Looking for someone to Back my horse in Hertfordshire

laurabaker

laurabaker

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Hi all!
Does anyone know of a service for the following situation.
I have a 16hh Warmblood who is a very kind horse but also very nervous. He is 6 years old and never had anyone on his back. He Lunges well, has worn tack etc but whenever a weight is put on or lent on him he double barrels and freaks out. He does not have a back problem, I think he has just been ruined in the past. I have not had him that long.
I am looking for someone to come and do the getting on, I dont need help with anything other than getting him to accept someone on his back.
I would do it but am pregnant so do not think its a good idea!! With regards to the schooling my sister is excellent but does not have the confidence to do Backing.
If you have any ideas please let me know!
Thanks :-)

You never know give it a couple of months and ill be updating saying he is going like a dream!! (One can hope!!)
 
if you cant find one readily to do it you could try the guy fawkes guy (stuffed dummy tied on the saddle which he can buck etc all he likes but it wont shift, so he gets used to it, ) approach to get him used to a shape looming above him but without the weight, to see if its the weight or the person leaning that is his issue. You could then weight the dummy very gradually more until it was person weight, and only then move to real crash test rider!

But if you can afford it, I would recommend contacting your local Intelligent Horsemanship practitioner tho ideally.
http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/content/view/47/97/#east If there isnt anything wrong with his back (was it checked?), then the backing moment itself should be very low risk with loads of preparation, leaning across etc. what concerns me a bit is that he wont even accept the prep work with leaning on him? It may be just the late age he's being broken but needs a lot of care. So would recommend getting an IH involved.

The other thought is getting him broken to harness and then move on to breaking to ride, the driving breaking wouldnt involve the weight of person on back but would give him lots of training to be obedient and voice commands etc.
 
It would be worth PM'ing JanetGeorge on here. She isn't near you (Shropshire/Worcestershire area, I think) but she has re-backed alot of 'problem' horses with great results. Even if you don't send your horse to her, she might be able to help you find someone closer to you. :)
 
laurabaker said:
Hi all!
Does anyone know of a service for the following situation.
I have a 16hh Warmblood who is a very kind horse but also very nervous. He is 6 years old and never had anyone on his back.
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This is the sort of phone call I get that ring's big alarm bell's did you get him cheap as I think you may need to invest in his future with the right help not from dummies.
 
He Lunges well, has worn tack etc but whenever a weight is put on or lent on him he double barrels and freaks out. He does not have a back problem, I think he has just been ruined in the past. I have not had him that long.
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it is unlikley that he has not been tried
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I have to agree. It sounds like someone has tried to back him and it's gone horribly wrong. :(
 
Faracat said:
I have to agree. It sounds like someone has tried to back him and it's gone horribly wrong. :(
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I did say in my first post I think he has been ruined in the past, he does everything else to perfection its just the weight on his back. My experience tells me someone done everything as they should and then finally got on and fell off, this has obviously scared him and as he has been left untill now its lodged firmly in the brain. He is not a lost cause at all as like I said he is kind and does everthing but. Plus it will be a waste as he jumps like a Stag!!!
If I cant find someone I will just wait untill I have had the baby and by then he will trust me more and I can take it slow.
 
My experience tells me someone done everything as they should and then finally got on and fell off, this has obviously scared him and as he has been left untill now its lodged firmly in the brain. He is not a lost cause at all as like I said he is kind and does everthing but.
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I think that you are probably correct, the poor boy has had a terrible fright.

I would seriously consider sending him to JanetGeorge, even though she isn't close to you.
 
laurabaker said:
I did say in my first post I think he has been ruined in the past, he does everything else to perfection its just the weight on his back. My experience tells me someone done everything as they should and then finally got on and fell off, this has obviously scared him and as he has been left untill now its lodged firmly in the brain. He is not a lost cause at all as like I said he is kind and does everthing but. Plus it will be a waste as he jumps like a Stag!!!
If I cant find someone I will just wait untill I have had the baby and by then he will trust me more and I can take it slow.
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I don't think he is a lost cause I have seem 100's of horses with the same story usually this time of year, you just need to get the right help not go down the dummy road.
 
better half said:
I don't think he is a lost cause I have seem 100's of horses with the same story usually this time of year, you just need to get the right help not go down the dummy road.
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No im not going to use a dummy especially if im right and its someone falling off thats given him a fright. Im going to spend the next few months gaining trust and then when im not pregnant start him myself :-)
 
laurabaker said:
I did say in my first post I think he has been ruined in the past, he does everything else to perfection its just the weight on his back. My experience tells me someone done everything as they should and then finally got on and fell off, this has obviously scared him and as he has been left untill now its lodged firmly in the brain.
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It sounds far more than someone just falling off at the backing stage. He has real fear and that suggests that:

1. A vital step in the backing process was neglected - it may be something as simple as failing to ensure he had FULLY accepted the saddle and girth before the mounting process.

