skye123
Well-Known Member
Just curious really how experienced you have to be/feel to take on a youngster? Would love to do it but just worried about not being experienced enough and messing it up!
Getting first ever youngster - how experienced do you have to be?
- Thread starter skye123
- Start date
BobbyMondeo
Well-Known Member
I bought 2 youngsters in august 4 and 5 both needed a lot of bringing on. Everyone said i was mad but we have got on well and now my tb has gone off to a loan home where he is going to hunt next season.
Im only 18 , been riding since i was 12. And they were my first horses of my own, even though i have had loans before.
Just go with what feels right, everyone needs to do it at somepoint to learn.
Im only 18 , been riding since i was 12. And they were my first horses of my own, even though i have had loans before.
Just go with what feels right, everyone needs to do it at somepoint to learn.
scribble
Well-Known Member
I think if you have to ask then you are maybe not. I would say you have to have helped on several before and feel confident handling young horses of all types not just the quiet ones. horses can be messed up and spoilt by in correct handling etc. dont mean to sound harsh but think very craefully. We have bred severl youngsetrs noow and all are out competing well and have been a mix of a monsterr and quiet. i helped my mum, did my pony club tests and BHS 1,2 and 3 training and i have had a warmblood i have broken and brought on to ineetrmediate level eventing but just got my first baby i am going to do on my own and lthough i am confident i am also nervious of messing up a lovely horse. i know i have poeple i can go to for advice
madiz123
Well-Known Member
Aaaahh I have just gone and bought my first youngster!! I've been going on and off the idea every year but I recently found a fantastic little mare. I'm 17 and I have ridden since I was five, but my family is non-horsey, however willing to support me and my antics.
I was unsure, but I am unafraid of any type of horse, crazy or not. My game plan is to be really slow with the new pony, and concentrate on her abilities rather than my own (aka not trying to improve my own ball handling skills - I'm teaching her polo) I also plan to keep in touch with various people who do train horses and use them for advice and correction.
It is really hard deciding whether you yourself are up to the job - all I can say is ask lots of people you know what it takes to train a youngster and also whether they think you are up to it. You don't have to agree with them but it is still worth finding out.
I was unsure, but I am unafraid of any type of horse, crazy or not. My game plan is to be really slow with the new pony, and concentrate on her abilities rather than my own (aka not trying to improve my own ball handling skills - I'm teaching her polo) I also plan to keep in touch with various people who do train horses and use them for advice and correction.
It is really hard deciding whether you yourself are up to the job - all I can say is ask lots of people you know what it takes to train a youngster and also whether they think you are up to it. You don't have to agree with them but it is still worth finding out.
canteron
Well-Known Member
If you do then choose a horse with a good temperament (ie not to hot) and make sure you leave a really good sized budget for help. Things will go wrong, you will have challenges but if you have good quality help on hand (I always think if you are are prepared to pay then you can ensure you get the right help at the right time) then you will personally learn so much about horses and be inspired by the people you work with and hopefully end up with a horse you really bond with.
I took on a very green troubled youngster a few years ago. It has all worked out well in the end and I have made great great friends from the people who have helped me on the journey, but realistically, it would have been a great deal cheaper (and possibly less painful from all the falls) if I had just bought a well trained horse in the first place!!
I took on a very green troubled youngster a few years ago. It has all worked out well in the end and I have made great great friends from the people who have helped me on the journey, but realistically, it would have been a great deal cheaper (and possibly less painful from all the falls) if I had just bought a well trained horse in the first place!!
Coffee_Bean
Well-Known Member
scribble- you yourself are worried about messing it up, and you have a youngster so obviously think that you are experienced enough... so I think its a little harsh and hypocritical to say that if you are questioning your abilities then you shouldn't have a youngster!!!
Chips- I'm hoping to get my first youngster in August, I've had my horse for 2.5 years and she isn't a plod, and we've had rough patches. I will have been riding for about 4 years I think, which some will say isn't long, but I have ridden a lot in that time. I sit on anything and everything and have had a lot of variety in the horses I've ridden. My instructor/YO is around often and reckons I could cope, she is always around for help too. Like someone else said, I'm planning on getting something with an easy temperament, and will have lots of people to help me BUT like you I am very nervous about it, but will just take things really slow, listen to what other people are telling me, and hope for the best
Chips- I'm hoping to get my first youngster in August, I've had my horse for 2.5 years and she isn't a plod, and we've had rough patches. I will have been riding for about 4 years I think, which some will say isn't long, but I have ridden a lot in that time. I sit on anything and everything and have had a lot of variety in the horses I've ridden. My instructor/YO is around often and reckons I could cope, she is always around for help too. Like someone else said, I'm planning on getting something with an easy temperament, and will have lots of people to help me BUT like you I am very nervous about it, but will just take things really slow, listen to what other people are telling me, and hope for the best
MrsMozart
Just passing through...
[ QUOTE ]
Aaaahh I have just gone and bought my first youngster!! I've been going on and off the idea every year but I recently found a fantastic little mare. I'm 17 and I have ridden since I was five, but my family is non-horsey, however willing to support me and my antics.
