Backing a problem mare

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Hecken92

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Hi everyone! Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place as I'm new here...
At my yard, I've kind of taken on responsibility for helping a 'dangerous' TB mare become useful.
A year ago, when I first took her on, it took 45 minutes to catch her and bring her in from the field but now she happily comes in and stands to be rugged/groomed/stabled etc and has also learned tricks such as kiss and jambette. This from the mare I was told was dangerous and couldn't learn anything!
Anyway, this year I'm hoping to back her which so far, no-one has managed. She will wear tack, be lunged and even be leaned over but apparently (I've not seen it myself... Yet!) will buck and bronc if you sit in the saddle and she has broken arms, been sent home from a (useless) breaking yard labelled as dangerous etc, etc.
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to why she might behave this way and if, with time and patience, she could be broken in. She's 13 years old and I've been told she's past learning anything but I don't believe this as she loves her trick training lessons with me and is a very friendly mare underneath her nerves. Could she be cold backed? Does it sound like a physical issue or a mental issue? And how can I help her learn to enjoy being ridden?
Any advice is welcome - I am hoping to get a back specialist out to see her but as she isn't my horse, it's easier said than done!
 
It could be either or both. Even if she isn't in pain now, it could be remembered pain from the past. I would definitely get her back checked, & be super careful with saddling. Then if that's all clear, just take it very slow.
 
Sounds to me like she's had a fright and been left to get on with it! If you've built up a trust with her and there's nothing wrong with her back then time could be the healer! The problem your gunna have is that she's been tought a bad habit of chucking people off when she's afraid then left alone insted of being worked with untill she would carry a rider so through past people there's a chance she'll never accept being ridden! Your just going to have to judge through her actions wether or not she is safe once you start riding her! A few bronks here and there arnt bad but if she starts summersalting and won't settle at all then you'd be better leaving her be and calling it a day! Just be very careful you don't get hurt! If your not experienced in braking tb's and youngsters your best leaving her alone but if you are she could prove to be a great achievement but don't beat your self up if she's just not ment to be ridden! Good luck!
 
311638_10150939502067307_724613902_n.jpg


^^^Not sure if that'll work but I thought I'd add a photo of her - my favourite one of me & her :)
 
More like pain than fright. I'm not saying the other yard wasn't useless, but just leave that in the past. I'm not one of these blame pain for every little thing, but I break lots of horses and no bucking broncs. If we did, since we are very considerate of learning babies and don't frighten them, I would have them checked out.

Here's the thing, in order for you to do a very good job, she has to know you are to be trusted and in control. Don't confuse that with a magical bond. Letting her get away with stuff because you want to be her friend won't help her. Breaking can be very easy and done correctly is learning and fun for the horse. But it's not a game. Forget the past, within reason, and start as you mean to go on. Please don't take that the wrong way. It's not how it's intended.

Make sure you have a capable ground person helping that knows or gets to know her. Someone that works with young horses. Nothing like being thrown up by someone who only knows broken and forgiving horses. A slam on the mouth, an awkward leg up, and now you've got more fright.

Also you have to have a feel for progression. Too much lunging for too long a time gives you a fit bored horse. Too little and they don't have a clue. Long lining would be very beneficial, but again only if you're confident in your ability to do it right. I suggest practicing on older horses if you don't have much experience. Long lining all around the farm is great for confidence as well as being led around the property with a trusted ground person. Can't emphasise that enough. This is me personally but I wouldn't recommend being lunged while on her. Again most people do, I will not. Going straight while being led outside the arena and in is far better for gaining confidence with me on board. I can move all over, pat all over and get them used to me being there.

But look, this is an Internet. I don't know you or your horse. Most of these is all feel. But don't fall into the fairytail of me and my horse all by ourselves overcome the odds. If you really don't want your mare to get a fright again I suggest working with an experienced breaking partner. Many people do it on their own. My husband and I work as a team and the horses benefit. Broncing under saddle just isn't acceptable. Note different from horses having a happy hop that know their jobs.

Terri
 
Well done you for helping this mare. She is 13, had no trust in people and got herself a dangerous label, probably through no fault of her own. Yes, get her back checked, she could be in pain, but, sadly she has learnt how to dump a rider and that is a substantial problem. If her back can be sorted and you want to be able to ride her, she needs to go to a pro.

She trusts you and you can still have great times together. I'm fairly ancient, but I'd be content with that.
 
