How do I go about telling them it's a bad idea...

xRobyn

xRobyn

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Bit of background. I share my yard with two other owners. Both have a handful of horses. They used to have 'loaners' but when winter came, loaners went so the horses were left over winter. One of the horses in question is a 3 year old gelding. He was gelded in November time and then turned out with the herd over winter. He is VERY slim. He's curious but quite shy and due to lack of handling over winter I'm surprised he's as good as he is. He did however spook when I tried to groom him in the field but he also let me put a headcollar on and walk him across the field with no hesitations. Before he was gelded he didn't have any real training, a few people grooming him here and there but pretty much in the stable on his own :(

He is VERY flashy and will make a lovely driven horse imo, but he is very immature and currently looks more like a yearling than a three year old. He has no muscle, no training etc but his owner has decided he will be backed in two weeks I was very shocked to hear this because of the background etc and plus the fact he is only just three :(

How do I break it to the owner that whilst his intentions are good I think it will be too much, too soon for him and that you can't expect a horse to be backed and ridden away with NO prior training, in a month :eek:

This owner has previously made me feel awful for putting a muzzle on Phil and putting him in a starvation paddock whilst their horses don't have much human contact, even in the summer. I don't want to upset anyone but I think it's a very bad idea for the welfare of the gelding! :confused:
 
is she planning on doing it herself?

I'd let her get on with it... She probably won't suceed!
 
Hmm, leaving it would probably be best I guess.

He's going to be lunged for two weeks now and then being sent away, I'm not sure where he's going.
 
I wouldn't tackle it head on, you need to find a way for them to draw their own conclusions.

For example - is there a 3rd Party who they might respect who could lead the conversation to the subject (what a good looking boy, what are you planning to do with him, etc ..) and they could suggest that normally if the horse is older/fitter/more handled then they might make more money/have better behaved/more admired horse (whatever you think it is that would motivate them.) .... or a book on training horses that gives the handling steps before the backing you could produce and say 'might be on interest!! (Richard Maxwell does a good one)

Difficult one though - you might just have to back off and let them get on with it.
 
You don't! It's not your place to.

Any decent trainer will recognise that the horse needs substantial handling on the ground before the actual backing process begins and will work to a plan accordingly.

Don't worry.
 
You're right. I know they have good intentions it just shocked me to hear that he was going to be backed so soon.

I won't say anything unless they ask though. There isn't anyone else to say anything :(
 
I agree with everything that's been said already. I must add though that you obvously care about this little gelding and you should be commended.
 
Where I keep my horse there are constantly things going on that annoy the **** out of me. Sometimes just differing opinions - sometimes IMO downright cruelty. However, I have learned to keep my mouth shut. :(

Unless there is a SERIOUS welfare issue (and I mean in the eyes of the law) I have learned the hard way that there is little you can do. I also think that sometimes it is best to keep things civil rather than offending people as then, when things do go tits up, you are still on good enough terms to offer help - which benefits the horse the most in the long run.

I realise what I've just written makes me sound like a total wuss who is not going to stand up for mistreated equines :( This isn't the case, but from my experience, you have to let people get on with things sometimes.
 
CBFan said:
You don't! It's not your place to.

Any decent trainer will recognise that the horse needs substantial handling on the ground before the actual backing process begins and will work to a plan accordingly.

Don't worry.
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Ditto above.
 
tbh, I don't have any particular issue with what you've described. Horse is being treated the same way that lots of horses are. Left alone in a field & allowed to just be a horse till they're 3, then sent away to be backed & ridden away.
I imagine that he'll be absolutely fine & come back ready to have a bit of handling & experience this summer & then be turned away again this winter.
 
siennamum said:
tbh, I don't have any particular issue with what you've described. Horse is being treated the same way that lots of horses are. Left alone in a field & allowed to just be a horse till they're 3, then sent away to be backed & ridden away.
I imagine that he'll be absolutely fine & come back ready to have a bit of handling & experience this summer & then be turned away again this winter.
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I personally do not like the idea of ANY just turned 3 year old, under weight, un-handled horses being backed so soon. But then, I've seen the advantage that extensive ground work and preparation can have. Just because lots of horses are treated this way, doesn't make it ideal imo.I accept that some people see no issue, but the primary reason for him being backed is so he can be ridden through summer. We already have a yard of 4 other horses that could be ridden and aren't. He probably will be fine, I just don't like the idea in general. This summer could be used to get him nicely handled and accepting a bit (never been bitted), lunging, long-reining, roller, tack, traffic etc and get some weight on him before being backed at the end of summer.
 
MontyandZoom said:
Where I keep my horse there are constantly things going on that annoy the **** out of me. Sometimes just differing opinions - sometimes IMO downright cruelty. However, I have learned to keep my mouth shut. :(

Unless there is a SERIOUS welfare issue (and I mean in the eyes of the law) I have learned the hard way that there is little you can do. I also think that sometimes it is best to keep things civil rather than offending people as then, when things do go tits up, you are still on good enough terms to offer help - which benefits the horse the most in the long run.

I realise what I've just written makes me sound like a total wuss who is not going to stand up for mistreated equines :( This isn't the case, but from my experience, you have to let people get on with things sometimes.
Click to expand...
Don't think it makes you sound a wuss.
Agree in most instances keeping your mouth shut is best option unless as you say a serious issue.Am getting better at keeping my mouth shut as often different ways of dealing with horses doesn't necessarily make them wrong just different and tbh I get sick of feeling like an interfereing old bag!!
OP don't think there's much you can do tbh people will do what they want to do anyways.
Hopefully it will be going to a reputable person to break and they will take it slowly/advise later breaking if think horse not mature mentally or physically
 
xRobyn said:
I personally do not like the idea of ANY just turned 3 year old, under weight, un-handled horses being backed so soon. But then, I've seen the advantage that extensive ground work and preparation can have. Just because lots of horses are treated this way, doesn't make it ideal imo.I accept that some people see no issue, but the primary reason for him being backed is so he can be ridden through summer. We already have a yard of 4 other horses that could be ridden and aren't. He probably will be fine, I just don't like the idea in general. This summer could be used to get him nicely handled and accepting a bit (never been bitted), lunging, long-reining, roller, tack, traffic etc and get some weight on him before being backed at the end of summer.
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I would always personally take time to do all of the above from birth so there is no real point at which the horse is 'broken in'. BUT there are some very clever and knowledgeable people - more so than me, and I expect you, who think this is the best way to start young horses. My point is that you have no grounds to object to this person doing what many people consider to be the best way to start a young horse.
As for him being immature, it is a shame if he is poor, but just being immature wouldn't stop me backing. I backed my youngster this Winter because he was physically immature & biddable. I'll be very glad by mid Summer that he is happy about me being on board I suspect.
 
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