Backing 'experts' - your opionions please

[moneypit1]

I have only backed two youngsters before, one was sold after backing the other I schooled on for 6 months before selling. Both were as good as gold and did not present me with any problems. I long reined both for a couple of weeks before backing. My current youngster i have long lined only a handful of times in full tack but he again was as good as gold. I have been up on board a couple of times for 10 mins or so. Yesterday I got on again with the intention of following a couple of liveries 1/2 a mile down the road but he was so good I ended up going with them at a steady walk on the whole hack for a good 45mins. I am so pleased with him, he was forward going and brilliant with the odd car that passed us. He is only 3 1/2 and I wonder weather to continue this over the winter a couple of times a week and see how he copes. The thing is, shall I continue with the long lining or just get on with it from the saddle? My other youngsters were 4 when I started them so am wary of doing too much too soon. Your opinions appreciated. thankies xx

 

[mintaka04]

I had an anglo arab that was professionally backed at 2 years 10 months.
He was pretty much as you describe your horse, so I just got on with it.
He was fine.

 

[Silverspring]

Depends on what bred he is, the older breeds tend to mature at a younger age. So it would be fine to ride and ID x at 3 but you wouldn't want to be working a WB to hard at that age as it would stil be growing.

 

[ihatework]

I'd probably hack him about for a month or two and then leave him until Spring

 

[Kenzo]

My horse has never been longed reined

just lunged lightly at the age of 3, was backed in Jan at 3 1/2 and schooled/ridden gently since then, just the last couple months he's been hacking out what I'd call doing some work, he turned 4 in June....its not done him any harm, he's loving it.

 

[moneypit1]

[ QUOTE ]
Depends on what bred he is, the older breeds tend to mature at a younger age. So it would be fine to ride and ID x at 3 but you wouldn't want to be working a WB to hard at that age as it would stil be growing.

[/ QUOTE ]

He is a WB, Friesian x TB and yes, I think he still has a lot of growing to do. I would not even think of doing any formal schooling of course but he is just so keen to learn. The thing is, it is so easy to get carried away isn't it. x

 

[Maesfen]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Depends on what bred he is, the older breeds tend to mature at a younger age. So it would be fine to ride and ID x at 3 but you wouldn't want to be working a WB to hard at that age as it would stil be growing.

[/ QUOTE ]

He is a WB, Friesian x TB and yes, I think he still has a lot of growing to do. I would not even think of doing any formal schooling of course but he is just so keen to learn. The thing is, it is so easy to get carried away isn't it. x

[/ QUOTE ]

First of all, congratulations on doing such a good job on his starting, he will always remember what you have taught him but do beware of taking his good behaviour for granted, it can so quickly go wrong if you push on too quickly.
That happened with Joey who was just three; he was so good, it was easy for the owner to get carried away (not in what he was asking him to do, which was just walking under saddle, but the length of time and every day so he didn't get a break because he was only walking) Joey threw his toys out the pram big style and found all sorts of evasions such as taking off in long reins on the common and getting away, massive broncing attacks, throwing himself down on the ground and so on; very distressing to see if I'm honest as he's never been anything else other than a complete gentleman to handle. Owner admitted he must have just pushed too hard too quickly, gave him a week off then went back to the start again, lunging and long reining, but this time only once or twice a week, sometimes due to owner's work, he'd not be touched for a fortnight at a time but because he was taking everything much slower, he could start where he left off and not even need to long rein before getting on him (not that I recommend that for every young horse BTW!

) Just giving him the extra time in between sessions seems to have done the trick as after all, he's still a baby and everything needs time to sink in with regular breaks I think.
So please use that as a bit of a warning and give your boy a bit more time, like maybe, some mini breaks in between days of work; it shouldn't do him any harm and hopefully it will avoid any 'toys out of the pram' moments because he feels pressured too quickly.

 

[AmyMay]

He sounds like a super star.

Don't push it though. 45 mins is an awful long time. At my yard they tend to walk out for no more than 2 weeks for about 30mins and then get turned away to think about it all. This is usually for a minimum of 6 months before being started again.

 

[moneypit1]

Thanks everyone, I am in no hurry as have two horses in work that take almost ALL of my time! I think I know the answer really, go slow and let him be a baby for the winter with perhaps ground work once a week. It is just so tempting sometimes! xx

 

[Shilasdair]

I agree with Amymay; 45mins in walk is a long time for a baby to be carrying a rider, especially when he's not fit.
Better to do shorter sessions more often, and not tax him too much physically.
Glad it is going well though
S

 

[Theresa_F]

Chancer at 3 did a short hack - 15 - 20 mins once a week, normally on a Sunday 10 - 15 mins in the school once a week - normally a Thursday and on Tuesdays and Saturdays two short ground sessions for 10 - 15 mins doing various things.

For him this was right - he is a mature sort that needs to do a little something every couple of days and this has been the case since he was 2, or he turns into a bolshy pest. He needs to be given something to think about or he gets very bored and cannot be left in the field for days or he starts to destroy the place.

He is now 4 and doing the same but for longer and with different things being introduced, we do up to 1 hour gentle hack and 30 mins in the school twice a week and 1 groundwork session. He finds hacking very tiring compared to schooling as he is looking and taking so much in.

Our new clydie is the same age as him but very green and clumsy so we are doing 4 days a week, 2 ground and will be doing 2 ridden from the weekend but taking things very gently as she has done mainly hacking until now with her previous owner. She is far more laid back than Chancer and happy out in the field and not being bored.

I did not turn him away, (a) he would be very bored and bolshy and (b) in winter ours have to be in at nights and three days a week there is no t/o so keeping him busy mentally is essential. As long as he has a day or so between sessions to think about what he has learnt. Farra on the other hand seems to be the type that could be left for several weeks and then picked up again.

Good luck with him - he sounds lovely.

 

[JM07]

[ QUOTE ]
you wouldn't want to be working a WB to hard at that age as it would stil be growing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Try telling that to the Belgians, the Dutch and the Germans!!!!

OP..I think what you propose to be doing with your youngster would be fine if you shorten the hacking time to say 30 mins...i'm a great believer in little and often..and don't go for the back them and turn them away theory at all

 

[doodle]

I think you should leave him at that now and turn him away till the spring.

 

[keekee]

Hello my dear who was the other youngster u backed ???? good ol blue bless him he was sooooo easy and good i personally think with harry as i know him you should carry on with what your doin for a couple of weeks and get some breaks and steering then turn him away for the winter which would be easyer for you anywayn and let him finish growing...........xx