Buying Youngsters - Backed or Unspoilt?

Lippyx

Lippyx

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Right, been thinking (as you do)....

After the 2 day event I done the other week on Horlicks, I did actually ask YO if she would sell Horlicks, but she said not at the moment... far enough.
Then we got talking and she said why don't I get a 3 yr old thats ready to back myself (I would keep it at the yard she's at, so she could offer a helping hand!)

So, it made me think about what would you look for in a 3yr old, to know he/she would be "good" to back. I know I may get shot down for this, but what made you choose the youngster you backed, and what "issues" did you come across?

I have helped back babies, be it a few years ago, but as YO will be around to help, its made me think about it more seriously!
 
This is exactly what I did and don't regret it for a minute. I know my girls history, know every experience she has had, and have bonded with her so brilliantly. You have to have patience as my girly is now 4 (brought her as a 2yr old) and I would love to be out competing but holding off till she is a bit older.

Do it, do it, do it!!!! It is so rewarding!
 
I have found that a lot of 3 year old have gone through owners trying to back them and they have proved too difficult so they sell them on. I would look to see them being lunged with tack on at that age, but i would be more tempted to go for a 2 year old that turning 3 next year.
I chose my yearling on the fact that he was the one that was there looking over the stable door and putting his nose in your face unlike the other one that was running away from you. I wish he was a year older as the waiting is awful lol
 
Go for it !
I swopped my horse for a youngster and we are breaking him in now. Notice I say we . I know that I am not capable of doing the first bit of backing so I have help. I have done the groundwork longreining lunging etc But my friend who has more experience has backed him. When he is suitably quiet for an old geriaitric like me to get on I will. As long as you have someone to help as it is never as quite straight forward as you would like I would give it serious thought
Good luck
 
I'm so tempted, but very worried about ending up with smething that has dangerous vices! One girl at the yard has a cob that she is backing and she is always going on about how he has reared and bucked with her etc!!

I would love to get a 2 going on 3 year old, to work with from the ground and then back just before winter, to then turn away, and restart next spring!!
I know he/she will be good for general day to day, as the yard I will keep it has a good routine of turning out, bringing in, picking out feet etc.
 
Well you will go through bad pathches but if horse is rearing and bucking its propberbly because they are rushing it
 
With any youngster you have to be prepared to put up with a certain amount of bucking/rearing/not perfect behaviou, even if it turns out they are an angel and don't put a foot wrong the chances of them bucking/rearing at some point are high and you have to be prepared to deal with it. Because a horse rears the first time someone is on it I wouldn't count as a dangerous vice, just finding out what its about and scared/confused. Doesn't make it less dangerous though. Tally rears alot, and he isn't being rushed, the only times he rears are tied up and leading
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For what you want to do, a 3 going on 4YO sounds a better age...Depending on horse obviously but you don't want to find the 2YO is too immature to break as an old 2YO this winter.
 
Firstly I would look for a 4yo ready to break IMO as apposed to a 3yo.

I would want all the basic handling done but i think i would prefer if it hadnt been lunged, long-reined etc, just a COMPLETELY clean slate.
 
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I'm so tempted, but very worried about ending up with smething that has dangerous vices! One girl at the yard has a cob that she is backing and she is always going on about how he has reared and bucked with her etc!!



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Vices are trained INTO a horse - they aren't born with them!

I have to say that - IMHO - MOST people who try to back their own youngsters make a pig's dinner of it! About half the youngsters I get here for backing are actually for RE-backing - because owner has tried and failed. These youngsters are far harder to get going than a youngster that's done nothing!

