Backing horses - does personality play a part in being successful?

[maya2008]

Because…out of my two kids, one is ridiculously awful at backing a sharper sort of pony and one is amazing - yet it’s completely the wrong way around!

Competent son who can sit anything and bring on a backed baby well, turning them into a model member of pony society…just cannot, really cannot, do the initial sitting on. For some reason I absolutely cannot fathom, with him on first, we get fireworks. Yet he does nothing physically wrong! I am standing next to him watching and there is literally no obvious reason. He can lie over nicely as many times as you want, pony totally calm, slowly sit up, get to one leg on each side and WHAM! I thought he was gripping or something but he isn’t. Same with or without a saddle.

His younger sister, who requires a kind steady pony because she can panic, can sit on the same pony at the same stage and there is no reaction from pony - despite her more fumbling movements and generally more anxious temperament. Once she has backed them, her brother can take over no problem, it’s just the initial sitting that causes the issue.

So… I’m stumped. I have never had an issue like this with me on first, and daughter has the same reaction I get. All calm, all fine, no problem. Future ponies will be big enough for me to do the initial sit, I just sit here sometimes and wonder why?!!!

 

[ycbm]

Often referred to as an electric seat

The biggest thing for the first sit is confidence. Despite their outward presentation, I suspect that somewhere deep in their psyche your daughter actually trusts the pony more and is more confident than your son that they won't kick off.
.

 

[SO1]

Is your daughter lighter than your son, does she take less of a contact, or spend more time with the pony pre backing stage?

 

[Maxidoodle]

As YCBM says, sounds like your son has an electric bum (although she phrased it a bit more polite ), as a child, my best friend at the time was the same, she was a lovely rider but even the steady neddies used to suddenly get a lot more oomf and explosions the minute she got on.

 

[maya2008]

It just…baffles me!

My son is 2kg heavier, about 2” taller than my daughter. Still only 10% of pony’s weight though. He did all the prep work he could - patting all over, leaning over, standing next to pony on mounting block, walking in hand, he can catch and put headcollar on himself. When pony first arrived, he was always the one pony trusted most - he’s like a feral pony whisperer on the ground, they all trust him.

Daughter had never been near the pony until today when we parked her on him. He went ‘Oh, what’s that?’ Then…’ohhh, do you need a cuddle (nuzzles, soft eyes)?’ Then didn’t bat an eye when she sat back on a second time. My son can get on, for the count of about 5, then they’re off! Currently getting on, then off, before the calm evaporates, but to be honest if I just stick my daughter on, life will be peaceful and happy in a few days and son can take over calmly.

I haven’t previously noticed an electric backside from him, except when he rides my husband’s 14.2hh NFxcob. He’s banned from that because saintly sweet steady gelding turns into a fire breathing charger and I hear too many ‘Yeehah’ squeals of joy combined with bucks and charging to catch up excited pony moments. Great for him and pony, who have a whale of a time. Not so great for my poor husband who gets back a revved up pony he doesn’t fancy riding!

 

[Snow Falcon]

I shouldn't laugh but my son has the great skill of winding our lovely pony up. She can be calm, a nice buckle end ride. He gets on and literally I see clouds of mud/dust. He's a nice rider but does like a good blast and jump so I think she senses this and gets bouncy!

 

[Trouper]

Horses "see" and "feel" a person's energy in ways we just don't. I guess the nearest equivalent we have now in our so-called civilised world is that feeling you get when you meet someone but just something about them doesn't gel.

Not sure you are ever going to be able to answer this question - unless you are a horse...................!!

 

[J&S]

I have backed two who both luckily turned out really well, I could not tell you how my personality affected them but my trainer once told me I was much too nice to my horses! didn't seem to do them any harm though.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Definitely has a hot seat

 

[Equi]

Projection. Daughter is probably thinking “don’t move don’t move don’t move” and son is thinking “we’re about to go weeeeeee”

 

[EarsofaSnowman]

Could there be a difference in expectation, in that your son may be sub consciously thinking about the next stages, whereas your daughter isn't, and so is asking less of the pony in that moment?
Or maybe the pony senses your daughter needs looking after.
Dynamics are a fascinating, and sometimes unfathomable, thing

 

[FitzyFitz]

Ha! it's just one of those things sometimes. Used to have a friend who turned any pony she rode into a raving lunatic. Luckily she was gutsy. My Dad is the same too, never has a calm ride not even on other peoples ponies.