If You Can't Be Bothered To Wait For Your Youngster To Mature..

[wits end]

I have my babies out eventing when they're four, with the hope that they will become serious athletes, if they show the enthusiasm and aptitude. Yes, this does mean backing and jumping aged 3, no I am not ashamed that this is how I choose to do things.

For what it's worth, the eventer that I own (but gave up the ride on since he's far more talented than I am!) was backed by his then owner aged 2, was competing FEI CCI* by the time he was 7. The only injury he's ever had (he's 14 now) was done in the field last year, and the vet commented on the x-rays that he has minimal changes for a horse of his age

 

[Fairynuff]

I have my babies out eventing when they're four, with the hope that they will become serious athletes, if they show the enthusiasm and aptitude. Yes, this does mean backing and jumping aged 3, no I am not ashamed that this is how I choose to do things.

For what it's worth, the eventer that I own (but gave up the ride on since he's far more talented than I am!) was backed aged 2, was competing FEI CCI* by the time he was 7. The only injury he's ever had (he's 14 now) was done in the field last year, and the vet commented on the x-rays that he has minimal changes for a horse of his age

Nice to see someone who doesn't 'type' with the crowd!

 

[amandap]

you will not convince me that riding a horse so young is a good idea.

This! No one will change my mind on this subject.

 

[Miss L Toe]

I have my babies out eventing when they're four, with the hope that they will become serious athletes, if they show the enthusiasm and aptitude. Yes, this does mean backing and jumping aged 3, no I am not ashamed that this is how I choose to do things.

For what it's worth, the eventer that I own (but gave up the ride on since he's far more talented than I am!) was backed aged 2, was competing FEI CCI* by the time he was 7. The only injury he's ever had (he's 14 now) was done in the field last year, and the vet commented on the x-rays that he has minimal changes for a horse of his age

There is a difference between forcing youngsters and bringing on youngsters, by which I mean that a lot of hard work and experience is needed to "do the job properly" Individual horses vary a lot, mentally and physically, not all youngsters are precocious enough to event at four, and also have a proper training and conditioning program to allow them to develop without injury and with confidence.

 

[mrsjcmking]

I would say it seriously depends on the horse.

I have a youngster he is now 3 1/2 and i've sent him away to be professionally backed. After this he will be going out on loan where I have specified no jumping until July next year, and then only up to 2ft, then he can be brought on to bigger jumps summer 2014.

I was unsure of backing him this early but unfortunately t was him that decided it in the end. I have been lunging, free schooling and longreining him as well as walking out in-hand on roads etc in bits and pieces for the past year because quite frankly he needed it. He has a lot of brain power and if you don't work him he gets naughty, he jumps out of his fields, he gets aggressive and just generally plays up. I'm not saying that this is true of all horses but in the case of mine it is.

If he is worked regularly he is the perfect pony, he is loving and sweet and calm, he loves being groomed and enjoys his work (he likes to jump imaginary fences every now and then in the school!), he's excellent with kids and is a dream horse.

If he isn't worked regularly he gets nasty, he bites, he kicks, he wont stand still and hes dangerous. I've been ill for the past few weeks, and as a CFS sufferer its really knocked me back. In those few weeks he got so dangerous my husband had to come down to the yard with me and basically supervise us. It is one of the reasons I am loaning him, because my illness is so unpredictable he has now just got to much for me - I just dont have the strength to keep on top of him.

He's a baby but he needs someone to dominate him (not abuse him!) and he needs his brain working regularly. He has been at his training yard for a week and the lady who is backing him has said he settled straight away, he is being worked 6 days a week and is doing really well. I'm not saying he should be hunting, competiing etc, but I see no problem with backing him this year. and then bringing him on next year.

But as to other posts - I wouldn't dream of backing a 2yr old, my little man was far too immature at that age to be ridden. A lady at a previous yard had her young children riding a barely 2 yr old shetland pony - she had basically just plonked her kids on it (never had a rider on it) and off they go..,Parents like that should be shot!