How long would you send horse away for breaking/bringing on

[Carrots&Mints]

Just a quick question as Im sort of getting to the position where Im thinking of sending my boy to be broken and bringing on, the reason I say bringing on is that when hes being sent away, hopefully I will have had someone sat on him and riding away in walk and trot (fingers crossed). I was thinking about 4 or 5 weeks ish???, hes already lunging nicely and Im going to crack on long lining him next week. Hes had the saddle on and had someone sat on him, just needs everything nitting together lol

 

[BethanT]

How long is a piece of string??? It totally depends on the horse and how much of an education you want him to have. Did you want him ridden away to just walk trot and canter? Or with some degree of schooling? Hacking on his own? Popping a small fence etc. all of it needs to be taken into consideration. But be prepared for him to be away longer than you planned. You can never guess the length of time to break and bring on a horse, and a good trainer will not take advantage of you and won't give unrealistic time frames.

Also just because you have done some work the trainer may want to go back to basics to ensure it has been done how they would and to make sure what has been said has been done (I once had someone tell me they had lunged and sat on a pony for it to totally freak when the saddle was put on and lunged)

 

[Goldenstar]

I does depend I used to do mine until they where backed and being ridden on the lunge they then went away for six weeks and came home hacking out in company and alone .
When I was on a yard that did a lot do starting horses usually came in for six or eight weeks some took longer normally the spoilt indulged homebred ones .

 

[ElliePippa]

I sent my three year old for 6 weeks. She was a very quick learner but they mainly focused on getting her hacking out confidently, but she was taught to walk/trot/canter too.

 

[Char0901]

My YO was telling me about who they send their horses for when the time comes for my boy. (He's 15 months... Nothing like planning ahead! Haha)
He said they usually go to this particular chap for about 3 weeks on average. They do all the basics themselves, introducing tack, long reigning, leaning over, maybe sitting on etc. They are then sent away, exactly as you say to have everything knitted together. He said they come back walk, trot and cantering, hacking, basic schooling and popping a small fence. Obviously all horses are different but he said they've had three come back like this after about 3 weeks away. All bred for Showjumping and all level headed horses.
When my lad goes I'd probably look for him to be away for 3/4 weeks. Certainly if he carries on the way he is at the minute. He's very laid back and he's the kind of horse when he's done something once he doesn't think twice about doing it again.
Depends on your horse but I'd say your time scale sounds reasonable.
Exciting times ay!

 

[NZJenny]

Mine is going away next month and she will be away for around a month. That could be four weeks or it could be six - she will come home when the trainer thinks she is ready. He rides them around the farm, but introducing her to the big, wide world will be my job when she comes home.

 

[rara007]

I prefer to do the ridden stuff myself but driving ponies I'd send up to about 250 miles away for the right person. Fortunately we're an hour or two from a lot of good people.

 

[Carrots&Mints]

Cheers guys! I think ill say for about 4 weeks and then if needs be he can go for more but hopefully not! And he shouldnt need to go back to basics as hes been taught correctly how to lunge etc.