bitting/backing question.

[cobface]

I have a little welshie (a) who will be 3 in May. She is a project pony, something i want to break in myself so will be my first time breaking in. She is one of 3 - the other i ride and the other is rising 2. I have done alot of handling with them both and have led them out a few times last summer.
Shes a diddy little thing 11.-11.2hh and used to be really nervous of everyone and everything! been spending alot of time with her it a her in the field lately and today i introduced her to the bridle and put the snaffle in her mouth (i allowed for lots of time as shes completley new to it all). She mouthed it a lot as if to say, hmmm whats this strange thing in my mouth?? i left it in for a few mins then took it out and put it in again about 4 times, she excepted it right away.
What a superstar pony! she was so quiet and calm aswell and stood for me whilst i made a few adjustments.

Planning to try her again tomorrow for a few mins longer.

I have a few questions i hope you can help me with

1) When can she be led out in her bridle? (she has seen traffic before and doesnt seemed fazed) my friends have lead rein ponies that they take out everyday and i was thinking of leading her out with the others a few times) i have taken her for short walks in just a headcoller last summer but wanted to take her farther with the other ponies in her bridle/

2) When can i introduce her to a roller/saddle?

3) When can i introduce her to lounging and long-reining? although i am competent at lunging my riding mare i will be having an experienced person to help me with this stage with her being new to it all.

Thank you

 

[CrysG]

Firstly congratulations with the mouthing thus far, its great to hear of someone who puts in so much work before the actual mouthing and backing process.

When she is comfortable wearing her bridle with the bit in her mouth start by leading her out wearing her bridle but leading her with a headcoller. When you are confident she will leave without ripping the leadrope then lead with the bit - last thing you want is for her to rip her mouth!

I always introduce the roller first, and without a bridle... just a headcoller. First get her used to having it on her back, then just hold the girth around her belly. When she is comfortable with this, then put it on the loosest hole and walk her around. Continue over a couple of days until it is on the hole you would usually put it on. Introduce the saddle when she is happy wearing the roller. The tightness of the girth should not cause her to worry, but the different weight on her back might - so again just take your time. Never increase her stress by tightening or rushing the process. Only move up a 'level' when she is happy with the previous exercise.
As for WHEN to introduce the roller... that's up to her. When you think she is ready, there is no time set. I always introduce the roller at the age of 2 1/2 although my horses are never ridden until 3 or 3 1/2.

I personally do not like lunging before the age of 3 1/2 or 4 because it puts so much pressure on their legs when their knees have no yet closed. Long reining is preferable in my books. However if you wish to lunge try not to do it for too long a period of time. The last thing you want is a fit youngster on your hands when its time to actually back her! 10 minutes should wear her out!! If you decide to lunge then never lunge a circle smaller then 15m, 20m is preferable, and no longer then 5 mins on each rein.
Long reining is great because you do it at walk, so they do not get as fit, and it teaches them to respect the hand and to understand the rein aids.

I hope this helps, if I can clarify anything let me know. This is all my personal way of doing it, as I have mouthed and backed a few horses for myself in the past - but it doesn't mean it works for everyone!!

Good luck, and I hope you have a blast full of positive experiences! Let us know how you go