Calling all youngster owners!. . . .

[michellev123]

Just a few quick questions:

1) When the time came for backing your youngster did you do it yourself or send them away?

2) Why did you do what you did?

3) If you could do it again would you do the same?

4) If you sent them away, how much had you done with them before they went?

5) And how long were they gone?

I am wanting to back Oscar myself have helped back two youngsters (apaloosa and an arab) and have helpful livery staff (who have backed many horses), instructor and knowlagable frineds.

Just wondered what everyone else did/does and why?

Thanks in advance!!
Here is my little man,he is nearly 2.

 

[Sunny08]

Just a few quick questions:

1) When the time came for backing your youngster did you do it yourself or send them away?
Did it myself

2) Why did you do what you did?
I wanted to know everything my horse had experienced and I wanted it to help 'bond' us/

3) If you could do it again would you do the same?
Yes - wouldn't change a thing

4) If you sent them away, how much had you done with them before they went?
N/A

5) And how long were they gone?
N/A


I do think though that me doing it did take longer but resulted in a really nice horse which I have an amazing bond with.

 

[Sunny08]

Just a few quick questions:

1) When the time came for backing your youngster did you do it yourself or send them away?
Did it myself

2) Why did you do what you did?
I wanted to know everything my horse had experienced and I wanted it to help 'bond' us/

3) If you could do it again would you do the same?
Yes - wouldn't change a thing

4) If you sent them away, how much had you done with them before they went?
N/A

5) And how long were they gone?
N/A


I do think though that me doing it did take longer but resulted in a really nice horse which I have an amazing bond with.

P.S. - Gorgeous horse BTW!

 

[Echo Bravo]

I shall be backing my Oscar this year as he's coming up 4, I didn't do him last year as he was still thin and weak.
I've always done my own animals, as they trust you and just be sensible about it as the old saying goes a little commonsense goes a long way.
If your handleing of him has been good, he will take things in his stride. don't rush and always end up on a good note, even if it's only 5 mins, because he will pick up on the happy vibes coming from you and try and please you again.
If things aren't going as you want, put him away til next day, as by then your frustration will have gone and you both can start on a clear slate.
Best of Luck

 

[JoBo]

1) I did it myself, but had help on the ground from my instructor and my sister (_Gina_).
2) Because I wanted to do it myself.
3) Absolutely, I believe we have the bond we do today because I backed him myself.
4) Not applicable.
5) Not applicable.

I spent about 6 months backing Bodey (the coloured in my sig). I spent quite a lot of 'getting to know each other' time, then quite a lot of ground work (bomb proofing). I was backing him as my ‘forever’ horse, so just took the time I needed to. He was the first horse I had backed.
I have not looked back, he is a great all-rounder, and I love riding him.

 

[rubyrumba]

I have 2 rising 2 year olds and i will be doing them myself. Just broken my sons pony and have had lots of lovely comments about how responsive he is and soft in the mouth.

 

[JVB]

1) When the time came for backing your youngster did you do it yourself or send them away? Bought an unbacked 3 yr old - only reason bought was to back and produce myself (life long ambition)

2) Why did you do what you did? I had the time and the money, I was keen to learn, gave blood, sweat and tears to the process, I think it was an itch that had to be scratched, and having done it once with lots of help I now want to repeat the process until I am competent doing it mostly on my own.

3) If you could do it again would you do the same? Yes, but would know how to speed the process up and have much more confidence.

4) If you sent them away, how much had you done with them before they went? N/A

5) And how long were they gone? N/A

 

[lady_annabelle]

i backed my 4 year old with help from a trainer which has meant we had a special bond it took alot longer but i knew how hard i could push her so she enjoyed it. saved lots of money if she had proved difficult to back i probably would of sent away though

 

[muddy_grey]

I backed my old horse myself.
I had a lot of experience adn help at hand. It was nice to take it further than the backing though.
I think the most important thing is to have someone you trust on the ground, you don't want to worry about them too.
Good luck and can't wait for the progress reports.

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

1) When the time came for backing your youngster did you do it yourself or send them away? ...... I did it myself . Bought her as a 6month old foal, Shes now 4 years old .

2) Why did you do what you did? I love the bonding and I now know every basic little thing she has went through in her life .

3) If you could do it again would you do the same?
Yes, wouldn't change anything .

 

[Nari]

One was done professionally, the other I did myself.

The one I had done professionally is a very big lad who's always been sharp - lovely natured but not one to make mistakes with. The other is a much easier person, forward but not sharp & not one to get upset if something goes wrong.

I'd do almost the same again. The first yard he went to wasn't right for him so YOs did me a huge favour & had him back to break (they'd given up breaking in but had done a lot of it in the past). Now I'd have asked them first as they did a lovely job.

The big lad had lunged, worn tack, been leant all over & walked out in hand before going away. He was handled like any adult horse.

I think he was gone 5 weeks at first yard & they couldn't do a thing with him despite an excellent reputation. I seem to remember YOs taking about 3/4 weeks as they made sure he was happy with everything before going further.

 

[Dogstar]

Your coloured baby is sweet. I sent my home bred lad (by Jumbo out of my good hunter mare) away, as I had no time, facilities nor help. He was very laid back and had already worn tack, led about etc so I would have been happy to back him myself if I had more time and help etc. He was gone for just a week and I was perfectly happy about it as the I knew the people I sent him to were good. I may or may not back my yearling myself, it would depend upon circumstances.

 

[surprise]

my home bred boy , would not let anyone back my youngsters, by the time they are ready to back you have a bond if you have handled them yourself, they trust you far more than a stranger, plus i long rein mine alot longer than most people so they have a good understanding of whats expected from them, with a mouth that we are both happy and settled with, being correctly balanced to take a rider with confidents, knowledge and understanding of what you want from them, but if you dont have the knowledge or time send your youngster to some one who does, saves a lot of time and heartache.

 

[Toast]

I voted yes because i will be backing my rising 2yr old myself.. and why? because i want the experience of doing it myself and knowing my horse inside out i know how he will react to things better than anyone else will. I hope that it helps the bond between us also
x

 

[CBFan]

My boy is 2 1/2 and so far I have done everything myself. He is bitted and girthed (with saddle on) and done a couple of very short lunging sessions (for discipline reasons rather than training) This summer I plan to lean over him and get him confortable with the idea of being mounted and after that I will see how we feel but I do know I want a very hands on approach as, like others have said, I want to know about all his experiences.

If you've got knowledgeable help, I can't see any reason why you shouldn't do it yourself.

 

[michellev123]

O thats so good to hear, I want to do it myself so badly, for all the reasons you said and I couldnt bear to send him away (would miss him far too much)

Now the next questions (maybe should start another thread?.... )will see how this goes

1) What did you do with them?

Ie)bitting, lunging, long reining, saddle on, leanig someone over them etc etc

2)How old were they when you did it?


Sorry am just so excited! I know he isn't two yet but want to get planning he will lead out in hand and is very good with all traffic (lorries, busses, cars, biles etc) He is a really chilled little man actually so hopefully he will take it all in his stride.

3) What would you be doing with him as a 2yo? 3yo? 4yo?

Thanks so much guys in advance!!!