Breaking A Slightly Older Pony

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geegee1959

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:)I only joined the forum a couple of days ago,and i introduced my Mare Sophie and her 5 month old Foal to you.I have only owned them both for just over two weeks after buying them from a chap that does a little buying and selling.He was unsure whether Sophie had being broken or not,she is quite nervous but is coming round slowly.We have found out today she hasn't being broken,i doubt she has ever being sat on or worn tack due to the way she reacted today.Sophie is a six year old,so still only young and i think she deserves a chance,have any of you ever broken or had a slightly older Pony broken and was it a bit harder than starting a 3/4 year old?thank you.:)
 
Hello, firstly, you must post some pictures :-)
I bought an Arab, unbroken 8 year old, been a stallion all his life. Had him gelded and started ground work as he barely been handled. He was so green around humans that I treated him just like a youngster. I was very lucky though as he is such a sane, sensible and level headed horse that he was actually much easier to break then any youngster I've broken. Literally did the ground work, lunged, introduced a bit, (which took some time for him to accept) sat on him bareback in the stable. Then bareback being led in the school. Progressed to lunging in the saddle and eventually just bit the bullet and got on. I knew he was ready though, he took all the backing in his stride and then I just got on with hacking him out with a sensible older horse. Now 4 months down the line he is fab. Started more schooling work and he is responding really well to everything. Good luck and let us know your progress! If you ever get stuck, don't be afraid to ask for help from someone more experienced. They're not all easy and straight forward unfortunately.
 
My pony is 7 and an ex broodmare backed about 18 months ago. Age makes no difference really just need to do all the ground work and handling, more so if she is nervy. Richard Maxwell's book Train your young horse is a great help to me.
 
The oldest pony I have broken was a 12 year old former brood mare, she was very easy to do, picked up everything extremely quickly and had a real desire to learn.

I have also started a few 6/7 year olds again no more problem than 3/4 year olds, they are physically mature and often rather bored so actually can come on faster than you might expect, dont rush her but dont be surprised if she picks things up very quickly and wants to proceed at her own pace, always be prepared to go back if she does struggle with anything just as you would with any youngster, good luck with her.
 
Age means nothing. At least you know [providing she's all fine from foaling chiro etc], they're a bit more durable and finished growing! :)

My mare was 10, rising 11 when she was broken...
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Plus have had 10+ year old stallions in who have been used as studs in for breaking, who have been no problem :)

An older horse which has never been attempted...is far much easier than one who's been half attempted badly. No different to a freshly backed 4 year old. :)
 
I would rather have an unbroken older horse, than one that has been started but it went a bit wrong, so the horse was then left. ;)

I think that once you've weaned the foal, you need to treat her like any other unbacked horse. A friend or instructor/trainer who is experienced with the backing/breaking process will be essential. :)
 
Charla said:
Hello, firstly, you must post some pictures :-)
I bought an Arab, unbroken 8 year old, been a stallion all his life. Had him gelded and started ground work as he barely been handled. He was so green around humans that I treated him just like a youngster. I was very lucky though as he is such a sane, sensible and level headed horse that he was actually much easier to break then any youngster I've broken. Literally did the ground work, lunged, introduced a bit, (which took some time for him to accept) sat on him bareback in the stable. Then bareback being led in the school. Progressed to lunging in the saddle and eventually just bit the bullet and got on. I knew he was ready though, he took all the backing in his stride and then I just got on with hacking him out with a sensible older horse. Now 4 months down the line he is fab. Started more schooling work and he is responding really well to everything. Good luck and let us know your progress! If you ever get stuck, don't be afraid to ask for help from someone more experienced. They're not all easy and straight forward unfortunately.
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Hi Charla,thank you.here are some photo's of Sophie

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I've just backed a 9yo, he has also been a stallion most of his life but is gelded now. He has been an A star student and has not put a foot wrong. Think in some ways backing them later can be easier because they are a lot more level headed. Even though he is 9yo I have treated him like a youngster as it's still all new to him. Did loads of ground work too. He has been backed 2 weeks now and we went on our first hack today where he behaved impeccably :0)
 
We recently started a 5 year old and 2 weeks from starting work he was at his first show in the lead rein class. I have to admit that he has had lots of groundwork before we started him, ongoing since he was 2, so lots of trust in place which helped a lot. He hasn't put a foot wrong throughout the whole process. My advice would be to spend the time until weaning getting the bond between you and then don't rush her. I don't think it is a bad thing for them to be done older than 'the norm', they are more mature and more able to cope with it mentally. They are both beautiful, enjoy!
 
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