Information on professional backing for pony

[nat_163]

Hey all,

New to this so bear with me! Just taken on 2 gorgeous ponies, one who is 4 years old 13.2 new forest stallion and one 13.0 2.5 year old new forest gelding. Both stunning and have so much potential but i am too large to back them myself! Handling them every day etc, lunged 4 yr old for the first time a couple weeks back and was a handful but tell he wanted to please! They are slowly getting used to human beings coming near them everyday. So pleased with slow and steady progress and wont mind if it took me 3 years to back the 4 yr old!

But wanted to get some information on perhaps getting 4yr old sent away to be backed prefessionally. How much would this cost me rouphly? and where could i get this done...how long would it take etc! Need general idea... He is such a lovely boy and i don't wanna tarnish him as he has lots of potential!

Thanks
Nat x

 

[Kokopelli]

I know a few people who have sent horses away for backing, its around £100- £200 a week depending on where you send the horse.
Its a shame I'm not closer to you as I have much expereince backing ponies as I'm 5ft including some that have now got very sucesful show careers!

Have you tried asking around, or do you know any short people who could do it for you? This may be a better option as you could keep him at your yard and keep an eye on everything going on (probably be cheaper aswell as I back everything for free unless it comes to my yard then I charge livery costs)

But its all depends on the horse on how long it takes and if you wish to turn him away and bring him back into work in 6 months or something. I find ponies take a lot less time then horses though

Sorry for the ramble!

 

[nat_163]

ramble much appreciated! i have always had horses and ponies already backed lol, kinda forget to appreciate what work needs to go into them before you get the good stuff out of them! Im considering it as im 5ft5 and weigh 10 stone, sparkes the 4 yo is a nice build so may do loads of ground work with him then attempt to sit on him when i feel he is ready (and me of course!!) i dont mid paying costs as like i said before, i would rather that than ruin him as i can be quite nervous and dont want him to be affected by that! i wil ask around, dont want to do it just off of google, want something word of mouth which is why i thought this forum would be a good idea! he is my baby and dont want him going just anywhere! thanks for quick reply! much appreciated!

Nat x

 

[Kokopelli]

As he is 4 which is a good age to back he will have slightly more muscle so he may be alright with you backing him. If your still worried you could do all the groundwork, get him completly ready for backing then get someone little to do the easy bit If you ask around other livery yards etc you will probably find someone lovey to do it.

Keep us updated on how he gets on

 

[mystiandsunny]

Just be careful who he goes to - obv needs to be a small rider, but also able to handle him and not to create any issues for you. One I got this year (13.2hh then - 14hh now lol) who'd been backed by a pro last year before being turned away for the winter, had been frightened in the trailer by them, and was frightened of having the bit taken out of her mouth. In addition to that, it apparently cost £950 and took 9 weeks!!!! When I got on her she was confused about pressure-release to start with, but I was walk, trot and cantering in two days, and although she'll argue about new things, she's not exactly difficult! Pony came from Oxon so must have been someone in that area.

I like to do mine myself, so can't recommend anyone (do you think there'd ever be a market for backing/schooling ponies as a career? I'd love to do that one day lol!), but if you decide to do it yourself and need a hand I'm prob nearish you to help (about 40min from Reading), and am a school teacher for my 'day job' so around over the summer .

 

[natalia]

I take ponies for backing from 11hh upwards, we are in Surrey and charge from £100 a week to about £150, depending on if they live in or out. Can't be too bad as always have about 4 in for breaking and schooling at a time!

 

[nat_163]

Thanks for information everyone, i have decided (with the help of my sister) to break him in myself (wish me luck!!) Had a few people say that i will be ok to get on him myself so will see how that goes, if not there is one lady i know who is tiny that will get on him. mystiandsunny, you will probably be hearing from me in the near future!