Bloody hell! - I am getting so controversial!!!

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moneypit1

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Just been in gallery and have seen a post about someone who has waited 3 years to sit on her horse. A few replies down is an entry from someone saying they have done the same with a 2 yo! Loads of replies saying how lovely the horse is (and it is very lovely, no argument there). I (with my limited knowledge of course) question that perhaps backing a 2 year old is a bit "impatient" to say the least. Go on, join the debate!
 
Llwyncwn settles down with nice cup of tea and a ginger nut to await the bun fight
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Just been in gallery and have seen a post about someone who has waited 3 years to sit on her horse. A few replies down is an entry from someone saying they have done the same with a 2 yo! Loads of replies saying how lovely the horse is (and it is very lovely, no argument there). I (with my limited knowledge of course) question that perhaps backing a 2 year old is a bit "impatient" to say the least. Go on, join the debate!

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I thought exactly the same thing when I saw the post, but I was to much of a wimp to say anything!!
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He does look older then 2 tho!
 
Agree! Why bring this in here? The person who owns the 2yo IS an experienced horse person and knows the horse SHE bred! She has posted about this in the breeding section.
 
it is controversial yes - but i think you have just made yourself come across as rude which i never thought you were before.
Opening another post about it was just pure bitchiness on your part and exactly what have you achieved?
the horse has still been backed - its not like you can undo what has already been done.

At the end of the day whether you agree or not whats done is done - its not your horse.
And yes it is an open forum so everybody has an opinion - this is mine!
 
Not really???!!! Couldn't see much worth debating in PG, those newly backed horses looked great. Controvertial would be taking on, working and jumping a not-completely-sound LOU showjumper to sell on as useful. Or maybe that's just my twisted opinion.
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i don,t agree with backing 2 yr olds i never will , its just a commercial exersise for those who won,t wait for thier baby to grow up , as for backing yearling tbs and racing them at 2 , its abuse in my eyes , i have a well grown 3/4 tb 2 yr old , he will not start untill 3 and he,ll still be with me i hope in his 20s , i also have a 18 yr old tb who raced at 2 whoes riddled with arthritis and retired , vet said he,d hardly ever seen a horse with more worn out joints than old harry , i cant ride him anymore and hardly get a look in with hubbys horse but nothing would induce me to start the 2yr old , controversial post , no i don,t think so , just a talking point surely?
 
Some two year olds are mature enough mentally and physically for LIGHT backing. I start leaning over mine at 2 years old, with my weight being supported partly by the horse and partly by an assistant on the ground. If they seem to cope with the weight, then I add a bit more weight next time and so on until eventually I sit completely on them, although this may not be until they are completely ready at 3 or even 4, and they know what it's all about and there is no fuss. It's up to each person what they do, I'd rather see a 2 year old being lightly backed by somebody than a 2 year old being lunged all the time...I start lunging at 2 but only a couple of times a week and in walk, just to give them the idea. All this preparation makes life alot easier when you start the backing process properly.
 
It's all horses for courses all over again, though, isn't it?

TBs are fast maturing so backing a 1yr old TB isn't the same as backing a slow-maturing yearling. (The backing process is also different - lungeing which causes lots of damage to immature joints isn't nearly so much of a focus.)

Heavier breeds can take much longer to mature physically...including many european warmbloods.

However, starting a horse young could be the right option - if not too much is done - for creating a relaxed, willing animal who understands what's expected. Certainly, i think it's more fair than chucking a horse in a field for 4years with little handling and then rushing everything and expecting them to work as an adult just because they've grown into a physical adult...

just my thoughts.
 
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However, starting a horse young could be the right option - if not too much is done - for creating a relaxed, willing animal who understands what's expected. Certainly, i think it's more fair than chucking a horse in a field for 4years with little handling and then rushing everything and expecting them to work as an adult just because they've grown into a physical adult...



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Agree entirely. The more handling you can do the better. My friend took on an older unbroken, badly handled horse and is having to work really hard just to establish the basics. She's getting there though and is going to have a lovely horse on her hands in the end. It just makes life so much easier if you do everything from an early age. In my opinion there is no excuse for 6 or 7 year olds that don't even know how to be led properly.
 
Yes I also fully agree with what you have said; "with my limited knowledge".

Both lovely horses. Both owners have MORE than limited knowledge.

Anyhow, what I do find interesting is that you question people whom you thought of as having lots of horse knowledge ... have you noticed that ALL of those people, who show they have good horse knowledge, have not had a bad word to say about these 2 ladies backing their youngsters? Just you ... with your limited knowledge. Makes you wonder huh?
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Couldn't edit my post but I'd like to point out I'm far from knowledgeable - there's always more to learn, anyway - but common sense and listening to your horse is more important in my eyes than "knowledge" anyway.
 
I have just lost my horse due to having knackered legs becasue he was jumped in young horse classes at 4 before he was mature enough.

HOWEVER if I had a 2 year old, I would still back it if I thought that was the right time to do it. I just wouldnt hammer it - loads of our ponies were backed at 2, in the field when we were kids. Literally, just a leg on, bareback, with someone holding the headcollar.

I have also backed a 2yo German Warmblood who was backed late in his second year, and then spent 12 months hacking and being ridden round a large field. He didnt see a jump till his fourth year and he is now safe sound and with a top pro in Germany.

Horses for courses really. Its not when you do it, its how you do it...and how slow you take. You can knacker a six year old if you f*ck up its start in life.
 
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