christine48
Well-Known Member
Long reining is great for giving them a good mouth. I'd introduce it now.
Backing and breaking
- Thread starter Frances28
- Start date
Cahill
Well-Known Member
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No, I got him 2 days before that.
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you said he arrived on the 8th,the pics you posted were on the 9th
i would have brushed him 1st
you do seem in a hurry.
No, I got him 2 days before that.
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you said he arrived on the 8th,the pics you posted were on the 9th
i would have brushed him 1st
Frances28
Well-Known Member
Where have I said he arrived on the 8th? I must have been over excited and got the dates wrong (though it doesn't warrant too much of a discussion).
Yes, I might have come across that I was in a hurry. I was very excited! I have calmed down a bit now
He was brushed and kissed and hugged and still is
Yes, I might have come across that I was in a hurry. I was very excited! I have calmed down a bit now
Cahill
Well-Known Member
JanetGeorge
Well-Known Member
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I'll admit to not being able to hold down a 16.2 TB when I'm on the floor. But I know if I start them properly I can do it from on top - IF and only IF the mouthing is completed properly.
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Um ... hold it down?? Where??? Why????
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Long reining is great for giving them a good mouth. I'd introduce it now.
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I disagree! I tend to shudder when someone who is bringing a horse here to be backed tells me they have been long-reining it! In almost EVERY case, it tucks its nose under and fails to go forward properly!!
The problem with long-reining is it is totally disassociated from leg and seat aids - to my mind a horse is only FULLY and PROPERLY mouthed when he is in front of the rider's leg (going forward) and acceting the bit AT THE SAME TIME!
You can get a horse used to a bit in its mouth, you can even teach it to steer and stop on the 'bit aid' when leading - but you CANNOT mouth it fully from the ground because it needs to be pushed UP to the bit before it can accept it properly.
I'll admit to not being able to hold down a 16.2 TB when I'm on the floor. But I know if I start them properly I can do it from on top - IF and only IF the mouthing is completed properly.
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Um ... hold it down?? Where??? Why????
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Long reining is great for giving them a good mouth. I'd introduce it now.
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I disagree! I tend to shudder when someone who is bringing a horse here to be backed tells me they have been long-reining it! In almost EVERY case, it tucks its nose under and fails to go forward properly!!
The problem with long-reining is it is totally disassociated from leg and seat aids - to my mind a horse is only FULLY and PROPERLY mouthed when he is in front of the rider's leg (going forward) and acceting the bit AT THE SAME TIME!
You can get a horse used to a bit in its mouth, you can even teach it to steer and stop on the 'bit aid' when leading - but you CANNOT mouth it fully from the ground because it needs to be pushed UP to the bit before it can accept it properly.
Shannagolden
Well-Known Member
Each to their own and long reining can certainly do alot of damage if its not done well, but I wouldn't ride any horse that wasn't already turning, stopping and starting with confidence on the long reins. I always long rein in a head collar to begin with though as it is easy to pull the mouth about if the pony gets upset. I find long reining useful in that it gets the horse used to basic aids before it has to worry about the rider on its back. If they get used to voice aids it can only help to reassure him when you do ride. I also think that long reining can prevent problems such as napping from occurring later on. I'm not saying that it must be done this way, but this is what works for me.
I break hippos to ride and drive x
I break hippos to ride and drive x
Llanali
Well-Known Member
I was always taught that one long reined, if and when one introduced the horse to harness LOL But I appreciate that may be an old school method now.
I just wanted to wish OP good luck, and to say thank you to JanetGeorge for a fantastic insight.
I just wanted to wish OP good luck, and to say thank you to JanetGeorge for a fantastic insight.
Bossanova
Well-Known Member
I dont long rein at all in the backing process. It has little value unless you are getting the horse over a phobia of things moving against its sides or bringing an injured horse back into work
Kenzo
Well-Known Member
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I dont long rein at all in the backing process. It has little value unless you are getting the horse over a phobia of things moving against its sides or bringing an injured horse back into work
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Indeed, although I wont argue that it is very beneficial (in my view) but its not the be all and end all, for example my current horse has never been long reined, doesnt seem to have had any effects on his training and progress, although it is something that I have always done so with my others.
I dont long rein at all in the backing process. It has little value unless you are getting the horse over a phobia of things moving against its sides or bringing an injured horse back into work
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Indeed, although I wont argue that it is very beneficial (in my view) but its not the be all and end all, for example my current horse has never been long reined, doesnt seem to have had any effects on his training and progress, although it is something that I have always done so with my others.
