breaking my horse

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laylaloop

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Hi can you all give me a rough sort of step by step timeline for breaking my horse he's had tack on and been lunged he takes to new things well... I'm planning on using the next lot of decent weather to start him. What would your daily training be right up to my first time sitting on him.
I will have help and have all the equipment.
Tia
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i start with making sure walk, trot and stand voice commands are perfect then walking/hacking out inhand alone and with others then hop on and follow others hacking (usually start in a headcollar rather than bridle) and use normal aides along with voice commands while following others in walk trot stand and they cotton on pretty fast, i do this for months ,and take it slowly, lots of patience, never lose your temper or get frustrated and dont be tempted to canter before horse is balanced, ready and well established in walk trot and stand transitions. After 6mnths hacking and fun then i start sxhooling in paddock.
 
laylaloop said:
Hi can you all give me a rough sort of step by step timeline for breaking my horse he's had tack on and been lunged he takes to new things well... I'm planning on using the next lot of decent weather to start him. What would your daily training be right up to my first time sitting on him.
I will have help and have all the equipment.
Tia
X
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Depends on the horse and on the handler-TBH if you have not done it before get someone experienced in to help
 
If you are not sure what you are doing I would suggest getting a professional to come and help you, or alternatively send the horse away. Starting youngsters can go very wrong very quickly and you owe it to your young horse to give him the best start
 
I am confident in what I'm doing have someone at hand etc just wondering what everyone's routine was ...tbh everyone started somewhere and I'm not a novice X I wouldn't do anything I'm not 100% sure of doing it right. I've studied and studied the basics and started my previous own horse up to ready for backing successfully. So I'm hoping I can do my boy proud
 
I'm sorry to say and I honestly mean no offence, but if you are having to ask on an Internet forum about what other people's routines are for starting youngsters, then you are probably not the most ideal person to start the horse.

Every horse is different. What I might do with one horse, might be completely different to what I do with a another. Let alone the difference between types of horses, their upbringing, past experiences, your experience, facilities etc.

I would get someone to come and help you and learn from them, by watching, in real life, on your horse. That way you will have a better idea if you ever want to do another.
 
Vickijay said:
I'm sorry to say and I honestly mean no offence, but if you are having to ask on an Internet forum about what other people's routines are for starting youngsters, then you are probably not the most ideal person to start the horse.

Every horse is different. What I might do with one horse, might be completely different to what I do with a another. Let alone the difference between types of horses, their upbringing, past experiences, your experience, facilities etc.


I would get someone to come and help you and learn from them, by watching, in real life, on your horse. That way you will have a better idea if you ever want to do another.
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whilst i wholeheartedly agree its much wiser to watch, learn and be guided from someone more experienced, i do think its a pissitive thing that OP is asking for broader view and experiences from other sources rather than just 'giving it a go'. I have always started every horse the same with excellent results (granted i only produce happy hackers/PC/RC types not eventers and i carefully select horses/ponies with the right attitude to begin with) the only one ive ever had issues with is my sec A because im too big for him and so had someone else start him, disaster! Ive know of quite a few so called top producers/breakers that have done far more harm to horses with their harsh tactics and believe it is in the best interest of any horse to be started sympathetically by someone they trust and want to please.
 
I've only broken horses to drive so far and that takes approximately 12 weeks from mouthing them to getting them trotting in a cart. Every horse is different in how quickly they will pick things up but you have to be mindful not to rush ahead of your schedule just because the horse seems to be picking things up quicker than expected. Repetition at the early stage causes no harm.

I will be backing one for the first time in the next couple of weeks and getting him going under saddle - he has already been broken to harness although has never pulled a cart so I would anticipate this would take much less time than starting from scratch. I'll be starting by tacking him up with the different tack (obviously no hopples or crupper), leaning over him in the cross ties for a couple of days, then sitting on him, then being led around the yard, led around the track, going it alone around the track (a place he knows well) then venturing out hacking in company. After that it's hacking alone mixed with working on his trot on the track and we'll take it from there. It could take 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks...but he's a quiet horse and willing to learn.

Good luck. Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice from those around you and be patient!
 
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Long reining not lunging, take him out and about. Do not ever lunge fast in tight circles as it strains the joints.
Neu Schule starter bit to make the mouth.
Build up back muscles before backing.
Make sure there are no "incidents"
 
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I'd be getting him out long-reining next until you are happy with his mouth and that he will go forward wherever you want him to go calmly and without complaint. How long it will take will depend on the horse and you.
 
Vickijay said:
I'm sorry to say and I honestly mean no offence, but if you are having to ask on an Internet forum about what other people's routines are for starting youngsters, then you are probably not the most ideal person to start the horse.

