How quick to back?

[moocow]

My boy is being broken at the moment and mcuh to the YO delight i am sure, i have decided to interfere!

A fair bit of work has been down with my boy before arriving - a lot of loose lunging, lunged with roller. He has only been at work with YO for a week and they said he was going really well so had started to long rein. i was there when they started and basically for day one they just lunged him on two reins. No prob there.

its just they decided to start backing him 2 days later. my boy didn't like it one bit. i don't think he was ready. I thought it was very quick. i have asked them to slow down and do more long reining with him and handling with him. intend asking them to start backing again in about 2 weeks.

Just wondering what peoples oppinions are. I am no expert in the matter but i have talked to a friend of mine who breaks horses and she agrees with me and said i should go with gut instinct!

Edit to add, this YO is very much an expert and breaks competion horses ssome of which have gone to compete in the US. he does know what he is doing!

Any thoughts? AM I being over protective?

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

You know your boy better than them. Some horses take longer than others, and they arent all factory made breakers if you know what i mean. Go with your gutt instinct. If he needs longer, take longer. Nothing positive can ever come from rushing a horse.

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
YO is very much an expert and breaks competion horses ssome of which have gone to compete in the US. he does know what he is doing!

[/ QUOTE ]
Let him get on with it then - he really won't appreciate your interference. However, if you don't trust his judgement you should stop now, and find someone else to start your horse.

 

[Bossanova]

From day one we start to get them used to having us jump up and down and start to put some pressure on the back at the end of a lunging/long-reining session.
how has he taken to the saddle?

 

[MillionDollar]

I don't think you're being over protective you just want whats best for your horse.

All horses are different and so take a different amount of time. In this case i think they do need to slow down if he didn't like being backed at all and get him relaxed with just the tack for starters.

The pony i've just backed has taken a while probably about 8 weeks, but when he was broken to harness it took just 4 weeks. My NF took 2 days to back by my best friend- 1st day put tack on, 2nd- off they went. And then it took me just 3 days to break her into harness and shes a superstar at everything. So it just depends really.

 

[burtie]

Either take a step back and let them get on with it or take your horse elsewhere. You have siad they are experienced, that is what you are paying for.

My 3 year old has very good manners lunges very well and responds to the voice and has wears a saddle when he lunges. I have always backed my own horses in the past and intended to back him, however my current situation means this is not possible. He will go to somebody I hope will do a good job and I will tell them no need to hurry, but otherwise leave them completely alone. It will be hard but backing needs consistent handling, not some owner interfering every 5 minutes!

 

[_jetset_]

I think sometimes you have to just leave them to it... after all, like you said, they are experienced and should be able to judge how much should be done from your horse's reactions.

But saying this, if you are at all unsure about this person then I would bring him home now and start looking for someone else. Even though he trains a lot of comp horses, he may not be right for your horse.

A friend of mine has just sent her 3 year old to be backed with my instructor (who I will be sending Hannah's foal to if we ever get to that stage) and she was a little like you and worried about what they were doing. But I asked her whether she trusted her and she said she did, completely and has since just left her to it.

 

[moocow]

very happy with the yard and the work they are doing with him. he took to the saddle really well and the YO said that they only do things at the horses own pace. up until now, i have let theym do what they think best but i just thought it was a bit quick thats all. they are great in the yard and specialise in youngsters. they were also really nice about me saying anything to them. i did say at the time that i know they are the experts.

He is such a good boy and i think just cos his temp is so good he accepts more than he is really ready for and i was worried about the pressure getting too much for him and refusing to go further cos he was a bit rushed.

I know they know their horses really well and they are so good with handling them. Just love my boy and hate to see him stressed out.

wondering now should I stick to my guns or have a word with the YO this evening and just say you do what you think is best for the lad.

 

[vicijp]

I would stick to your guns.
Most of horses I break are generally unhandled. From nothing, to backing, the quickest has taken me 10 days. The longest took me 6 months, avereage is 3/4 weeks.
If a horse plays up at all it isnt ready. If they 'arent happy with it' you should go back a step.

 

[_jetset_]

Now I know you are completely happy with where he is etc (it can be hard sometimes to give advice when you don't know the situation) I would definitely advise for you to perhaps just phone them today and air your concerns. It will put your mind at ease and by not being there visiting, it also keeps you a bit detached from the situation. After all, he is your horse and if you want to query something you have every right to.

Hope you are happy whatever you choose to do!

 

[Fiona]

When I bought my mare as a 3yo she had been well handled and lunged etc, but it still took two months before I actually sat on her. Used this time to re-establish lunging, added roller, then saddle, then bit, then leaning over her etc. We weren't in any rush though, as were doing it ourselves. She was only lunged about 3 times a week, and I worked with her in her stable on other nights.
Good luck!
Fiona

 

[moocow]

thanks everyone for the advise. Its my first time owning a youngster and its really important that i do things right but also build a good relationship with the yard cos they are advising me on every step as i go along.....

they have some other horses in the yard that they are breaking as well and they were all in sync until they started backing my boy cos they said the other horses werent ready but he was. so i know they go at different paces just depending on the horse.

I may just be an over protective new mum!!!! i don't think not backing him for 2 weeks will do any harm anyway..... thanks for the tips! will keep you posted....

 

[JaneMBE]

My lil Phantom is riding out nicely now, it took 3 weeks in all to break/back.
Had sim since yearling, did a lot of in hand stuff and showing him things then left him for a year. My breaker came in for 5 days a week, 3 weeks. 1st week, lungeing. Second week he long lined, and at the end of the week, hopped on him, 3rd week hacked him about.
My daughter (11) rides him out once a week just now and he is brilliant (typical Arab though!)
I guess it depends on the horse on how quick they can learn.