It's time.. where to start with breaking in?

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bambigirl

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MY sec d x has turned 3, the plan is to get him backed and turned away to bring back in the winter.. So i need a starting point i havent done this for over 17 yrs and i want to get it right witout the expense of having him professionally done :) can any one give me a few pointers to get him off on the right track :D

X
 
start with the basics and take it slow and steady making absolutely certain he understands what you are asking of him before taking it up a step.
 
bambigirl said:
MY sec d x has turned 3, the plan is to get him backed and turned away to bring back in the winter.. So i need a starting point i havent done this for over 17 yrs and i want to get it right witout the expense of having him professionally done :) can any one give me a few pointers to get him off on the right track :D
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No-one can learn to back a horse from a forum - or even from a book! Sec.D's are about the most common of the 'problem' horses I get here for re-starting after owners (or other trainers!) have made a mess of the job - they have that bit of 'attitude' that can lead to all sorts of problems! I would suggest that a Sec. D. is perhaps the WORST breed to learn to back on - your neck and his future are worth rather more than 4-6 weeks with a good trainer!
 
If you are asking on here how do go about it, I really would question whether you are the right person to start this horse's education. Do you have an instructor who could go through some things with you? I think it would be well worth the money for you to send your horse away for backing etc. If you don't know what you're doing, things can go very wrong indeed, which wouldn't be good for either of you.
 
Treat him as an individual, don't think that he will act up just because of his breed. I 'backed' my welsh cob myself, as a child, with the help of friends on my yard. The only problem that ever cropped up was cantering, which was my fault, not his. he was fantastic, never paid any notice to being backed and took it all in his stride :D

Has he had all the groundwork done?
 
I would do LOADS of groundwork before you get on.

In fact, don't even think about getting on and turning away until the winter.

Do the groundwork, get the respect... and you'll know when he is ready (rather than let the age dictate).
 
My boy is 3 this month, and my aim is to hack him out a handful of times before the end of summer and then turn him out (or rather not do anything with him....he comes in every night!) for the winter.

I have never done it before.... :-)

I am, however, taking guidance from a local instructor every fortnight, and then coming home to do our 'homework'.

So far, we have walked him round to get him used to voice commands, using one person on each side to ensure the 'stand' command is obeyed!

Next, I moved to a more central position with a helper outside him to make sure he stays on the circle whilst I was in a 'lunging' position, still using the 'stand' and 'walk on' commands.

We have then moved on to longreining him on a circle, changing rein and with me behind him, making sure that he is 'forward thinking' the whole time.

.....thats where we are at so far!!! He seems to remember what he has learnt very well, and I only work with him for 15/20 mins 2 or 3 times a week.

He has been doing the work in a bridle with a roller.

I have found the guidance very helpful, more as confidence that I am not wrecking him, as I want him to be backed properly, but I want to be the one doing it.....

I am aware that many people would recommend sending him away to be backed (especially as he looks like a section d cross!), but I will never learn unless I start somewhere......Personally, I think a lot of it is common sense. I have had horses for nearly 20 years and even though I have never backed one, I feel confident that I will do it, possibly in a slower, gentler way than if I were to send him away for 6 weeks.
 
Maisy said:
I am aware that many people would recommend sending him away to be backed (especially as he looks like a section d cross!), but I will never learn unless I start somewhere......Personally, I think a lot of it is common sense. I have had horses for nearly 20 years and even though I have never backed one, I feel confident that I will do it, possibly in a slower, gentler way than if I were to send him away for 6 weeks.
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:D Agree.
I am backing (with a yard full of experiace and a fab instructor) my 2yo WB* TB when he is four ish (give or take) I cant wait. I think the fact you are asking for advice shows your dedication !!!

Good luck keep us informed!!! :)
 
THanks guy's hes extremley well handled iv had him since he was 11moths old u can swing off his back legs ( i dnt reccomend it tho :D ) but hes very laid back i put a bridle on him in th stable yesterday for ten mins he didnt bat an eyelid just carried on munching his hay!!

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that was last summer
 
Awww. he looks ace! Sounds like you're doing the right sort of things. get the ground work right 100% before you do more. He's clearly used to you being 'above him' if you can be with him while he's lying down!! keep on with that sort of stuff and he'll be awesome i'm sure.
 
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