I was unsure, but I am unafraid of any type of horse, crazy or not. My game plan is to be really slow with the new pony, and concentrate on her abilities rather than my own (aka not trying to improve my own ball handling skills - I'm teaching her polo) I also plan to keep in touch with various people who do train horses and use them for advice and correction.
It is really hard deciding whether you yourself are up to the job - all I can say is ask lots of people you know what it takes to train a youngster and also whether they think you are up to it. You don't have to agree with them but it is still worth finding out.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah, you went for the youngster then
Aaaahh I have just gone and bought my first youngster!! I've been going on and off the idea every year but I recently found a fantastic little mare. I'm 17 and I have ridden since I was five, but my family is non-horsey, however willing to support me and my antics.
I was unsure, but I am unafraid of any type of horse, crazy or not. My game plan is to be really slow with the new pony, and concentrate on her abilities rather than my own (aka not trying to improve my own ball handling skills - I'm teaching her polo) I also plan to keep in touch with various people who do train horses and use them for advice and correction.
It is really hard deciding whether you yourself are up to the job - all I can say is ask lots of people you know what it takes to train a youngster and also whether they think you are up to it. You don't have to agree with them but it is still worth finding out.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah, you went for the youngster then
MrsMozart
Just passing through...
OP - we have a twelve year old pony that is a bit screwed up, and Friend has a three year old that, thanks to good handling since the age of six months-ish, is as good as gold (though have been through the shadow boxing, biting, kicking stage
).
If you have the ability to ask for help when you need it, and to be firm and fair, kind and strong at the same time, then maybe you are good enough. One cannot say until one tries. I know of some people with a wealth of experience, but they actually aren't any good with horses...
.
If you have the ability to ask for help when you need it, and to be firm and fair, kind and strong at the same time, then maybe you are good enough. One cannot say until one tries. I know of some people with a wealth of experience, but they actually aren't any good with horses...
tasel
Well-Known Member
Go with what you feel is right. I have one, and it is a steep learning curve, but it was worth it...
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
My first ever pony was only a 5yo so I guess I started with youngsters when I was 9
Its hard to say if you're ready... you'll probably know deep down. I find it extremely rewarding backing and bringing on youngsters though but I know other people who hate it! If you do decide to go for it, make sure that a calm, willing temperament is your biggest priority as they're the easiest to deal with
millitiger
Well-Known Member
i bought an unbroken 17hh 3yro mare as my 2nd horse when i was 15... my first horse was a 14.2hh who spend all of his time rearing and spinning!
I had never really had anything to do with youngsters before and had never even seen a horse being broken let alone done it but i was confident and used to riding naughty horses.
lotti and i fiddled through together with no help (but a good book on breaking!) and she was very easy to break and ride on and i actually never had an issue ever with her!
the one thing i would say is to go for temperament above all else... i would rather have a sane and sensible first youngster than a flashy one- i dread to think where lotti and i would have ended up if she had even thought about a little half buck or anything in the first few months as i had no back up and it never really crossed my mind she might be naughty!
I had never really had anything to do with youngsters before and had never even seen a horse being broken let alone done it but i was confident and used to riding naughty horses.
lotti and i fiddled through together with no help (but a good book on breaking!) and she was very easy to break and ride on and i actually never had an issue ever with her!
the one thing i would say is to go for temperament above all else... i would rather have a sane and sensible first youngster than a flashy one- i dread to think where lotti and i would have ended up if she had even thought about a little half buck or anything in the first few months as i had no back up and it never really crossed my mind she might be naughty!
SO1
Well-Known Member
Sorry to take over the thread but what age would you consider a horse not to be a youngster?
There is a big different between say a foal and a backed 4 year old.
My pony was just 5 when I got him and late backed and whilst he has a super temperment it has been quite hard as I have had to teach him on the schooling side - when I first got him I could not even get him to canter in the school. I have a good instructor though which has helped with the schooling side - hacking out was fine as he had done quite a lot of that before I got him.
What I have found is that my riding has deteriorated as I spend time focus on improving my pony and it is hard to improve myself at the same time eg my position and the finer points of riding in a more classical way.
There is a big different between say a foal and a backed 4 year old.
My pony was just 5 when I got him and late backed and whilst he has a super temperment it has been quite hard as I have had to teach him on the schooling side - when I first got him I could not even get him to canter in the school. I have a good instructor though which has helped with the schooling side - hacking out was fine as he had done quite a lot of that before I got him.
What I have found is that my riding has deteriorated as I spend time focus on improving my pony and it is hard to improve myself at the same time eg my position and the finer points of riding in a more classical way.
tania01
Well-Known Member
I got my first youngster about a year and a half ago.Before i got him i was the exact same as you are,i also did not have anyone to ask or full back on.
I asked for help on here when i did not feel confident and have been helped a lot by two people on here.
Prince who is 4 this month is a total dream and still not put a foot wrong.
If you do have someone to full back on all the better it will give you a bit more confidence knowing you have help at hand,good luck in whatever you do.
