Breaking in a pony

[My_breadbagel]

Hi everyone, having a bit of a meltdown rn!

I posted on here I believe a few weeks ago about my slightly naughty pony who was walking all over me. Since working with him, especially through lunging, he is no longer pushy and is finally docile and respectful. Big sigh of relief!

I’m now starting the backing process, just sitting on him bareback in a head collar for a minute or two, letting him have a stretch and a scratch from me, etc. He’s been fabulous so far and actually walked very happily to the grass verge with me for a snack, happily sniffing my boots and having a cuddle. But here’s the issue.

last year we started the process and he was going well, but he suddenly blew up one day and had another rider off. We immediately called out the physio as he was doing so well before hand I knew something was up. Turns out he simply wasn’t ready physically (at 5 years old!) and so we turned away, hoping he would come right. Had her out again a few months and he’s ready now, and has proven to be easier than last year so far (less issues with ground work, more willing, less reactive).

I am fully prepared to stop even if I have the slight suspicion something isn’t quite right, and I’m taking everything at a crawling pace as I’m new to this as well. I’m planning to have out an experienced breaker/ instructor to do the majority of the technical stuff I can be involved, learn from it etc. My own instructor (who lives too far away to help me) has never steered me wrong and thinks it’s a fabulous idea, but I’m freaking out.

my mum keeps telling me I’m not good enough, I’ll break my back and be a burden to her etc and I feel so hopeless. I’m a decent rider, can sit a buck and have experience dealing with strong, green ponies and I am a pretty quiet rider, but a nervous one. I was feeling confident until my mum started telling me how I’m going to get seriously hurt and ruin my life.

now I’m terrified I’m doing the wrong thing. I really really wanted this for the longest time, and was so hopeful but now I just don’t want to do it. I’ve done great so far (and I’m the most critical person of my own ability) but now I just want to bail. I was so happy, but now I just feel like I’m wasting time and money only to get hurt.

if anyone has any stories about breaking in theirs, good or bad, I want to hear so I can be certain about this. I feel like my little guy would love a job and to go out for a hack a few times a week but I’m terrified now.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

I want to say not to listen to your mum, however if you have any doubts then just send the pony away to a professional breaker and enjoy him when he comes home.

 

[Polos Mum]

If you plan to get a professional to break then why not get the pony booked in (waiting lists can be 6 months plus) then talk to you chosen person about what to do (and not do) before the pony is sent off.
Sounds like you've done loads already so maybe nothing more is needed until the professional steps in and then you can get going with your hacking once the pony has had a couple of months with a pro.

being nervous (whether your nerves or your mums) will not help the pony at all, there was a study recently that suggested horses can hear a raised heart rate from 2 meters away.
There is no rush, you've done the ground work so no harm in getting the pro in now as you had planned.

 

[My_breadbagel]

I want to say not to listen to your mum, however if you have any doubts then just send the pony away to a professional breaker and enjoy him when he comes home.

Thank you. Sadly I can’t send him away due to only having one other horse and they are each other’s only company. I feel like our best bet is to have someone come to us- that way I can see what’s going on

 

[My_breadbagel]

If you plan to get a professional to break then why not get the pony booked in (waiting lists can be 6 months plus) then talk to you chosen person about what to do (and not do) before the pony is sent off.
Sounds like you've done loads already so maybe nothing more is needed until the professional steps in and then you can get going with your hacking once the pony has had a couple of months with a pro.

being nervous (whether your nerves or your mums) will not help the pony at all, there was a study recently that suggested horses can hear a raised heart rate from 2 meters away.
There is no rush, you've done the ground work so no harm in getting the pro in now as you had planned.

I saw that study, and I’m working on my nerves the best I can. Once I’m on board I’m completely fine, it’s just the over thinking before and after. I sent my mum off to bring our other lad in while I worked with the pony, and the moment she left his posture changed. I have a few people coming to meet the pony as he will have to be broken at home, although I plan to let the breaker have full control. I’m planning to ride out on my older boy with the breaker on pony the first few times so I can see everything and then eventually switch roles. My old boy used to baby sit the newbies so I have total faith in him giving everyone confidence.

 

[Polos Mum]

I'd get the person you want to come in to break booked in asap then you can start to work together on a plan.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would just leave the getting on until you have someone to help you its not worth the risk struggling along feeling anxious on your own, especially as he may pick up on it and you don't want that at this stage.

 

[My_breadbagel]

I would just leave the getting on until you have someone to help you its not worth the risk struggling along feeling anxious on your own, especially as he may pick up on it and you don't want that at this stage.

Currently just continuing with sitting on him, and finding someone to help us. We definitely won’t go any further until I find someone