Breaking a 6 year old

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Dot2dot

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I am looking to buy an unbroken 6 year old. Seems very easy to handle on the ground and has been leant over and lunged etc.

Would I have more problems due to age or do you think it doesn't matter as long as the temperament is right?

Would be good to hear some past stories/experiences.
 
It won't make any difference other than are you sure no one has had a go and stuffed it up?

I know of someone who sold a psychotic Arab as an unbroken 6yr old and had to wait til the nail holes grew out of all its feet before she advertised it, it had been broken and ridden since it was 4 and was essentially dangerous and needed shot. :eek::mad:
 
Usually not a problem if genuinely unstarted i.e. someone hasn't tried and failed or there is a medical problem. Would get a thorough vetting with attention to back and girth area and written confirmation that there are no problems.
 
I bought a skinny, bum-shy over-height 6yr old section C last year. Took next to no time to convince him that we were his best mate, and we were riding him out within the week. Almost 6 months before we were able to safely brush his tail, so he wasn't completely straightforward - but we didn't need to do anything special; just wait for him to settle.

I wouldn't say the age made any difference to the process.

Top tip for welshies: It seems that you can do just about anything (including backing for the first time after only 3 days) if someone stood in front has a carrot!
 
I'm currently breaking my 6 year old :)

He was happy to have someone on his back but didn't know what aids were, didn't move forwards. I've never broken a horse before and didn't realise how green this one was :o, we're taking everything very slowly, started with long reining, neither of us had done that before and I'm really pleased with our progress, slow as it maybe.
 
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I have recently backed our 6 rising 7 year old welsh d mare, and previously our new forest mare at 9 years of age!
The one thing I have noticed compared with backing a younger one, is they are not so forgiving if YOU make a mistake. Obviously better to not make one, but we pushed the nf mare thinking she was older and she was not ready, and let us know!
Once back to her pace,we had the most genuine, uncomplicated mare anyone could ever want.
The welsh has had a series of set backs health wise, but now is proving, so far and touch wood being a welsh! , as good as the nf.
 
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