I asked for help on here when i did not feel confident and have been helped a lot by two people on here.
Prince who is 4 this month is a total dream and still not put a foot wrong.
If you do have someone to full back on all the better it will give you a bit more confidence knowing you have help at hand,good luck in whatever you do.
lizzie_liz
Well-Known Member
It all depends on your confidence levels and the support you will have as well as the facilities.
I was 13 when I got my first horse. She was rising 4, IDxTB, straight from Ireland. But I had a lot of people to give me advice. I still have her and I am now 22. I would buy another rising 4 year old again. There are definately things I would change how I went about her but you are always learning with horses.
However when you talk about a youngster how young are you referring too? There is big difference between something that isnt backed to something that has been backed.
I was 13 when I got my first horse. She was rising 4, IDxTB, straight from Ireland. But I had a lot of people to give me advice. I still have her and I am now 22. I would buy another rising 4 year old again. There are definately things I would change how I went about her but you are always learning with horses.
However when you talk about a youngster how young are you referring too? There is big difference between something that isnt backed to something that has been backed.
Berkeley
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Go with what you feel is right. I have one, and it is a steep learning curve, but it was worth it...
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Here here! I totally agree. I have one and enjoying every minute of it.
I plan his training in stages and get help in at the beginning of each stage and go forward from there.
A few people told me that I couldn't do it - but hey, no one's born an expert.
Go with what you feel is right. I have one, and it is a steep learning curve, but it was worth it...
[/ QUOTE ]
Here here! I totally agree. I have one and enjoying every minute of it.
I plan his training in stages and get help in at the beginning of each stage and go forward from there.
A few people told me that I couldn't do it - but hey, no one's born an expert.
diggerbez
Well-Known Member
i think the fact that you are worrying about it is actually a good sign
i think that this shows that you are aware of your own limitations and will be willing to seek advice when you need it. i am much more concerned by people who think they will have no problems with youngsters...
i would say that the most important thing is that you are a fairly confident handler as babies tend to throw more at you (literally
) than horses that are more used to being handled- but i think this confidence is often innate and doesn't necessarily corrolate to 'years experience'. i took on my first proper youngster (unbroken 3 year old) in january and i'm loving every minute of it and i'm learning loads. i have a brilliant support team around me though who i can turn to for advice- i think this is important- i had originally planned to break mine in myself and after being sent flying 4x in one week i sent him away to be finished off- its about being able to compromise and not try and stubbornly do everything yourself.
good luck
i would say that the most important thing is that you are a fairly confident handler as babies tend to throw more at you (literally
Azabache
Well-Known Member
You have to be prepared for a roller coaster ride. There may be days when it all seems to be going wrong and you question what have I done, I'm not experienced enough to do this, I'm letting the horse down, etc.... However if you can get through those days then the rewards are enormous. as all your future achievements will be down to you. I think it's a very special bond to between horse and you, as you are learning together and having new experiences together. I bought mine as a 4 yeard old and have learnt more in the last four years then I have in the previous 20 odd years of being around horses. If you've got knowledgeable and moreover supportive friends around you who can help you through the trickier days, then go for it and enjoy the ride!
Coffee_Bean
Well-Known Member
Everyone who has posted on here has definately confirmed what I already thought and wanted- I'm getting a baby when i sell my mare
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
Good luck Coffee_Bean - its really is incredibly rewarding. Just get one that is really nice natured!! And dont be put off by strawny, scruffy looking youngsters, they often flourish into stunning horses 
diggerbez
Well-Known Member
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Good luck Coffee_Bean - its really is incredibly rewarding. Just get one that is really nice natured!! And dont be put off by strawny, scruffy looking youngsters, they often flourish into stunning horses
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ditto this...
my 4 year old looked like a bog pony when i got him in jan and he's shaping up to be something really special
Good luck Coffee_Bean - its really is incredibly rewarding. Just get one that is really nice natured!! And dont be put off by strawny, scruffy looking youngsters, they often flourish into stunning horses
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ditto this...
Amaretto
Well-Known Member
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Good luck Coffee_Bean - its really is incredibly rewarding. Just get one that is really nice natured!! And dont be put off by strawny, scruffy looking youngsters, they often flourish into stunning horses
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ditto this...
my 4 year old looked like a bog pony when i got him in jan and he's shaping up to be something really special
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Mine too! Jan = mane down to shoulders, furry coat, angular hips, scruffy, funny looks when he arrived at my yard. May = shiny, smart, grown an inch upwards and more outwards, lovely looking youngster, coming on a treat, gaining lots of compliments!
[ QUOTE ]
Good luck Coffee_Bean - its really is incredibly rewarding. Just get one that is really nice natured!! And dont be put off by strawny, scruffy looking youngsters, they often flourish into stunning horses
[/ QUOTE ]
ditto this...
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Mine too! Jan = mane down to shoulders, furry coat, angular hips, scruffy, funny looks when he arrived at my yard. May = shiny, smart, grown an inch upwards and more outwards, lovely looking youngster, coming on a treat, gaining lots of compliments!