Every horse is different. What I might do with one horse, might be completely different to what I do with a another. Let alone the difference between types of horses, their upbringing, past experiences, your experience, facilities etc.

I would get someone to come and help you and learn from them, by watching, in real life, on your horse. That way you will have a better idea if you ever want to do another.
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This.
And its actually something Vickie and I have compared as we have two TOTALLY different types of 3yo atm.

you need a confident,calm,experienced second set of hands in any case, to get you legged up and leaning over him, leading him round with you leaning etc.

you need to be able to read the tension before it gets to boiling point-ive backed a LOT of ponies and horses since age 14yo................current one has taken 6 months to get to the point of happily being groomed and being able to just walk up and plonk a saddle on, girth up and away you go.
Lunging he has been great with but long lining again has been a 2 person job as he is wary of the lines and without those extra hands i would have been in a pickle despite WEEKS of de-sensitising work.

hes a bit off an odd one out as hadn't been handled at all when we got him, not been fussed over or messed with so every single thing we did was new and he was wary of it ALL. You couldnt even put a hand towel on his back for weeks without him exploding!

there is no way i could have got him to this stage on my own so i would say to get a second person, who is more experienced and then they can at least direct you. If its all going well they can talk you through what to do and if it goes a bit tense they can take over and walk you through it.
 
I think some people are being a bit harsh on the OP. We all have to start somewhere and she states she has help and is not a novice. Even though I have broken in several horses without help, I still enjoy reading other peoples' methods as am very flexible in my approach and if I like the sound of something then I might just try it.

OP, personally, I prefer to do most of the starting, including backing without a bit. Even the long reining (I use a micklem). I like to lean over them quite early on, before even the long reining is established. Just bring them into the school and lean over them from the mounting block. If I have someone there, I will have them hold the horse, if not I just lean over and pat their belly just to get them used to it. But for the proper backing, I always make sure I have a capable person on the ground.
 
Go to your local public library, speak to the librarian and tell her what you want. She will show you a long list of books that could interest you. Pick a few titles that you think might answer your questions and she will get them for you. If they don't have them, they will get them for the cost of postage otherwise it is all FREE! If you don't use it, you'll loose it.
 
I'm really interested to hear about people's routines and experiences of the first time they backed a youngster to. So please do keep them coming!
I'm looking for my first youngster this summer. I'm not a novice but all mine have been fixer-uppers, so lots of this is going to be new! :)
I'm doing my research and polishing up my skills (long-reining, etc), and I've got professional help on hand to advise and do some of the keys things - but what I'm debating (and maybe it'll be decided by the actual horse?) is what things I'm confident to do well myself and what to handover (and learn from).

I'm trying not to over think it.. but I'll probably have training plan in a spreadsheet before long ;)
 
Wagtail said:
I think some people are being a bit harsh on the OP. We all have to start somewhere and she states she has help and is not a novice. Even though I have broken in several horses without help, I still enjoy reading other peoples' methods as am very flexible in my approach and if I like the sound of something then I might just try it.
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Agree, everyone needs to start somewhere, and op is wanting to listen to advice, so sounds good!

I think backing is a very organic process, where one established thing naturally leads onto the next and before you know it, your on and then onto the next stage...

Every horse being very different and depends on what they have experienced already. I've almost completely avoided lunging one as it was such a balloon on the lunge, went straight to long reining and then got on and never looked back. We revisited lunging when he was older, calmer and stronger and now I can lunge without a line ... I know that free schooling, but you catch my drift.

Have no set timescales, unless you have a commercial project, this should be an enjoyable experience for you and your steed!
 
Wagtail said:
I think some people are being a bit harsh on the OP. We all have to start somewhere and she states she has help and is not a novice. Even though I have broken in several horses without help, I still enjoy reading other peoples' methods as am very flexible in my approach and if I like the sound of something then I might just try it.
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Agree with this.

I like to lean over them quite early on, before even the long reining is established. Just bring them into the school and lean over them from the mounting block. If I have someone there, I will have them hold the horse, if not I just lean over and pat their belly just to get them used to it.
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And also think this is the best way to do it. Little and often is always key.
 
twiggy2 said:
Depends on the horse and on the handler-TBH if you have not done it before get someone experienced in to help
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Vickijay said:
If you are not sure what you are doing I would suggest getting a professional to come and help you, or alternatively send the horse away. Starting youngsters can go very wrong very quickly and you owe it to your young horse to give him the best start
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^^ agree, every horse is different and I don't know your horse but every horse iv backed has been totally different, some easy some not, if u have to take a step back in their training don't worry.
It seems these days near me to be a race as to who can back first! A week from start to hacking is what's going on near me which is awful. I normally long rein for a good few weeks making sure all controls are in place and making sure they are happy on their own and in company before I back, at which point I'm back in the sand until they are happy with me on board.
 
