Late Backing??

N

Northhorse

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North Scotland
www.shetlandcommunities.org
We have a 15hh Welsh x Gelding who as yet is unbacked - basically 'cos we have no time and no rider for him.
Super horse and will be a cracker, but we are arguing over our options.

Should we sell him on to a good home??? - (not keen as we stand to make a bit of money on him once going well.)

Send him for backing and bring him on from there?? (Could be expensive)

Or, would it hurt to leave him for another year - he will get daily handling, rugged etc - does anyone have any opinions on backing older horses??

Anyone have any other ideas!!!
 
How old is he? A few years ago I backed a 16 year old brood mare who is now enjoying a new life as a riding pony so it's never too late!

I personally think it's better to back them at 3 or 4 when they are young and receptive. I know someone who has tried to back horses which have been left until they're 5 and 6 and some have been very difficult as they have become set in their ways. One horse which was left until it was 7 has been impossible, but this one wasn't handled very much and was almost feral!

Good luck in whatever you decide. It's difficult when you've little time and no rider.
 
Personally, I wouldn't buy one that has been backed late. I bought my horse as a 6 year old who had really only been worked for 1 year. He had been out of work for the year before I bought him as we are convinced he terrified the owner. He was very arsey and set in his ways. He is 11 now and fabulous, but it took a lot of work and nerve to get him there.
 
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Sorry - He's 5 this Summer - do you think would anyone would want to take him on loan and play with him?? He lovely, we just dont have the time!

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What would they get out of it? They do all the work and then potentially have to give the horse back, unless you determine a sale price to them based on the value of the horse now - but if you were going to do that you might as well just sell him
 
Mine was 5 when backed then didn't properly start work until he was 8. I'd say it could be difficult depending on the personality of the horse, he found it quite hard to adapt to doing work having been in a field for 3 years while I was at uni but once he got the hang of it he was brilliant and loves working. I think it depends on the personality of the horse, I'd had him since he was born so had always handled him and this made everything a lot easier, he just took it all in his stride. One question though.. will you have time in a year?
 
To be honest - proably not! it's such a shame, we think the previous owner (who bred him) did'nt know where to start. We felt obliged to give him a start and now he's lunging with tack & side reins in an outline, showing a good attitude to work, been shod, boxed and he's even had a dummy on him!!

I'd hate to sell him, but it probably would be the sensible option. He's very much "surplus to requirements" I hate the hassle of selling and finding new homes!!!
 
Well, you are the total opposite end of the country from me but I would love the opportunity to have a horse on loan to back, and I think there are definatly people out there who don't see it as making a horse more valuable for someone else, but a chance to gain some real experience and achieve something. Maybe worth a try!
 
there is also the problem of loaning him to someone totally unsuitable who will wreck him and then hand him back!

sell him now, i think they get harder to back as they get older (in general) and he will be even less sellable next year as an unbroken 6yro
 
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