How much for 3.5 yr old?

[irishdraft]

Crikey, doesn’t anyone leave young horses now until 3.5 yrs plus before they’re backed? He’s just 3.5 yes old, was 3 in feb and still a little Bum high, He came over from Ireland in feb and has just been in a field since with a girl we know ( 100%) aside from doing some slow gentle ground work. But I’ll bow down to your greater experience and pass on him I think due to the high levels of suspicion around him being backed before he came over.

Some Irish do leave them un backed, I have bought unbacked mares 4 & 5 year olds in the past, one from goresbridge & one from a local dealer. Everyone said same thing that they would have been tried but actually neither had been and both were very easy to back.

 

[MissMay]

irish here.
Yes we do tend to back the summer they turn 3. Get basics done and turn away. Bring back then depending on horse and how they grow about 3.5 or so ride for a bit and turn away then end of summer for second spell of growing. You add a few grand to the price and they ship easily to England where riding away is better than unbroken.

I would definitely not touch something that would cost her nothing to back if he is in the field etc as it makes no financial sense to keep unbacked sell for less. She is either to scared to as has seen something that makes her doubt or this horse is a failed backer

 

[I'm Dun]

Crikey, doesn’t anyone leave young horses now until 3.5 yrs plus before they’re backed? He’s just 3.5 yes old, was 3 in feb and still a little Bum high, He came over from Ireland in feb and has just been in a field since with a girl we know ( 100%) aside from doing some slow gentle ground work. But I’ll bow down to your greater experience and pass on him I think due to the high levels of suspicion around him being backed before he came over.

Not only everything thats been said, but its going to be 2.5yrs before hes an established fun horse. 2.5yrs is a very long time for a teenager to be faffing about with a youngster when her friends are out cantering down bridleways and going to shows etc etc. Bringing on young horses is boring. It takes ages, it always goes a bit wrong and theres always an issue to overcome. Its a nice thing to do for a mad keen competitive teen alongside an older established horse, but as a sole shared horse to be produced as an all rounder its a terrible idea.

Youve made the right choice on so many levels!

 

[sollimum]

So sorry I didn't mean to rail road this thread with tales of woe.

If you really love him, then you just need to do some deep digging for his history.

However, it is a very long road to produce a horse, so it sounds like you have made the right decision if you have decided to go for a more experienced horse.