Pictures Lessons begin

Abi90

Abi90

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Lessons begin for young Percy. I’m leaving him until he is 4 next year for him to be backed. He looked so scrawny in April and still very much a baby.

He’s had a bridle on (no fuss), worn a roller, been leant all over from a mounting block (didn’t bat an eyelid when he knocked me off the block with his head) and walked over a manner of objects including a water tray. He also goes in trailers and has been in the wash box many times.

I have friends with 3 year olds that have sat on them this year. And I feel a bit guilty that I haven’t done enough with him but I want him to last and also I haven’t had the time with stuff in my personal life.

I have learned that he likes a cuddle, is definitely not sharp and can be quite stubborn.

I apologise for his fatness, he’s done growing up for now and is growing out!IMG_1887.jpegIMG_1876.jpeg711b7cbc-38c0-4e20-98a8-105be17e044e.jpeg421e0180-de6a-4149-a207-59a7b7518cd1.jpeg5679c7ab-c2ff-44e2-9e37-4dd41bdb00a0.jpeg
 
Landcruiser said:
Sounds like you've done plenty with him. Lots of people wait until 5 to sit on them. He's a handsome chap :)
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Thanks. That was my initial thinking. Then all these foals from the same year were appearing with people sat on them! My plan next year is just to do lots of hacking over the summer and let him see the world
 
I’m waiting til 5 with the one I bought as a yearling and specifically bought an unbacked 5yo as my second horse. It drives me a bit mad that tradition has us feeling like we are behind for choosing to wait. Admittedly my 4yo Connemara is behind in his general life experiences because of his health issues (no point asking a horse with gut pain to go out and see the world, it’s just asking for trouble) and the Arab hasn’t done a whole lot as owner was too busy. But both have excellent manners and are great to handle, so haven’t been spoiled either.
 
Trouper said:
So glad you're taking your time with him - wish more people would. He looks a total sweetheart.
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He is a very good boy but he’s had consistency from the start, as well as being allowed to be a baby with other babies when most of the time. Plus both his parents have very good natures and the Sire particularly is very laid back. His Mum is quite spooky.
 
BBP said:
I’m waiting til 5 with the one I bought as a yearling and specifically bought an unbacked 5yo as my second horse. It drives me a bit mad that tradition has us feeling like we are behind for choosing to wait. Admittedly my 4yo Connemara is behind in his general life experiences because of his health issues (no point asking a horse with gut pain to go out and see the world, it’s just asking for trouble) and the Arab hasn’t done a whole lot as owner was too busy. But both have excellent manners and are great to handle, so haven’t been spoiled either.
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To be honest, I hadn’t expected to see other 3 year olds doing more. They aren’t doing a lot, just sat on and pootling round outside the school but I had felt a bit guilty. Although he’s so laid back I could probably just hop on and go, I want to keep him chilled out and assuming that humans mean positive and fun experiences
 
Barton Bounty said:
He looks absolutely stunning, and thats all I have done with Orbi, lots of hacking and see the world. Actually makes them so much more chilled. We haven’t actually ridden in company yet 🤣
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Yep that’s the plan for next year, hack everywhere. Put him in the trailer and hack somewhere else. His Mum will be at the same yard with her loaner so she’s on standby for babysitting duty.

I can’t wait to just hack and not bother with anything else
 
southerncomfort said:
I think most people are coming round to the idea that waiting until 4 or 5 to back them is better for them in the long run, plus it gives you more time to prepare him for ridden life.

Honestly , I think you're doing a great job and should be very proud of how he is maturing.
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Thank you so much. I worked with babies on a stud but he’s my first homebred and first I will have done from start to finish. Although the youngstock livery he is at is superb
 
I backed mine at 4. He soon showed me how vastly unready he was. It was a painful lesson for me.
So I left it for another year, and we played around with spooky objects etc. until his brain had caught up with his body. At 5 he was much more grown up. He lived to be 22 years old and was as sound on the day he died as he was when I got him. Waiting until they are 5/6 is no bad thing IMO.
 
Abi90 said:
Yep that’s the plan for next year, hack everywhere. Put him in the trailer and hack somewhere else. His Mum will be at the same yard with her loaner so she’s on standby for babysitting duty.

I can’t wait to just hack and not bother with anything else
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Its an amazing feeling, we haven’t ventured out to ride in the trailer yet, just been in hand getting him used to it.
 
he's lovely! what's his breeding? I bought a pure ID from the Indigo stud at 3 and he wasn't backed until half way through his 4th year but like you, I did some in hand stuff and lots of desensitizing. His breeder, Janet George always said that the longer you leave them at the beginning, the longer you'll have them at the end.
 
QuantockHills said:
he's lovely! what's his breeding? I bought a pure ID from the Indigo stud at 3 and he wasn't backed until half way through his 4th year but like you, I did some in hand stuff and lots of desensitizing. His breeder, Janet George always said that the longer you leave them at the beginning, the longer you'll have them at the end.
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He’s out of my bay ID mare who is Huntingfield Rebel and Ginger Dick lines and his Sire is Challenge who is a KWPN showjumper.

The irish blood is definitely strong in this one!
 
I backed at 3yrs 9 months, as that is predominantly because I lost my job and was on garden leave for 3.5 months so it felt the obvious thing to do to make the most of actually having the time in the day, plus he was mature enough looking to be able to cope. I took my time with it and probably took 3 weeks to get him walking and trotting a lap around the school without someone on the ground. We then did a couple weeks of wandering around the local hacking and then I left him until he was properly 4 - even now we do very little other than hack and he often has a week off here and there. I really don't think that leaving them is a bad thing, and even Dex was started slightly earlier than I wanted to. I have decided he won't jump in any way, shape or form until he is solidly 5, maybe 6. Longevity is such a pressure when you have a baby! I have seen the 4yo eventing classes at Burghley even and wonder if I have missed something, but you just have to remember that just because they are, doesn't mean it's right!!

Your boy looks fabulous, and what a great start he is having! I look forward to following your journey with him.
 
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