My usual sequence would be bitted, and ensure they are confident being handled. I then introduce the roller, long lines and front boots in the stable, if they are very good at this stage I would introduce some pressure on their back.

Then with a helper - using a cavesson, no bridle - roller and long lines - helper walks at head, me behind.

Then with helper at shoulder, then progressing to walking with me.

Then long lining solo still off the noseband of the cavesson - I do this for a few weeks - they will still be wearing their bridle in the stable for a short period every day. Then introduce bridle under cavesson, then long line off the bit.

Throughout the weeks of long lining I would progress to sitting on the horse in the stable.

Then it would be sitting on the horse being led, or with another horse and then going solo.

Obviously this is a brief outline, taking into account how the horse is coping - I would be introducing hazards and traffic and tiny ditches etc throughout.

For me the most important thing is that they are confident being long lined by themselves before I will consider getting on and riding them away. Also I don't lunge, never needed to, but everyone does it differently and there isn't a right or wrong way - good luck, enjoy and take your time :)
 
Following this! I have a 3 year old that I am doing little bits with here and there. I have never backed a youngster myself before but taking advice whenever my knowledge lacks. Thus far - I have treated her like a horse. She has been shown in hand since she was a yearling so is is used to alot of things, been for walks down the road, along the quarry road we have which is next to a train track and all of this is helping with her education. Planning starting to long rein her out on hacks over the next few weeks with my OH horse to get her used to going foward and then on her own and then think about sitting on her (have leaned over her etc already) but all of this depends on her and her growth spurts tbh!

I have no set programme on what I am doing but trying little and often. :D
 
You can't really put a time-frame on things as you only move onto the next stage once their perfectly happy in the previous. I would do a bit of long-reining now you've done lungeing with tack on. I never spend that long with long-reining. As soon as they understand the voice commands and are turning / stopping then I'll start leaning over them. I would normally do it in a very small paddock (that's what I used to have) with someone holding the horse. But my current mare I had no help at all, so I started leaning over her in the stable, then moved to outside in a high electric taped yard outside my stable block where I just spent time getting on and off, and just sitting up (this mare was funny about stuff on her back!) before I began walking about. It's definately easier and quicker if you have someone on the ground to help lead them about at first. The other thing I always do is generally get them used to spooky stuff in-hand to try an de-sensitize them a bit - I was leading my mare under the washing line (laden with clothes) and out into the woods, over tarploin etc.
 
My Toby will be strictly a family hack only jumping logs etc lol x for fun rides to the beach woods etc
Thank you :) like I said everyone started somewhere I have a very knowledgeable friend who's son is a trainer and I always ask before doing anything xx
 
Thanks all with positive comments 😊 he's taken to everything amazingly atm he's had all tack on and been lunged walk trot canter and whoa and picked up quickly so far I've only lunged in a caveson and with his saddle on. I'm in between doing lots of groundwork and traffic training in hand as I know from previous owner he hasn't really seen a lot. He's very handle able and very loving ...I've been working on a bond between me and him and do things in a positive way :) ..I've trying to confidence build with him as he always looks to me to see if things are ok x
 
rowan666 said:
whilst i wholeheartedly agree its much wiser to watch, learn and be guided from someone more experienced, i do think its a pissitive thing that OP is asking for broader view and experiences from other sources rather than just 'giving it a go'. I have always started every horse the same with excellent results (granted i only produce happy hackers/PC/RC types not eventers and i carefully select horses/ponies with the right attitude to begin with) the only one ive ever had issues with is my sec A because im too big for him and so had someone else start

Gloi said:
I'd be getting him out long-reining next until you are happy with his mouth and that he will go forward wherever you want him to go calmly and without complaint. How long it will take will depend on the horse

Wagtail said:
I think some people are being a bit harsh on the OP. We all have to start somewhere and she states she has help and is not a novice. Even though I have broken in several horses without help, I still enjoy reading other peoples' methods as am very flexible in my approach and if I like the sound of something then I might just try it.

