Backing/Breaking service, what to expect?

[Sparkeyboy]

I bought a youngster last year and will be looking to send her for breaking next year. I did my last 2 horses myself, some 15 years ago, before unfortunately losing my facilities so I don't have much experience or knowledge of what a professional service offers. I have a few names to contact but would love to hear your experiences of what a backing/breaking service looks like.

I know the answer to this is very dependent on type of horse, but what would you expect is the average stay for a horse to be backed and riding away?
Would you expect a written agreement to be provided and to be signed?
Are costs monthly, like a livery agreement? Or do you pay in full before, after the horse is backed?
Is it acceptable to visit and ask to watch some of the progress?
Would I provide the saddle?

Would you expect horses to be confident long reining before sending them, or are they sent with minimal groundwork and this is all factored into the cost by the breaker?

Finally, what are the costs for these services? (I'm in the North West, UK)

Thank you

 

[gallopingby]

Piece of string question! There are lots of options but my first non negotiable would be past experience and references from recent users. I would expect to be able to visit when in the area or l decided to, but wouldn’t expect to be able to see the horse being worked and would consider the commitments of the yard, having had a bad experience many years ago if there’s even a snuff that something might not be going well l would be there within 24 hours and would remove the horse if necessary.
Not all horse people are super organised in the way of contracts but some are and l’ve seen written contracts listing expectations from both sides which you need to sign. For something like this you’re probably going to pay upwards of £300 a week. I don’t think you can put a limit on how long it takes as every one is different - some people will offer an ‘all in” package ie for £xxxx you will be able to xxxxx when the horse is ready to come home, you will be able to hack / school / take to a show before returning.
Payment - no way would l pay the lot in advance. Monthly or weekly might be an option and a deposit up front if asked for.
I think most people would prefer the horse to be ok wearing tack and good to lead but not much more. It takes far longer to sort out someone’s problems. Obviously a bonus if tack has been sorted out before but not always required - be prepared for it to get damaged if the yards is busy / big / open.
Hope this help. Good luck

 

[WelshD]

I've sent a few away and allowed 10-12 weeks, though one was back in 8 weeks and I couldn't fault that service

An agreement was signed yes

I paid weekly n each case and any extras as they were billed

Yes I had updates which ranged from daily to weekly, I had videos of the backing process in all instances.

I have provided saddles and also not provided them, a lot depended on how much the pony changed shape (a couple had saddles fitted or refitted mid process) and also depended on what the professional had to hand themselves

One had been backed at home before going but generally they all had minimal groundwork before going

What I would say is look at what the pro does themselves, do they vanish off to stay away SJ shows for days? - for example I would never send a pony to a show producer in summer again as they are just so busy and I was paying good money for pony to be stood around in a field for days on end. Its another matter if they have capable staff left at home.

 

[Sparkeyboy]

Thank you both for your responses, really helpful

 

[WelshD]

The other thing I would add is that I would ensure that wolf teeth had been removed or were deemed not to be in the way

I once had a pony that had been bitted with his large wolf teeth in (previous to me owning him) and it caused no end of bridling problems later down the line

Oh, just saw your comments about cost, I have paid from £75 -180 a week but if sending one off now I would probably budget £1K a month

 

[fidleyspromise]

When I sent my pony away livery was weekly.
They specified there was no guarantee as to how long it would take - ended up 6 weeks.
Mine had been lunged, not long reined. She had been out ride and lead so was used to seeing rider above her. She was 7.
Written agreement is dependent- I didn't have one. We had fb messages where I gave a full history of my nervy pony and stated if they couldn't back her don't worry as it was 50/50 in my mind.

I visited weekly. There were also videos of the whole process. My pony was relaxed. She'd never worn a saddle and they had her lunging in it first day (I'd sat saddle on her but not girthed up as I knew that could become an issue I didn't have experience to deal with. As it was she tried to kick it off with her hind leg).

They used their own saddle.

Can't say for costs as that was 10 years ago. I was £110 a week then.

I got in touch with a backer near me last year and they like no work to be done so they have a blank canvas/don't have to undo any mistakes.

As above reply I had her wolf teeth removed and plan to get new ponies removed too.