And our own home-bred youngsters are easiest of all - because we start preparing them for their ridden career by the time they are 24 hours old!! It is TOTALLY natural and instinctive for horses to rear or buck to get rid of the 'predator' on their backs. My day old babies will buck if you put a hand on the saddle area (so I lead them with a hand on their back until they stop!
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So by putting my arm across my filly's back with a little pressure now I'm making it easier to back her later? I just rest my arm on her and if she walks off I go with her

She's 10 months old btw
 
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So by putting my arm across my filly's back with a little pressure now I'm making it easier to back her later? I just rest my arm on her and if she walks off I go with her

She's 10 months old btw

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Yep - ALL sorts of good handling helps. I start with hand on back with day old foals - and leave it there until they stop trying to buck it off! (i have one yearling who bucked for 3 weeks - most accept it after 3 days!) I also drape an arm right over the back and tickle the girth area; when I weigh tape them I tighten the weigh tape up a bit more after getting the weight (Melody nearly hit the roof at that one!); and when they're lying down in the stable I'll sit beside them, lean over them etc. Whenever they come in, I'll 'bounce' beside them, and if I catch them lying down I'll often put a leg over and lower myself to JUST touch their backs - then lean forward and stroke all over the head and ears.

My youngsters tend to be VERY easy to back - the odd one will buck the first time ridden - but that's pretty rare!
 
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I chose my yearling on the fact that he was the one that was there looking over the stable door and putting his nose in your face unlike the other one that was running away from you. I wish he was a year older as the waiting is awful lol

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I wish there were more buyers like you. Mine will mob anyone who comes into the field - and they can't SEE them because the damn things are so close!!
 
I bought a minimally handled rising 2yo as I wanted to make sure I wasn't buying someone elses failed effort.
As Janet says, handling and preparation all done before the backing are the key. This one of the reasons I'm glad I bought a 2yo, so I had no pressure to do anything untill I knew the horse was ready.
It's very enjoyable but takes a long time and you have to put all competitive ambitions on hold. If you're not prepared to do that I'd buy a 4yo. At least then you can ride it and see for yourself if it's been backed correctly!
 
I forgot to say! Like weshmonsters I chose my horse based on the fact that he liked people and was interested in things rather than scared of them.
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mm... i would be iffy. i would go for one from a proffessional who has only just backed it- then you can at least sit on it, but will still be the blank canvas you are after for training. this doesnt garuntee (sp) a safe horse, but at least you know it has been done and you can go from there.

I thought about this when i was looking for my new one- but after riding just backed horses, and seeing them before they are backed etc, the price difference is worth paying for the knowledge that they are sane to ride! especially if they are bigger competition types. Im not saying ponies are 'easier' to back- but a 13hh pony would be easier to cope with than a 16hh horse , generally.
 
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mm... i would be iffy. i would go for one from a proffessional who has only just backed it- then you can at least sit on it, but will still be the blank canvas you are after for training. this doesnt garuntee (sp) a safe horse, but at least you know it has been done and you can go from there.


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We like to sell ours when they have been backed for about 6-8 weeks and are hacking quietly alone or in company. They're still not completely BOMBproof, obviously, but it is SO scarey selling backed youngsters. People turn up and you have NO idea if they can ride or not - or if they are capable of SITTING on a youngster.

I have been known to offer people a ride on Dad first (17 hh stallion!) If they can't get a good walk to canter transition from HIM, I know it won't be safe to put them on a youngster! (He turns into a riding school nag with a novice!
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oh, i would believe that- I have had to sell an experienced older horse before, and then number of simply uncapable people that turn up is unbelievable! i assume they are simply bored on a sunday afternoon!
 
Well, I think you often go out thinking I will buy XYZ and end up with something completly different!

I agree with Gemmaalex and Janet and I go for a lightly backed youngster. Personally I would go to a good stud as at least then you have the backup of the stud should you have any questions/need help and they will know their stock well and what horse will most suit you. Also you can potter and get to know your youngster over the winter before starting more serious ridden work in the spring as a five year old. Babies can take a long time to mature, so if you get a 2 or 3 year old, realisticly it will be 2-3 years before you can do much riding.

A well handled youngster is rarely any trouble to actually back and ride away. Go for a youngster that is peopole orientated and friendly. Big paces can look impressive but such horses are often harder to balance so I would always go for a trainable temprement over flashy any day. As they mature and are correctly trained the more 'boring' youngsters will look more and more impressive
 
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