From backing to competing under saddle. How long

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MagicMelon

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Just curious as to how long it generally takes you (if you do!) from first sitting on a horse to entering its first show (under saddle)?

I backed one, taught him to jump and entered him for his first tiny weeny show jumping show in 7 weeks. But he was an extremely willing little guy who loved doing things so progressed super quickly! Its just one or two people seemed almost shocked about this! But to be honest, I took him at the speed he wanted to progress at and he went on to a new home where he has never put a foot wrong so I certainly don't believe I did him any harm whatsoever!

Do you have set limits (like first month just working up to the getting on his back bit, second month working on basic schooling, third month introduce poles etc.) or purely go with the flow?
 
I think it definitely depends on the horse, i have 2 yearlings at the moment and when the time comes to break and back them in the future i am sure one of mine will be off and competing in a very short space of time while the other will probably be still grasping the basics, i think it very much depends on the individual and how mature they are both mentally and physically with the demands of backing and then competing...
 
6 weeks - we broke him in and then took him to the Dales Spring Breed show - however, it was a walk and trot class only, and he has been going to shows since a yearling, so it wasn't so much of a step up really.
 
If you read some of the comments in the showing pages of H&H, people say that they've whipped the horse off a local mountain 2 weeks ago, broke it and here he is, winning the Supreme Champs at ??? Show. I guess they're exaggerating just a tiny bit???
 
When I was about 14 I broke a horse in and 2 weeks after backing I took it to a local show and won a walk and trot dressage test and 2ft showjumping.
Racing wise, my dad backed one and 6 weeks later it won first time out in a bumper. She went on to win the champion hurdle.
As for set limits, dont have one regards to actually backing. Some horses I lean across for all of 3 strides, Cheekster I rode lent across for a month (didnt I get some funny looks up through the village). As a rule I always trot the first day im on their back, and hope to have a canter within 3.
 
With ours waited 2 years from backing until competing

However I like to take my time with them and our breeds are slow to mature (mentally and physically!). I'm sure you can speed things up with a TB type.
 
Don't be in so much of a hurry. There is not such thing as a quick fix. Quick fixes don't last and any problem you think you've solved comes right back at you and takes even longer to sort out. Always be mindful of the breed & age, some breeds mature earlier but always be aware that doing things that are very strenuous with a young & not yet fully developed horse can cause lasting damage. There's no need to rush.
 
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