Backing weight

Spiritedly

Spiritedly

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What is the maximum weight people would say was acceptable for backing a 3 yr old? I know it would depend on height and type but as an example? What weight rider have owners on here used to back their horses/ ponies? and what height/ type were the horses/ ponies?
I'm looking at maybe backing our 3 yr old over the summer but I don't feel my children have the necessary experience, although my youngest has sat on him bareback and with tack whilst being led when we tried without him being led pony took off bucking :eek: son stayed on very well but is a little unsure about trying again :(, so I was thinking of getting someone else to do the initial work but I'm not sure on weight limit.
Pony is approx 13hh and a cob x dhp

312070_2126513080988_1190730341_2567832_530017258_n.jpg
 
For a pony that size i would say 9 stone or under. Iam about 8 1/2 stone and that would be the smallest pony i would back. I have backed quite a few now. If that is a recent picture however i would suggest you wait a few more monthes/a year. Still looks a bit imature physically. Some horses/ponies are not ready till 4 or 5 years old, some are ready at 3, just depends on the way each horse is maturing.
Hope that helps.
 
He looks pretty mature to me ;-) Very gorgeous too!

I would say around 9st to back and bring on. Best of luck - he looks lush! I love a good dark piebald!
 
Well, I backed my fairly light weight TB at 4 and I was a good 11 stone ( I know, I'm a porker!). At work we had a 10 stone weight limit for backing (but those were 2yos in a flat racing yard), I was thinner back then.

Not really sure about ponies, I haven't done a pony since I was a teenager. That said I remember doing a section B at about 15/16 and I'd have been nearly 10 stone then I should think.
 
Thankyou, The pic is actually him as a 2yr old I just couldn't find any recent ones that showed him off as well....he normally has his head down filling his face!. I was thinking about the 9st mark so looks like I'll be going on a diet over the summer :o
This is him 2 months ago

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Ours are warmblood types, but the guy that backs initially is about 150lbs (between 10 and 11 stones) but he only tends to only do the walking around, and a couple of little trots.

After that it's a 110lb girl that does the real work for us.
 
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