Debate - can foals/youngsters etc ever...

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i don't think its amazing at all.

as long as you have patience and think logically i think a novice can be far better for a young horse than a know it all.

when i was 15 i bought a 17.1hh 3yro unbroken mare as she was all i could afford.
as i had never broken a horse before, i didn't know what she should be doing but we took it all very slowly, if she (or i!) was unsure about anything i dropped back a stage.

lotti turned out to be the most beautifully mannered horse you could have wished for.
she was almost telepathic in knowing what you wanted in the school, you could hack her on the buckle, lead horses off her, teach new riders on her and she never put a foot wrong.

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well, I did it...
Me too !!!!!!!!!
I bought a 3 year old unbacked arab, when I was 16 years old!, I still have him, hes 18 this year... We had ups and downs... but we learnt together, and now we have a strong bond.. I could put my life in his hooves!!!!!
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and feel confident. We have done so much together..and I learnt so much from him.. If I hadnt been through that experience , I couldnt have taken on my dwb, who was a very green 6 year old.. now almost have the same bond with him, as we have worked through his terrible nervousness and as he was so so lacked confidence, I had to be double confident!!! Wouldnt say I have a lot of experience, but Im learning all the time, from every horse I work with.. And I love it.. so much. I decided to back, my broodmare, which I had have so much fun doing, and now my andalusian..
So yes a novice can back a youngster and do a good job. I think if the horse actually trusts you, then thats half the battle, as they are much more likely to obey your instructions.
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If you've got an experienced person on the ground to help and you're not afraid to ask questions every step of the way then yes I think it can work.

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I'd agree - although it depends a bit on the person - and of course the horse! I had a student on work experience last year and we gave her a 3 year old to back - under supervision. She was a tidy little rider - though not very confident - and the mare she took on was sensible and well-handled. Student did a brilliant job - fell in love with mare and bought her - and is now back at College with the mare - they're a real partnership!

So it CAN work. But if the horse is 'tricky', and/or the novice owner lacks common sense - and/or help - it can also be a TOTAL disaster!
 
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