OP, personally, I prefer to do most of the starting, including backing without a bit. Even the long reining (I use a micklem). I like to lean over them quite early on, before even the long reining is established. Just bring them into the school and lean over them from the mounting block. If I have someone there, I will have them hold the horse, if not I just lean over and pat their belly just to get them used to it. But for the proper backing, I always make sure I have a capable person on the ground.
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Dry Rot said:
Go to your local public library, speak to the librarian and tell her what you want. She will show you a long list of books that could interest you. Pick a few titles that you think might answer your questions and she will get them for you. If they don't have them, they will get them for the cost of postage otherwise it is all FREE! If you don't use it, you'll loose it.
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I have a stack of books already read and reading etc ��
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Interesting thread, Like everyone else has said no 2 youngsters are the same, but i'm certain you have enough experiance to know what is 'enough' work to do. I used to work on a breaking and schooling yard and we had all sorts of different horses. Some was 3-4 and dobbins, others came in at 4 for work and just couldn't handle it so got turned out until they was 4.5-5. Patience is key! Don't let it get to the point where your horse isn't comfortable with whats being asked, take your time and make it all fun :)
 
I've been breaking and training youngsters for almost 40 years. By far the worst to deal with are those which have been messed up by inexperienced people who believed they could do it themselves. I learned to break from a very experienced old nagsman who kindly allowed me to tag along as he worked, I "helped" with over 20 horses before I attempted to do one myself. I really believe this is a professionals job, for the sake of the horse.
 
I agree that no 2 youngsters are the same, and whilst I didn't back mine myself, (I was still too fat after the baby!!) it was done at the yard. I did all the preparation myself having never done it before and I am pretty sure I did ok! I did make some mistakes mind, but nothing serious, just things I would have done differently. I also had to be aware of my boys knee problem. He developed epithelialis as a yearling so had to be extremely careful of what I did and how I did it.

Anyway, here is roughly what I did after having put a saddle & bridle on him:

Ride & lead. We are lucky in that we have nice quiet roads that I could r&l out on. Also (surprisingly) my other horse was excellent at it! I did that for a fair few months, out in a group, out on our own, on grass, off grass, on roads, on bridlepaths.

Once established with that, I long reined. I got lessons from a professional so that I could do it properly. I didn't ever lunge, though we did do large circles at a walk. Once I had done this in a schooled for a few weeks, we went out. I always had someone with me. We did this a lot.

Then he was sat on. By luck, one of the girls at the yard used to back professionally, so she did it. He was brilliant, she was brilliant. By this time I had lost the weight, and after 4 months (April), I was on! (see sig)

We hacked out in company for months and in the Sept we went out on our own for the first time. He was foot perfect!

He was turned away the end of Oct and restarted end of March. We still hack out on our own with no issues, though he is a little spookier than as a 3 yo, though I'm told this is normal!

He has never had a temper tantrum and though will back off if worried, he can be coaxed into doing what I asked as I feel we have an amazing bond, also, I think his breed (PRE) plays a part as well.

Good luck, as long as you aren't in a hurry and can take your time, back off when needed, I don't see why you shouldn't do it yourself!
 
It's a tough one as every horse is different, some horses I would happily jump on and hack down the road, others do need a very good handler and more time getting them use to the rider on there back or even leaning over. No one can really give a timeline especially without seeing the horse. I don't over hammer the ground work unless a horse really needs it, thats my personal preference, i'd rather be on the horse. But some need more than others. Long-reigning is a must for me but as long as the horse is settled I don't overdo it. I don't do a lot of desensitizing in hand to stuff either as i prefer to be on and hacking (in control obviously) and showing them the way of the world via a rider but I do have a good lead horse and rider at my disposal.
 
Some of you may feel I was being harsh, I tried my best not to be, but I'm sorry if you took it that way. I still stand by everything I said though.

I just think the subject of starting youngsters is too vairiable to write it down in a list form and I stand by the fact that it's better to get a professional in to help you if you are unsure of what you are doing. I start horses for people and would far rather start one completely from new, rather than having to fix issues that people have indirectly created through lack of knowledge or understanding.

It's not about having an ego, it's about doing what is best for the horse.

Cortez said:
By far the worst to deal with are those which have been messed up by inexperienced people who believed they could do it themselves. I really believe this is a professionals job, for the sake of the horse.
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And this ^^
 
It's not about ego �� it's about bringing my horse on myself so far as with my last one I have done well with him. As I said I'm not a novice can lunge well know what voice aids he will need and know it's a slow process and something that's going to be on going. I'm 46 he's going to be my riding horse for very many years. And my daughters etc. I've studied watched videos and I know I can do it. I've also got my little girls welsh A 2 years and doing all the groundwork basics with him. I probably worded my post wrong as in timeline it really was just a general question more so of what your training was. I've actually got some good advice and have people at hand the lady I livery with is 74 and used to be a trainer (bit more old school) . I would rather do it myself and if I am worried will ask. He's a very chilled out gelding who likes to learn.
So it really is not about ego and I'm not stupid xx
 
Sorry, I meant in general, not about you specifically. I really didn't mean to offend you. Best of luck, he sounds like he's going to be a good egg
 
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