How hard is it for an experienced rider to break a horse in?

How long is a piece of string!

Knowledge and confidence are key, especially when it comes to reading the horse in front of you.
 
I think if you're confident, reasonably experienced and happy to take a step back or ask for help when required then the actual backing is usually fairly straight-forwards. IMO it's producing the young horse well that is the difficult bit, so I suppose it depends on what you're asking!
 
Backing isn't tricky, as long as you know what you are doing and your horse is reasonably straightforward. However even an experienced rider, if they haven't backed a horse before, is inexperienced in this field, so would always recommend at least having someone work with you to teach you how to do it properly. It's an easy thing to do when you know what to do, but if messed up can set the horse right back...
 
Depends on the horse... and the rider...

What one person thinks is experienced, another would class as intermediate, or even perhaps a novice
 
Just because you're an experienced rider doesn't mean you are experienced when it come to backing a horse and also bringing it on. I've seen many an experienced rider thinking they can swagger in and back a horse like they have been doing it all their lives promptly getting landed on their backside ;)

I've also seen people who are completely out of their depth but are too proud to ask for help, subsequently setting the horse right back and leaving it with all sorts of problems, nervous of people, certain situations etc that the experienced rider failed to address correctly when they should have.

Not recommended unless you really know what you are doing!
 
My 4 yr old filly was pretty much unhandled when I got her. I did 5 weeks of daily inhand groundwork with her getting to the point of her accepting tack and long reining well. She then went to a trainer for 5 weeks for backing and basic schooling. She enjoyed her first few hacks also and was at the point of being ready to do a basic dressage test by the time she was finished there.

I like to see youngsters taken slowly and calmly. The actual backing is the easy bit, it's all the other desenstizing and schooling that takes the time and patience.
 
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I think there is a world of difference between an experienced rider and someone who is experienced in backing horses. A person who backs and brings on youngsters for a living will have come across a whole host of scenarios and will know how to deal with them. IMO it is a job for a professional, or at least have plenty of pro help along the way. Backing and producing a horse is a huge responsibility, you owe it to the horse to do it right.
 
im a novice breaking in horses...never done it until this one...

in 3 weeks i got a not very handled pony leading/wearing tack/roller etc... and bitted.

fast forward a year she has done bits off and on no regular work - so decided one day to just get on - as you do.... she was fine :)


for me i have done everything really spaced out - ive no need to rush her - she will now walk on with tack on - i decided im happy with that and turned her away over winter - spring will be intensive for her btu i cant see any issues as she trusts me 100%


if i get stuck i will ask for help...dosent mean i will listen - just form my own opinion and try what works for my mare as i know her well enough now :)
 
I've backed a fair few horses with no issues, but would not say I am experienced, I just take my time and don't rush the horse. It also depends on how the horse has been brought up prior to backing, ime the more positive experiences they've had the easier they are to back
 
buddylove said:
I think there is a world of difference between an experienced rider and someone who is experienced in backing horses. A person who backs and brings on youngsters for a living will have come across a whole host of scenarios and will know how to deal with them. IMO it is a job for a professional, or at least have plenty of pro help along the way. Backing and producing a horse is a huge responsibility, you owe it to the horse to do it right.
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Well said. I've been riding 16 years, ridden a whole variety, from babies to little *****s, but I'd never take on something to break in myself. I just don't think I have the patience- I want things done then and there. If I ever did do it, I'd be having a hell of a lot of lessons! I'd class myself as an experienced intermediate, if that makes sense- if I classed myself as experienced then I'd look a total fool compared to a lot of the people on this forum!
 
Time & patience, but it is great fun ! but hard work you need to be dedicated and it does pay off with the end result ! oh and a few tears and why am I doing this exactly ! type moments LOL
 
How long is a piece of string .
When I worked on a yard backing horses the average time we had well handled youngsters was six weeks most would be cantering and hacking gently happily by then .
But really it's best to see backing as a part of a long progression of training that lasts years .
 
I have broken in my last four horses. I would not say I was particularly experienced but I took it slowly, had lots of help from my very calm and patient husband and knew the horses well enough to know when to stop( had them all as two year olds) I also knew when they were taking the p**s and was brave enough to push them at this point. I am proud that they are all lovely well balanced mares who are a joy to own.
 
dianchi said:
Knowledge and confidence are key, especially when it comes to reading the horse in front of you.
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Yes I agree, I think confidence and calm are massively important. I am not an expert, been riding about 24 years now, I find it hard to gauge my riding ability, but suppose I am a competent rider.
I have backed horses,mostly when I was younger though,then backed my current mare,I did about a years worth of groundwork,took it all slowly as I was not as confident as I was(plus she was approx 6 months younger than sold!), slowly helped both our confidence levels build I think, now we are happily hacking alone almost 2 years later,I did think I had bitten off more than I wanted to chew a short while in (was also emotional after the loss of my beloved mare), but patience and taking lots of time made it a different story. So, it depends.... it depends on you, the horse,confidence, etc Had I struggled too much I was always going to pay some one else to do it had I not felt up to it,time went by and trust built between us,and that trust again I think is key....
 
Depends on different factors. youngsters pre backing back ground. how have they been handled. what are thier life experiences. how does thier brain work. every horse is different and that is major key :)
 
Not hard if you have the appropriate training. I was incredibly lucky to be apprenticed to a very old and experienced nagsman when I was a teenager (MAAAANY years ago....); I benefited from the sum of generations of knowledge and lore handed down from one horseman to the next. Knowing how to read a horse was the next hardest thing, and only hands on experience will really teach you that. But working hand in hand with a knowledgeable mentor is the only way to absolutely get it right, anything else is luck really.
 
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