Finally did it, I rode my homebred 4YO

Asha

Asha

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Well its taken 5 years, from picking the stallion, to seeing a blob with a heartbeat on the scan, to meeting Harry on Easter Friday 2009(the day he was born), to now actually sitting on him.
What an amazing experience its been, and I have learnt so much along the way. ( massive thanks to stallion owners - Castell sports horses, who have been so supportive putting up with my endless phone calls )

We have had some amazing experiences along the way, our first attempt at the BEF, some in hand showing at trailblazers, and the show I will never forget the youngstock class at southview. After behaving as a foal, thought the yearling class would be a breeze. Well Harry enjoyed himself and spent the entire time on his back legs waving at everybody. weirdly enough we came last.

I decided to send him to a pro to get backed, as im just not good enough( or brave enough). So after spending a few weeks at JP's yard he came home to fill out for the summer. Hes been a foxmoss now just for 1 week to get him going again. So I went along yesterday, with brave pants finally on, and yes we did it.
Now, you will probably think this is stupid ( hubby does), but I swear he changed when I got on, he just slowed right down. Aileen told me to expect very powerful paces, well I couldn't believe it, we went into trot and he nearly threw me out of the saddle ! he felt me unbalance, so guess what, he stopped. I like to think he did it because he thought he'd look after his mum. My daughter says he looked instantly chilled when I got on. When I got off he pushed his face into mine and gently breathed in face. Im telling myself he was saying ' did I do ok mum'. So he got a massive hug.
I know hes a baby, and I accept im going to come off at some point, but i'm ready for it ( gulps)

Harry:
as a foal
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as a 2 yo:
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as a 3 yo:

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Finally as a 4 yo:

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The plan is for me to play and just get used to his paces ( he is VERY different to his ID mum, who is quite pony like in her paces) and Foxmoss will school him, and take him to shows when hes ready. Maybe one day I will do him justice

Anyone else done the same ? any tips for 'not messing up'

Please share any pearls of wisdom, i'm going to need them:D
 
Lovely story and lovely horse. I hope you enjoy him as much in the future as you have so far.

I haven't bred my own before but my horse who is currently 4, I bought as a weanling. In some ways it feels like so long ago that I picked him up, in others it feels like yesterday.

I did all of the starting and riding away process myself and have really loved every minute. He is turned away now for winter and I am really missing riding him already (only been a week) because he is such a cool dude!
 
Thanks Wheels. I wish I was brave enough to do the backing myself at home, It must be a wonderful experience to be the first person to have sat on your baby. Good luck with him, you will have to post some pics when you are out and about again.
 
LJR said:
Harry is lovely, you must be sooo pleased with him!

I have bred and backed a few of my own, it is very special.
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Hippona said:
Lump in throat time....:)
You must be very proud x
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it is very special isn't it, I have bored everyone at work with my Harry tales and they think i'm mad.

I have to admit, I did have a little cry when no one was looking, don't tell anyone !
 
Happy story :D

I do know how you feel as I got on my youngster for the first time ever last night, and I was so chuffed with him too. Fun times. :biggrin3:
 
poiuytrewq said:
Must be the most amazing feeling. He was a very gorgeous foal wasn't he!
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Thank you, he was a gorgeous boy, and he knew it ! He wasn't what we expected at all, I was convinced I was getting a chestnut filly,( a replica of his mum) and was presented with a rather cheeky brown boy.
 
Beautiful! You must be so proud and fwiw I think it's a really good idea to get him prof backed if that's what you think best....best of both worlds, isn't it?
 
Lovely story, thank you for sharing! Time must feel like it's flown by. I've got a yearling and can't wait til the day I can ride him :) Look forward to hearing your adventures together.
 
kinnygirl1 said:
Beautiful! You must be so proud and fwiw I think it's a really good idea to get him prof backed if that's what you think best....best of both worlds, isn't it?
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Thank you, and you are spot on I'm a very proud mum.
I never once thought about backing him myself, i'm just not good enough, and until he has some mileage on the clock will be having him schooled regularly, as well as lessons. Plus hes been out and about a bit now, and seen other yards, which can only be good for him. ( I hope)

Echo24 said:
Lovely story, thank you for sharing! Time must feel like it's flown by. I've got a yearling and can't wait til the day I can ride him :) Look forward to hearing your adventures together.
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Time really has flown by. Love them when they are yearlings, such a lovely age isn't it. So curious and playful, do you do much with your baby ?
Our next big adventure is horse camp at the end of the month. I have several pairs of brave pants for that ! ( plus im stocking up on wine to numb the pain)
 
I know exactly how you feel,mine is 3 and 7 mths ive had her from 6 mths old.ive done everything with mine,all her firsts.
I started having a sit on in april,walking being led,going alone,first trot to last week was our first time walking and trotting in a field.we havnt got to canter yet but that will be next,like you when I have my brave pants on lol!
it has definatley been an amazing experience (I had a little cry too when no one was looking)

I am hopefully going to be getting some prof help very soon to progress :)
 
Girlracer said:
Congratulations. What a beautiful boy he is.
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thank you x

nat_1 said:
I know exactly how you feel,mine is 3 and 7 mths ive had her from 6 mths old.ive done everything with mine,all her firsts.
I started having a sit on in april,walking being led,going alone,first trot to last week was our first time walking and trotting in a field.we havnt got to canter yet but that will be next,like you when I have my brave pants on lol!
it has definatley been an amazing experience (I had a little cry too when no one was looking)
I am hopefully going to be getting some prof help very soon to progress :)
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its an amazing rollercoaster of emotions isn't it! But seriously well done you, for being able to do it all yourself. Look forward to seeing some pics of you both x

ShadowHunter said:
aww, lovely story. Harry is such a lovely looking horse. Would love to do this myself one day too.
Did have a lump in my throat reading that, best of luck with him :)
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Thank you, and good luck making it happen.
 
Congratulations!!
Aileen backed my boy as well so I had my first sit on him in the same school ;-)
She does such a lovely job with them I am sure Harry will turn out fab. My boy has been brilliant since he came home - despite his numpty rider :-P
 
buddylove said:
Congratulations!!
Aileen backed my boy as well so I had my first sit on him in the same school ;-)
She does such a lovely job with them I am sure Harry will turn out fab. My boy has been brilliant since he came home - despite his numpty rider :-P
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Brilliant, that's great to hear. they have amazing facilities don't they! The arena has really helped my boy open up a bit, and think a bit more forward. Great to hear some Foxmoss success stories, I hope my boys as well behaved
 
Thats a lovely story! I've backed my 3 yr old with the help of a young LW rider as we have no facilities etc. I rode him for the first time on Wednesday and the difference in him is marked! When shes on board he still looks to me for reassurance and to be the person in charge. When I got on, very sensibly with my non horsey OH as helper :D he was a different horse. More confident and happy. They know who mum is! :)
 
FrankieCob said:
Thats a lovely story! I've backed my 3 yr old with the help of a young LW rider as we have no facilities etc. I rode him for the first time on Wednesday and the difference in him is marked! When shes on board he still looks to me for reassurance and to be the person in charge. When I got on, very sensibly with my non horsey OH as helper :D he was a different horse. More confident and happy. They know who mum is! :)
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That's fantastic, you've made my night. I thought I was imagining things.
Congrats on backing your youngster, you must be very proud:D
 
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