How do you know when you're ready for a youngster?

[dwi]

D is going to go up for sale in the spring because as lovely as she is she's a finished project. She has gone from being a fat, awkward, unschooled horse to anyone's ride, will happily pop 3ft 3, loves to go xc and hunt and will hack alone or in company. She's not built to affiliate but I need the challenge of having something to improve.

I was going to buy a 6-8 yo that I could go out and compete on straight away but I don't know how satisfying I'd find that. For me it's never been about the rosettes, just about knowing that myself and the horse are both getting better at what we are doing.

I'm tempted with buying a 4yo to back but how do you know if you're ready to do it? I wouldn't be alone, my RI would help me lots but I don't want to ruin a lovely horse by getting it wrong.

 

[Cliqmo]

Having bought a 3yr old unbacked project (who still isn't backed a year later, but that is a different post

) I sort of wish I had bought something that was already backed and needed bringing on as you cut out alot of the very slow progress and get more quickly onto the fun stuff... I have to admit with all the fun I am having with the share horse (14yr old ex racer) I'm riding whilst my broken baby is healing , I am seriously considering getting myself a failed racehorse 'next time' as although they can be nutty, they are at least used to having a person on their back

 

[kateknights]

I have just got a 3 yr old wasn't planned at all! He was just a must have and i haven't looked back yet! We are bound to have our ups and downs, but he is so easy going, not spoilt or been mistreated in any wayand that means a lot. I am really looking forward tot eaching him everything and taking him to lots of places and the feeling of the rest of his life with me is so lovely
Kate x

 

[Flame_]

Have you considered getting a 3 or 4 year old and getting a very good professional to do the backing? I think this is the bit where you really have to know what you are doing, and mistakes at this stage are disastrous. I think bringing them on yourself is do-able, rewarding, and I don't think for a minute you would ruin the horse. Personally, I wouldn't risk the responsibility of doing the backing myself, but I'm happy to do the bringing on.

 

[KatB]

Don't think until you have done alot of bringing on you can ever really be prepared! Young horses are a HUGE challenge, and will always find something new to throw at you. However, you are not having to put up with others mistakes, they will all be your own!!

I swore I wouldnt get another 4yr old, and ended up buying another 4yr old!! However, I've had years playing with difficult horses and a wide variety of "Nicer" horses so kinda knew how I wanted my "blank canvas" to turn out.... obviously, it also depends on the 4yr old, as some will be alot easier than others.

In short, there is no real answer, except make sure you have as much exposure to as many different types of horse before taking on a baby, so you can cover as much as possible of what "May" happen

 

[millitiger]

there isn't a set answer to this.

i got a 17hh unbroken 3yro as my second horse when i was 15. i broke her myself with the help of a book called 'the ABC of breaking' and my mum held her for me when i first got on.

lotti turned out to be the most beautifully tempered, easy and willing horse to ride- i won't take the credit for it as she was a lovely mare anyway but i certainly didn't wreck her!

she was the first real youngster i had ever worked with- my first pony was a toad who reared a lot but wasn't a youngster and i had never even seen a horse being broken before let alone involved.

as long as you are patient and logical and not afraid to ask for help when needed i don't think it is necessary to have years of experience with youngsters before getting your own.

 

[Silverspring]

Honestly I think if you have to ask if you are ready then you are not ready.

When it comes to backing you never quite know what a young horse will be like, some take to it like ducks to water others can take months to convince that it's a good idea. You can't really tell based on breed or attitiude, I' back some very chilled out horse's that turned into monsters at the though of work then backed some utter monster on the ground who happily started hacking out within 2 weeks of being sat on.

It's a big risk and can so easily end in tears or even worse injury. Why not get something that's newly backed to bring on, then the risky bit is done and you still have a pretty blank canvas to work on?

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

As others have said there is no set answer. I think it helps if you have some experience riding 'difficult' horses as you have an idea of the sort of things that might be thrown at you and how to cope.

If you have a choice for 'first youngster' I would aim for something that is fairly laid back as opposed to sharp. You are more likely to get away stuff if you dont get it quite right first time. Rather than being unceremoniously (spell?) dumped on the spot =)
Also don't underestimate the usefullness of a book on breaking /working with youngsters (find one that sounds logical / nice to you).

Good luck! Of course if you run into trouble the combined (& confusing) wisdom of HHO is at your service.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Do it if you want but make sure you have someone in the wings who has done it a number of times. And choose breed and individual very carefully. I wanted a Highland (Im in NE Scotland) but instead chose a Haflinger as it was my first youngster to back and I worried the strength of a Highland might be too much if they had some moments! Even then it was only the individual that made the difference, sooooo friendly and positive - three years later she is my horse of a lifetime!