Backing mid winter-anyone else?!

[Hallo2012]

anyone else going through the backing process in -2 and the dark?!

every evening i think i must be insane but every evening my little 4yo proves me wrong.......no lunging just 5-10 min of in-hand work before i get on and we are trotting happily........albeit our circles are a bit potato shaped as currently bitless due to wolf teeth extraction!

not counting my chickens until we are cantering but.......so far so good! just willing the daylight along so i can start doing micro hacks after work.

 

[windand rain]

Had all the checks done just need to start doing something but as I no longer ride I have to have someone willing to come out in the cold

 

[Tarragon]

I am! But not got to the sitting on stage yet. I am enjoying it! At this time of year I don't normally have enough time to take out a ridden pony for a proper ride as have to fit it in before work and am usually a bit frustrated by the time you get to the end of January. Instead, I have no rideable pony at the moment, and easily spend 20 minutes to half an hour each day gradually introducing my new riding partner to the world of being a ridden pony and feel that I have accomplished something. All very satisfying and I am very excited about the thought of actually starting to ride by the time spring is here.
Your both look very pleased with yourselves in the photo, and your pony is gorgeous!

 

[milliepops]

as soon as his wound finishes healing i'll be back to starting my 4yo i do at least have an indoor arena tho

 

[MissTyc]

I am barely able to contain my youngster's enthusiasm. He's only 3.5yrs so wouldn't be backed until the summer anyway or next year, but recently I commented that I would never back mid winter and he's full of the frosty excitements!

 

[smolmaus]

View attachment 86151

Look at this little beauty!!! ???

We are doing bits and pieces! I said I would leave backing till the spring but she's been so good about everything that I'm being nagged to just find a saddle to fit the table-top and get on with it ? Liveries, friends, even the farrier! They hear she's 8 and start panicking she's going to shrivel and turn to dust if she doesn't have a job or something.

 

[twiggy2]

I used to have to ride my youngster after work so after 8 sometimes later, the school lights were on a ti er and went off at 9pm so I used to wear a head torch if I was riding late , we had one or two scary moments but generally she was as good as gold

 

[TheHairyOne]

This popped up on my timeline today. His first canter under saddle way back in 2017. Aside from the very first bits I did it on my own with my sister at home, me on the phone to her on speaker so she could come and rescue me if it went silent.

 

[Hallo2012]

as soon as his wound finishes healing i'll be back to starting my 4yo i do at least have an indoor arena tho

will be trying to hire an indoor a bit of the weather turns.....it might be cold but its been remarkably dry and very still so far!!!!

 

[Hallo2012]

Look at this little beauty!!! ???

We are doing bits and pieces! I said I would leave backing till the spring but she's been so good about everything that I'm being nagged to just find a saddle to fit the table-top and get on with it ? Liveries, friends, even the farrier! They hear she's 8 and start panicking she's going to shrivel and turn to dust if she doesn't have a job or something.

mine is an absolute table top also, huge crest no withers totally flat back-black country is working so far.

 

[Hallo2012]

This popped up on my timeline today. His first canter under saddle way back in 2017. Aside from the very first bits I did it on my own with my sister at home, me on the phone to her on speaker so she could come and rescue me if it went silent.

View attachment 86154

lol! my OH keeps leaving me to it-"you will be ok if i go out?"

yeah 99% he will be ok thankfully!

 

[daffy44]

I've done several this time of year, never been a problem.

 

[palo1]

anyone else going through the backing process in -2 and the dark?!

every evening i think i must be insane but every evening my little 4yo proves me wrong.......no lunging just 5-10 min of in-hand work before i get on and we are trotting happily........albeit our circles are a bit potato shaped as currently bitless due to wolf teeth extraction!

not counting my chickens until we are cantering but.......so far so good! just willing the daylight along so i can start doing micro hacks after work.View attachment 86151

Gorgeous pony - what is his/her breeding?

 

[Marigold4]

I am! Inhand, voice commands on the lunge, long-reining, leaning over and now riding bareback on the lunge in walk teaching him steering, walk halt and halt walk. Only doing 15 mins sessions in our tiny school so managing to squeeze it in during shorter days. Once they've stopped blasting the poor old pheasants out of the sky, we'll be out hacking hopefully.

 

[Hallo2012]

Gorgeous pony - what is his/her breeding?

He's a 4yo welsh C stallion by Laurtom Masterpiece out of a Synod mare

 

[stangs]

Oh I love a Welsh C, sounds like he's a right dude too.

 

[ycbm]

I would if I didn't have my other one to ride but I can't be bothered until the weather is better while I've got one in full work in winter.

Cute little fellow you have there .

 

[Boulty]

Very very slowly... Still on the mainly long reining stage. Have sat on him a few times bareback & been led around by my instructor. Hopefully getting a saddle fitted next month & then I guess we'll start to explore how much steering & brakes have carried over from the groundwork & longreining (well tbf I think our main issue might be finding the "go" button)

 

[Cob Life]

I’m rebacking a tb mare very very slowly after she’s had 4 years off and been treated for ulcers.
Two laps in walk is the most we’ve done