Benefits of backing/breaking in at home vs sending away

[MarvelVillis]

Interested to know people's thoughts on the benefits of backing/breaking in at home vs sending away. My trainer has offered to back my youngster at my yard, rather than sending him to her yard, and I don't know what would be best. I can see benefits of both. At home, he would be more relaxed and we can take it at his pace, whereas I think sending him away would do him good to see new surroundings. Curious to hear people's thoughts and experiences.

 

[GinaGeo]

Well I do mine myself, so do them from home, I am fortunate to have suitable facilities on my doorstep. But they do have to box up to go hacking and for lessons. So do get to see the world too.

It will probably be cheaper to do it from home, but will your trainer be there enough? Once I've started mine I like to keep them going quite consistently, whilst they get the idea.

If it's a case of trainer coming a few times a week, I wouldn't be keen.

 

[Littlebear]

If the only benefit of sending away is to see new surroundings i would be more inclined to do it at home and then look at taking them out or going away for short stints afterward.
If the trainer can get there enough times a week and you are doing alot of the ground work yourself anyway it could work fine x

 

[windand rain]

I have done both
pros for home
Cheaper
can keep an eye on things
can see progress
relaxed at home

cons for home
familiarity breeds contempt so pony may not progress as quickly
No new environment
might not get the same daily input of work

Pro for sending away
unfamiliar surroundings can be beneficial
you dont see things that might not be your way but are still good for the pony
more consistant daily work as usually pro trainers have more time at home than travelling to lots of yards
Trainer should have equipment and schooling areas at hand

cons for sending away
routines may vary
standard of care may not what you expect
you cannot control pace of progress

 

[tallyho!]

Personally if you have an easy sort that's got a good brain, do it at home if you can and have time.

That's the key for me anyway, time. Also, depends what you want and how quickly you want it.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I back then do lots of hacking rather than time spent in the arena so sending away won’t have any benefit, depends what you want and how you want it done. If you want to be comp ready fast then trainer breaking and schooling will be more beneficial so probably better at hers, if you are taking the long view then have it done at home then crack on at your own pace.

 

[irishdraft]

I have backed my youngsters at home with me doing all the groundwork and then had some help backing and riding away . I don't think they have missed out from going away as once they were ready I took them out and about anyway. For me I preferred it as one youngster was particularly nervous about someone on his back so I could spend as long as it took to get him accustomed which if he had been at a trainers might not have been so easy .

 

[RachelFerd]

Send away unless you are certain you have good experienced help on the ground available to you on a regular basis. That's why my new lad was sent away. I've backed a lot of racehorses, enough to know I wouldn't want to do it without someone I completely trusted was competent with me on the ground.

 

[milliepops]

For me, like some others, it would depend on how frequently your trainer can come. particularly at the start, i'd want help of some kind most days if doing it from home.

 

[emilylou]

Consistency is key. Doesn't really matter if you send away or do at home but if the horse stays at home and you are doing things differently to your trainer then that may confuse the horse. However, if your trainer is there regularly and you are both on the same page then there is no reason you cant do it at home.
The main reason people send away is because they don't have the facilities or experience to do it at home themselves.

 

[ycbm]

I have sent one sharp one away for two reasons. One is that I was at the time doubting myself and that's not a good place to start. Two, being away from home temporarily disorientates the sharp ones and that can make the job a lot easier/ safer.
.

 

[ihatework]

I don't think there is a right or a wrong, it depends very much on the person, the horse, the facilities, the help available and long term goals.

For all my years in horses I actually haven't done much backing work. Bits here and there, mostly overseen rather than sole charge. I have done more riding away where others have backed them. And even more observation ....

What I have concluded is those early backing experiences are critical for the horse long term. I have seen good and bad examples of professional breakers. Those that choose to do their own but who wouldn't be experienced breakers generally get there in the end to a reasonable job but there are often holes in the process that just get overlooked, also, doing your own you just get a bit blind to your horses faults and don't always correct them at the optimum time.

So having seen a number of horses produced over the years, I would personally always send to a good trusted one. Someone who does this day in and day out and has a tried and tested process. Not the cheap option short term, but I reckon it all evens out over time.

 

[lannerch]

I’m lucky my livery yard is run by someone extremely experienced in backing and he’s gentle and kind as well so my so he backed my 3yo at home and will also help bring her on slowly .

I have also backed 2 of my previous horses myself , and they did what I wanted them to do. I am a little long in the tooth and short of time to do the whole lot by myself so without my current livery situation I would not have bought an unbroken at the time 2yo and instead a young but further on 5 or 6yo.

If you and your trainer have the time ( little and often to start with ) and sufficient experience I would choose the home option . You can gain away from home experience by hiring other venues and meeting friends for rides etc.
Good luck in what you decide to do and kerp

 

[Breagha]

I backed my mare myself (first time) but I took her different places to long rein/hack. I have just sent my wee section A away due to not having a small enough rider to help back him.