Backing

I'm sending my boy away, I am not good enough to teach him how to be ridden or how to work properly, and considering he is my horse for life, I want him started right. I am doing everything I can upto that point though, so he's completely ready for the riding bit in April :)
 
I planned to send mine away however today with the help of a friend ended up sitting on him and walking round for the first time, he was a so well behaved and just took it all in his stride. I haven't stopped smiling all evening.

I think doing it yourself so long as you have experienced help if/ when needed really helps build up the bond between you as they trust you already so it's the next progression forwards.
 
Archie07 said:
I planned to send mine away however today with the help of a friend ended up sitting on him and walking round for the first time, he was a so well behaved and just took it all in his stride. I haven't stopped smiling all evening.

I think doing it yourself so long as you have experienced help if/ when needed really helps build up the bond between you as they trust you already so it's the next progression forwards.
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oh well done for getting on how proud do you feel, :)
 
I work at yard where we back a lot of horses. Therefore I back my own, and other people's.
My first pony was backed when I was 12 so he went to yard nearby and I helped back him, but was too young and inexperienced to do it myself.

My advice is if you are confident and experienced do it yourself, however, if you are not either then you could do a lot a damage. Badly backed horses are difficult to re-train.
I did travel to some people to back, meaning they kept their horse at home. I lunged long-reined etc, and then they could to do a bit themselves. This way you have help of someone experienced and confident etc, but are very involved yourself, which helps you gain experience for next time! :)
 
We back our youngsters ourselves but there are three of us who are all experienced in backing youngsters.

First youngster I backed I did it with the help of some-one experienced.
 
Did it myself in the summer with our 3YO

There's not a lot of mystery in it, but you need to set it up to be successful.

If you can take them out with another horse online a few times - so they get used to the idea that horses are ridden and you will be above them. Lots of time standing on the mounting block leaning over and letting them take weight.

We did lots of this and by the time we came to backing night he was actually wanting to get a saddle on. We saddled the others, then saddled him. No problems, he'd seen it so many times and just neded to feel it. Then we got on and off the others quite a few times with him on the other side of the block. Then we just got on him, foot in the stirrup, weight on, up and down a few times then on. A little bracey at first but soon relaxed into it. Within 2 weeks he was out in the woods hacking like an old pro.

Lots of reward and making him feel good about himself.

And we don't use bits and bridles - he's broken to a Parelli hackamore.

I just don't lilke the idea of what goes on behind closed doors - I've seen some horses really "broken" by so called trainers.

But you will have to have someone reliable on the end of that lead rope.
 
If you're experienced and confident (and have the time), or have someone who can help you that is i dont see why you couldn't do it yourself. If you're not confident, or lack experience and dont have anyone who can help then send them away to someone reputable.

I did my girl myself last year but have done it before, and still had my instructor there for help with schooling after the initial 'backing' process had been done. I'd rather do them myself if possible as i know exactly whats happened then, i know there are plenty of trustworthy trainers out there but it boils down to the fact i dont trust anyone but me with my horses :p
 
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