I did wonder about getting someone to break her for driving as if she has it fixed in her head that rider goes on floor, maybe learning to drive would be an alternative? She has a beautiful trot so she would work well for it and I'd love to learn to drive...
 
Lovely picture. However, whilst I think that once backed and ridden away she should carry you fine, I would get someone very lightweight to do the first ..

Also, I may be wrong but she does seem to have some muscle wasting behind the shoulders. I would suspect a back issue going on and would want her fully checked out including xrays before attempting to back her. Good luck
 
Equilibrium Ireland - Thanks for that, that's the kind of useful advice I needed. I will be working with someone else and I think they'll probably be the ones to back her/get on as I can get nervous and I wouldn't want that to convey to her. Plus, my friend has a much stickier bum than me :p
 
littlelegs said:
It could be either or both. Even if she isn't in pain now, it could be remembered pain from the past. I would definitely get her back checked, & be super careful with saddling. Then if that's all clear, just take it very slow.
Click to expand...

Good advice.

Was she broken to race do you know?
 
Equilibrium Ireland said:
More like pain than fright. I'm not saying the other yard wasn't useless, but just leave that in the past. I'm not one of these blame pain for every little thing, but I break lots of horses and no bucking broncs. If we did, since we are very considerate of learning babies and don't frighten them, I would have them checked out.

Here's the thing, in order for you to do a very good job, she has to know you are to be trusted and in control. Don't confuse that with a magical bond. Letting her get away with stuff because you want to be her friend won't help her. Breaking can be very easy and done correctly is learning and fun for the horse. But it's not a game. Forget the past, within reason, and start as you mean to go on. Please don't take that the wrong way. It's not how it's intended.

Make sure you have a capable ground person helping that knows or gets to know her. Someone that works with young horses. Nothing like being thrown up by someone who only knows broken and forgiving horses. A slam on the mouth, an awkward leg up, and now you've got more fright.

Also you have to have a feel for progression. Too much lunging for too long a time gives you a fit bored horse. Too little and they don't have a clue. Long lining would be very beneficial, but again only if you're confident in your ability to do it right. I suggest practicing on older horses if you don't have much experience. Long lining all around the farm is great for confidence as well as being led around the property with a trusted ground person. Can't emphasise that enough. This is me personally but I wouldn't recommend being lunged while on her. Again most people do, I will not. Going straight while being led outside the arena and in is far better for gaining confidence with me on board. I can move all over, pat all over and get them used to me being there.

But look, this is an Internet. I don't know you or your horse. Most of these is all feel. But don't fall into the fairytail of me and my horse all by ourselves overcome the odds. If you really don't want your mare to get a fright again I suggest working with an experienced breaking partner. Many people do it on their own. My husband and I work as a team and the horses benefit. Broncing under saddle just isn't acceptable. Note different from horses having a happy hop that know their jobs.

Terri
Click to expand...

Again, more good advice.

Can I just add though (without anyone taking offence) - please make sure you use a nice lightweight rider to back her, once all physical issues have been ruled out.
 
Amy may - I don't know if she was broken to race as her passport is all rubbish so I think it's faked. And I have a l/w girl on hand to help with backing :)
 
Hecken92 said:
Amy may - I don't know if she was broken to race as her passport is all rubbish so I think it's faked. And I have a l/w girl on hand to help with backing :)
Click to expand...

Brilliant.

Well good luck with her - and let us know how you get on.

And with someone else doing the 'getting on' make sure you and they have insurance.
 
Another point... all that have tried to ride her.... have they just hopped on?

People seem to look at a baby and take things at a pace to teach them everything without confusing or overwhelming them. It's very easy to see a 13 yo who can take tack on a lunge and just assume they'll accept a rider.

I'd get a professional in (not your friend unless trained) to take things at a suitable pace and to know whether there is real pain behind the behaviour or not.

Late backing is fine (we'll have a 9 yo next year to do and have previously) however it's not fine to rush it simply because they're older and they should 'get it' faster :)
 
You've gotten some good advice. I just wanted to tell you a story to maybe offer a little encouragement. Keep in mind I've been starting horses for quite a few years so the situation is a little different. We bought (very cheaply) a mare that had been to a couple trainers and they couldn't even get her to lead without rearing, she was 7. One of the trainers told me "that thing is crazy"! It took a while, but today, 5 years later she has given many people their first ride and loves it. She is the most trustworthy horse with a beginner you could ever ask for. People are waiting to buy her in case we would want to sell her, including an area Vet, she's that well behaved. So, your mare may turn out absolutely wonderful, just be careful.
 
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