar stage :) After spending lots of time bonding with horse eg brushing etc. I started ground work lunging and long reining. If your horse can listen well etc whilst doing ground work and seems to be interested then you should move on. Putting saddle on etc. I turned my horse away over this winter and have now just started riding him. I think if you know your horse you can tell if they are ready. Before the winter my horse was not quite ready. Now after being turned away I can tell he is really enjoying the work! :) hope this helps.
 
sounds like me and you are at similar stage :) After spending lots of time bonding with horse eg brushing etc. I started ground work lunging and long reining. If your horse can listen well etc whilst doing ground work and seems to be interested then you should move on. Putting saddle on etc. I turned my horse away over this winter and have now just started riding him. I think if you know your horse you can tell if they are ready. Before the winter my horse was not quite ready. Now after being turned away I can tell he is really enjoying the work! :) hope this helps.

Thanks, I havent got my youngster yet, but there are a few 3 year olds for sale, so just curious really.
 
I know they are all different in their maturity but what makes you decide what age to start doing more with your 3 year olds?

Just remember that although they are all different in their mental maturity, their skeletal maturity is the same regardless of breed, gender and type. The equine skeleton is fully mature at 6 years of age.

There are some lovely youngsters out there at the moment at tempting prices, I hope that you find what you're looking for. :D
 
Just remember that although they are all different in their mental maturity, their skeletal maturity is the same regardless of breed, gender and type. The equine skeleton is fully mature at 6 years of age.

There are some lovely youngsters out there at the moment at tempting prices, I hope that you find what you're looking for. :D

Thanks, we are going to look at two this week, both 3 year olds
 
I backed my appy x welsh at 3 but he was he really mature mentally and was learning sooo well! i backed him may and june and then turned him away until now. Just started rebacking him now at rising 4 and he is much much better than last year, more chilled and i can feel he is a lot physically stronger.

I have an exmoor filly who is 3 this year. she was wild september just gone but almost at stage of acting like a normal pony now. She is 11.3 1/2 hh in front and 12.1hh behind. I was originally planning on backing her july time but think now i may basically just sit on her august and maybe walk a few steps if she has evened out front to back and then leave her till she is 4.
 
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