Breaking the older horse

[Cop-Pop]

Any tips?

Is it just the same as breaking a youngster in? I rather rashly offered to help YO break in her 10 year old 'baby'

Even as the words came out of my mouth I was questioning my sanity

He was backed as a four year old, ridden for about a month then has been left since. I've broken in several horses but none over the age of 5 (apart from my ponio but she doesnt count

) I say 'break in' rather than reback as he hasn't seen a saddle, been lunged or worked in anyway since she stopped riding him so I'm pretty sure he's forgotten it all...

 

[spacefaer]

I started a 5 yr old Arab stallion from scratch and he was fine but just remember that they have fully grown up muscles and aren't as easily tired or as weak as 3 - 4 yr olds. Take your time and make sure that each step is absolutely established - don't be tempted to think cos they're grown up, that you can cut any corners at all. Leave any holes in the training and they'll come back to drop you in them! Adult horses have learnt self preservation

they're no different from babies - but some do resent being asked to work - like us going to the gym - and take some convincing that it really is necessary.

have fun and best of luck!

 

[bloominmadpaddie]

I had one that was 12 when he was broken he was very good just a lot stronger than a younger

 

[hadfos]

They actually never forget

there will be a memory of it when you restart it all!!
Basically,when they get older they know what their life is and change isnt always accepted as a good thing,they know how to argue and they will

,treat as a youngster,but unlike a youngster they will be a lot stronger,physically and mentally,as long as you respect that and understand that if an argument comes up you may have to be alot stronger or find an alternative to get them to give in you be fine

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

My rescued mare Angel was 12 when she was backed. No special treatment was necessary other than to remember that a youngster will be a "blank page" but an adult horse will have already formed habits and mindsets so may need to unlearn before he can re-learn if you see what I mean. Angel was absolutely fine about it except for the mouthing stage when she was determined NEVER to have a bit in her mouth and she put her tongue over it and over it and over it until the trainer's hair went grey! Got there in the end and she's now a lovely safe ride, albeit not as spritely as a 3 yr old lol x

 

[millitiger]

same as doing a baby, perhaps just be prepared for slightly more opinion from the horse than from a naive 3yro!

 

[Daisy11]

i agree with hadfos i have a 7yr mare who was backed at 3 and turn away to have foal about 3 yrs after we have brought her back into work with out not a slight fight there was me think she was going to do something and she turn out to be a complete angel

just take it easy lunge, longrein etc learn over to see what responce you get etc your be actual surprized how much they still know with regards to riding

 

[JanetGeorge]

We've backed 2 x10 year olds and one 9 year old in the past 3 years - none of which had ever been backed (they'd been broodies or field ornaments all their lives.) One - which had virtually NO handling while a field ornament was a bitdifficult to start - but only because EVERYTHING was new. The other two were easy - probably easier than most youngsters - because they'd been well-handled all their lives (broodmares, in-hand showing etc.)

Provided the horse wasn't 'left' because he'd bucked everyone off at breaking time I wouldn't be at all concerned!

 

[scrumpygus]

I broke my 14 year old mare last year and the same as you she was backed as a 4 year old and done nothing else since and was turned away to live out most of each year - i have to say i found it suprisingly easy compared to when she was backed her as youngster - i was really careful to introduce everything really slowly - i had all the time in the world- and she accepted everything like she had done it for years - there were a few moments but nothing compared to how she was as a 4 year old. She has been a particularly stroppy chestnut mare in the past so i was expecting hell from her but she turned out to be a really easy horse to deal with. Its been about a year now and she is the loveliest horse to ride and hack and super easy to deal with. I hope you have the same good experience i had.