Backing - where should I spend my money?

[gingergreg]

I'm so indecisive, it's probably my worst attribute. I cannot for the life of me make a firm plan of what to do and the clock is ticking.

Would you rather spend less on backing and have more funds available for lessons afterwards (1-2 pw) or invest more money into it from the outset and have the horse started by a trainer you really rate but then have fewer lessons afterwards (probably fortnightly)?

The cheaper option is still good, absolutely not a 'make do' choice.

Some background for perspective, I've always been a bit of a happy hacker but really want to improve my riding and work towards some low level showing and dressage with the longer term aim of affiliated BD.

What would you do? I need to make a decision and get something booked asap.

 

[LEC]

You have one shot at getting backing right. You are setting the tone and education which will be the foundations for the rest of their life. You can be cheap about it, or you spend your money once and wisely as its a fundamental investment.

 

[gingergreg]

You have one shot at getting backing right. You are setting the tone and education which will be the foundations for the rest of their life. You can be cheap about it, or you spend your money once and wisely as its a fundamental investment.

Yes, this is what I'm thinking. Don't get me wrong, the cheaper option isn't 'cheap' and I personally know people who've used them before and have been very pleased. BUT like you say, there's one chance to get it right and it's the foundation upon what everything else will be built on. He's likely to be my last horse so I want to make the most of it and enjoy every minute!

 

[lottiepony]

For me the price is irrelevant. It's about the person doing the job and if you think they are the absolute best and will give your horse the start it deserves.

My boy was backed as a late five year old. Partly due to the fact he just kept growing and also as I was yet to find the right person for the job. My horse is tricky no 2 ways about it and I have no doubt that if he had gone to the wrong person he would have been trashed. I found the guy via word of mouth via my equine dentist. Went and met them, liked what I heard and saw and off he went. Certainly wasn't a quick process due to how he was but they did the most super job. He's a talented quirky thing and always will be I'm sure. An interesting point was that actually they charged less than every other person I contacted - bonus!! Although we joke that if they'd had any clue of how he would have been they might have charged more lol!!

Honestly now though I spend A LOT on lessons and training, I think it is so vital to make sure we stay on the correct path and hopefully avoid any issues becoming too deep rooted.

I wouldn't panic about time scale, yes the clock ticks but really it's no matter if your intention is to keep hold of them.
So in answer to your actual question I would say you need to spend good money in both aspects! - helpful aren't I! lol!!

 

[minesadouble]

Price is not the be all and end all.
We sent one to be broken by a local girl, lovely rider who events on a shoestring on budget buy horses.
She has zero facilities and our little mare was schooled in a grazing field surrounded by loose horses. It did our youngster the world of good.
I would rather pay for the skill of the person doing the job than a swanky yard.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

In honesty I don't really think it's an either/or choice. I have an almost 2.5yo and have budgeted an ample amount for both backing and getting him ridden away/training when the time comes. We may or may not need the whole budget, but the way I see it is I don't want budget to too heavily dictate the decisions I make when it comes to getting the foundations right, after all you only get one shot at getting the early stuff right.

 

[gingergreg]

Oh I didn’t mean to insinuate that a higher price always equals a better service. He could be backed and ridden away in a field if it was the right jockey!


I’m so proud of myself - he’s now booked in with the most perfect person and we’ll stay there on livery.

Feel excited now after being so stressed!!

 

[honetpot]

I have had about five backed by different people, and out of experience I would be very clear about what you want, and a smart yard may not be top of your list.
If you like hacking you want someone who will do that. There are so many places that think getting them to walk, trot and canter in a school, and looking on the bit is more important than them experiencing traffic, and hacking, because working in the school takes less time. My last one went out in traffic, on hacks in the open and in the forest and was ridden most days if only for a short time at first, it was a bigger yard, but they had a very low key approach. Getting a young horse, going forward and enjoying the experience is the base level to build on.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh I didn’t mean to insinuate that a higher price always equals a better service. He could be backed and ridden away in a field if it was the right jockey!


I’m so proud of myself - he’s now booked in with the most perfect person and we’ll stay there on livery.

Feel excited now after being so stressed!!

Sounds perfect and very exciting! Best of luck

 

[{97702}]

I’d only ever go to one person for backing now, she has produced the results over and over and over again!

So for me it isn’t the price (I would think she is mid-range, although I’ve never asked, she isn’t a ‘famous name’ but she is always busy as she has a fabulous reputation) it is the results that count - but I’d rather spend money at that stage and get the basics well established ?