Backing my 4 yr old - week 5 update - serious progress!

[scotsmare]

Bit late this week - too pre-occupied with other stuff

Well, the big news is that she was properly sat on for the first time on Thursday by a real person (dummy pilot no longer up to the job

)

She did only manage six strides before she kind of lost the plot but still a huge leap forward (literally

)

The whole lungeing / long-reining thing is apparently boring now and she's trotting / cantering round with the dummy on like a donkey.

Still got another 4 weeks to go before saddle fitter comes out so hopefully I'll be able to sit on her by then

 

[AmyMay]

Getting there then......

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Coolio!!

 

[scotsmare]

Slowly but surely...... at least somethings going right

 

[MrsMozart]

Yay

.

...still need piccies...

.

 

[tania01]

Glad all is going well,the black one in my pics is only 4 and has been a total saint.

Keep us updated with pics.

 

[now_loves_mares]

Great news! Can't wait to see pics.

I'm amazed that when I backed mine as a 3yo, I got on her on the 3rd day, she took to it so well - she was trotting off the lead the next day. But then turned wild as a 4yo, so I think that it's a case of "bad dress rehearsal" - ie get all the naughtiness out of their system before they get strong and cocky

 

[scotsmare]

LOL - I didn't have her backed at 3 cos she was still growing.

Her sister was a pain in the backside to back also - v. v. sharp so I'm considering investing in a parachute (and one of those point 2 air jackets - bet by the time I'm done the 'cost per wear' will be 10p

)

 

[tasel]

Aaaahhhh!!! This is your 4-year-old!!!

My 4yo is also such a character. She drove her previous trainers mad to the point that she was returned and wasn't sat on for 8 months!!! I think I asked you before where to get such a dummy pilot once, since I didn't want to risk my own arms and legs. However, I then decided to sit on her a few weeks ago, and she behaved impeccably, but then she became unsound and is now on box rest... aarrrgh!!!

I think the reason she behaved impeccably is because she was starting to get jealous of the horses that are actually in work!?!? She constantly watched them as if she was trying to compete, and was just very keen to progress, I think. She didn't mind me on her too much - to the point that she forgot I was on her and was like

when after 10 minutes, I wanted to get off, and she realised I was still there!!!

I personally think those Warmbloods like yours that have the character and that are a bit difficult at the start are the ones that do well in competitions in future - they have the confidence and the show-off attitude that such horses usually need to be successful...