Backing babies

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bugbee717

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I have been looking through the ads, facebook, why has it become ok to back babies at 1 1/2 or 2, I have babies they will not be touched till they are 3 1/2, my warmblood 5. We do the ground skills, leading loading etc, what is the rush, please someone enlighten me.
 
I mainly do mine in the spring of their 3rd year and then turn them away. Did do one when he was 2 1/2 as he was very solidly built and was physically strong
 
Mines just about three and in the paddock learning horse manners and how to behave with humans.

The just on five year old has just come back from being broken in.

I think it is really wrong to break them in under 3yrs of age, their joints are still so fragile and I want my horses to last without having to inject hocks and the like at 6 - 7 yrs old.
 
Surely it depends what they mean by backed? I'll be sat on my baby before she's three-but only sat on, no walking etc, because ive so far found that her only scary bit is weight on her back. But I certainly won't be riding til she's gone three-which is next summer-then il turn away for the winter and ride her away at 4.
 
I am talking about fully broken to ride, hacking, jumping. It seems to be a current trend at the moment, looking at the horse ads I have horses in full work at just three.only last night I made comment on a photo of a trainer who backs horses, he backs them at 1 1/2 to 2 only to be told he has been doing it for 40 years so he must know what he is doing.
 
11/2 - 2 sounds very very young IMO. My youngster is 3 1/2 and in light work - i mean hacking mainly in walk only and schooling for 20 - 30 mins 1 x per week, i will keep her ticking over through the winter but only what am doing now - weather dependent :rolleyes: and won't consider starting jumping or fast work till this time next year (she will be over 4 1/2).
 
It isn't a case of the the joints maturing, it's the whole skeleton, and the last part to mature is the spine - right where we sit.....Dr. Debs article on skeleton maturation should be compulsory reading for everyone bringing on youngsters. There is so much you can do without putting any pressure on their spines at all!!! So when you do finally sit there, it's no big deal....
 
Alyth said:
It isn't a case of the the joints maturing, it's the whole skeleton, and the last part to mature is the spine - right where we sit.....Dr. Debs article on skeleton maturation should be compulsory reading for everyone bringing on youngsters. There is so much you can do without putting any pressure on their spines at all!!! So when you do finally sit there, it's no big deal....
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I TOTALLY agree. Just because a horse looks strong and sturdy, doesn't mean that internally it is! Read up on growth plates people!!

http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_2008/ranger_piece_2008_pdf1.pdf

Let them have a babyhood. If people aren't patient enough to give them time, don't get a youngster. Simplez
 
Ive had a ton of pressure to break my 3yr old, i admit its tempting, but not only does he have a nervie edge to him im just not willing to comprimise him, yes he look like a horse at 3 years and 3 months but what gives it away for me is he still has such a foal like tail!

we instead do lots of de spooking work, things like learning to have the hose on him so its no big deal, small amount of lunging introducing to poles and lots of long rening, weve just started long reining on the roads. and when i have a very lightweight person about we do the leaning across work and wander about.

somebody i know has a 2.5 yr old warmblood she has broken that and been riding him around the yard. id like to personally kill her.
 
nope i agree it is more common these days. ther person that has the warmblood.. she has a 19 ye old she has had since a baby, its legs are shot, lumps swellings etc over fetlocks knees and hocks. she was also broken younge.
 
I'm intending to back my youngster next year once he's three - wouldn't consider backing him now - he's enormous and looks very mature from the side, but from the front he's still very very narrow and obviously has a lot more growing to do. I don't understand what the rush is to be honest - I'm enjoying being around him, de spooking etc and may start a bit of long reining. Once backed I intend to do a bit of hacking and then turn away til he's four, then he'll be doing more hacking to strengthen and Build his muscles. I like baby horses to be baby horses :)
 
My youngster is 4; he will be 4 and 1/2 in November.

He started his backing in June, had most of July off due to some medical bits and bobs [sarcoid treatment and abcess] and recommenced his education in August.

Before this point, I had done a hell of a lot of groundwork with him so nothing had a novelty factor and was just "normal."

He is being worked 5 days a week, for between 20-30 mins a time. He is working on his walk, trot, halt and transitions. Like most babies, he isn't strong and we are building up his fitness by hacking him out, which he is doing brilliantly at. Our aim is to build up his fitness, which in turn will help with bringing on his schooling. He is nowhere near balanced enough to hammer him into cantering, jumping etc, and I am in no hurry whatsoever to rush him. When he is stronger, and is more balanced, then we'll progress further.

He is a big horse who will be maturing over the next year or so, and my plan is to hack him, lightly school over the winter and next April/May when he has properly built up his strength, we'll progress him further.

Some people may think my way is going to be too slow, but what's the hurry? He's been hacking for 2 weeks alone and in company and already is stronger and fitter. We have plenty of short routes round where we are, which can involve hills, which will be integrated into his routine. I'm in no rush, and long term, this will help him, and me.

Just my thoughts anyway. :)
 
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