Frances28
Well-Known Member
Super. Thank you.
Tia
Well-Known Member
*snigger*
As you can see by your very varied responses, some people really do seem to think it is their way, or the highway! Many of the opinions here are valid, some I would never do, some I have no time for, some I find beneficial, some I don't. Backing is an individual thing; individual for the rider and individual for the horse. I personally barely do any of the things suggested on this thread; a lot of mine I just jump on bareback and off we go; I've generally spent years getting them to the stage where I can do this. I find that they learn a little more every day and the end result is the same; a nicely balanced, forward going, well behaved and brave little horse. But then as I say, I am not in any rush to get the job done and have the horse out the door; I have years to bring my guys on which is not a luxury that a lot of producers/trainers have available to them.
As you can see by your very varied responses, some people really do seem to think it is their way, or the highway! Many of the opinions here are valid, some I would never do, some I have no time for, some I find beneficial, some I don't. Backing is an individual thing; individual for the rider and individual for the horse. I personally barely do any of the things suggested on this thread; a lot of mine I just jump on bareback and off we go; I've generally spent years getting them to the stage where I can do this. I find that they learn a little more every day and the end result is the same; a nicely balanced, forward going, well behaved and brave little horse. But then as I say, I am not in any rush to get the job done and have the horse out the door; I have years to bring my guys on which is not a luxury that a lot of producers/trainers have available to them.
JanetGeorge
Well-Known Member
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Backing is an individual thing; individual for the rider and individual for the horse. I personally barely do any of the things suggested on this thread; a lot of mine I just jump on bareback and off we go; I've generally spent years getting them to the stage where I can do this. I find that they learn a little more every day and the end result is the same; a nicely balanced, forward going, well behaved and brave little horse.
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And it's one of the BEST ways - if you're in a position to do it! My own babies get handled with backing in mind from the day they're born - so it's rarely an issue. Teaching a youngster to carry a rider when he has absolutely no fear is very easy indeed.
This colt was about 15 months when this pic was taken:
He saw NO reason to get up just because Mum was climbing over him! (Another breeder who was there when I did it nearly had a FIT!
) But the youngsters who come to us for backing - no WAY would I do that. Hell, most are on their feet so fast when you enter their stable you'd never get the chance.
Our current method - with two people - is safe and easy with horses who haven't had the early handling my own have had - and who have to be turned around quite quickly - but even it isn't set in stone. Some take more or less time for individual stages, some we lead with the rider initially - some we lunge with the rider straight off - depends on the individual horse and his responses to each stage. In the past I've backed horses with no help at all - it's perfectly do-able - just takes a little longer.
Backing is an individual thing; individual for the rider and individual for the horse. I personally barely do any of the things suggested on this thread; a lot of mine I just jump on bareback and off we go; I've generally spent years getting them to the stage where I can do this. I find that they learn a little more every day and the end result is the same; a nicely balanced, forward going, well behaved and brave little horse.
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And it's one of the BEST ways - if you're in a position to do it! My own babies get handled with backing in mind from the day they're born - so it's rarely an issue. Teaching a youngster to carry a rider when he has absolutely no fear is very easy indeed.
This colt was about 15 months when this pic was taken:
He saw NO reason to get up just because Mum was climbing over him! (Another breeder who was there when I did it nearly had a FIT!
Our current method - with two people - is safe and easy with horses who haven't had the early handling my own have had - and who have to be turned around quite quickly - but even it isn't set in stone. Some take more or less time for individual stages, some we lead with the rider initially - some we lunge with the rider straight off - depends on the individual horse and his responses to each stage. In the past I've backed horses with no help at all - it's perfectly do-able - just takes a little longer.
Daisychain
Well-Known Member
I personally think long reining is the key when breaking horses, you teach them to turn, go forward all in a driving position where they ultimately have to go forward with a bit of there own initiative, drive, drive, drive round the farm, quiet lanes wherever is safe, it definately helps prevent problems like napping etc developing, Richard Maxwell whom i am sure you have all heard of never lunges just long lines, and i am with him on his one!
I think most people think they cant do it, so avoid doing it as it is more tricky than lunging, i taught myself and have never cocked up a horse (yet!). If you talk to any old nags men, and i no one in particular, 'driving' as he calls it, is the key..
I think most people think they cant do it, so avoid doing it as it is more tricky than lunging, i taught myself and have never cocked up a horse (yet!). If you talk to any old nags men, and i no one in particular, 'driving' as he calls it, is the key..