2. The mounting process was rushed - and muffed. The saddle may have slipped under him; the rider may have hurt him in an unsuccessful effort to stay on.

TBH, no professional rider would come to your yard to just do the 'getting on' bit - unless they fancy rodeo riding and a broken neck!

I personally wouldn't touch this horse unless I had the opportunity to work with him for at least 3-4 weeks - and it may take double that - re-doing and re-inforcing all the essential ground work and trying to ascertain where trust broke down. I get a lot of horses in where the owner (or another trainer) has tried - and failed - and in some cases the horses has been branded 'unbreakable'! I haven't yet had one that WAS unbreakable, but they are certainly FAR more difficult than a horse who hasn't been mucked around with.
 
JanetGeorge said:
It sounds far more than someone just falling off at the backing stage. He has real fear and that suggests that:

1. A vital step in the backing process was neglected - it may be something as simple as failing to ensure he had FULLY accepted the saddle and girth before the mounting process.

2. The mounting process was rushed - and muffed. The saddle may have slipped under him; the rider may have hurt him in an unsuccessful effort to stay on.

TBH, no professional rider would come to your yard to just do the 'getting on' bit - unless they fancy rodeo riding and a broken neck!

I personally wouldn't touch this horse unless I had the opportunity to work with him for at least 3-4 weeks - and it may take double that - re-doing and re-inforcing all the essential ground work and trying to ascertain where trust broke down. I get a lot of horses in where the owner (or another trainer) has tried - and failed - and in some cases the horses has been branded 'unbreakable'! I haven't yet had one that WAS unbreakable, but they are certainly FAR more difficult than a horse who hasn't been mucked around with.
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More the reason to do it myself. I dont think he has a MAJOR fear but then I know him. Thanks for all your quotes. I have not failed with any other horse and i dont intend to now!!
 
laurabaker said:
More the reason to do it myself. I dont think he has a MAJOR fear but then I know him. Thanks for all your quotes. I have not failed with any other horse and i dont intend to now!!
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YOU said: "whenever a weight is put on or lent on him he double barrels and freaks out." That is an extreme reaction in any horse who has gone through the steps towards backing! EITHER he has a MAJOR fear - or he's a nasty tempered ratbag who doesn't WANT to be ridden - OR he has extreme back pain/girthyness!

I wish you luck - but a horse with a problem really isn't a suitable project for a new mother with a dependent baby IMHO! But your choice!
 
I think it might be cheaper to send him away unless the person is very local.

I expect anyone with any sense is going to want to work him on the ground first to build up a bond, check saddle and tack is suitable etc and see how he goes before getting on and will need to work with him consistently every day for a few weeks and it might be more hassle than it is worth for them to come to you every day for several weeks. I don't think this horse is going to be fixed by someone brave just trying to cling on till the horse gives up.
 
Honest - sending away is the best thing to do - changes their routine and enviroment and they dont feel like they can get away with things in there own yard - if that makes sense!

Its like you being in your own home do what you want, when ever you want but if you was in someone elses house you would be that bit cautious and wary and probably listen to the owner of the house better!

Im just round the corner from you in Northaw (*waves*)

Its like my situation at the moment i am only 5ft 2 and have a 2yo who is currently 16hh and honest started getting a bit pushy with leading etc - the final straw was when he knocked my father over in the field and thought it was a good game.

We sent him to a friend of ours in Suffolk for a month. he is about 6ft 2inches and a farrier and is use to handing cobs. he had him there for a month and basically used the approach that if our youngster was pushy he would turn to him and walk in to him and make our youngster walk back about 10 steps while looking him in the eye! Works a treat

Now he is back home a month later and all i have to do is turn towards him and look him in the eye and he settles back down again!

Honest routine is everythign! Horses love a routine and they get in this very easily in their own yard! If you change the routine (send them away) you can start with a new approach when they come back... i.e. if he comes back being sat on backed you then carry this on when he comes home as if a different horse with no fear of what happened before and carry on from there...
 
I totally echo what Janet George said - I work my youngster with a fantastic guy who only last night was talking to me about a horse he's got in at the moment who someone else starting backing a year or so ago. The horse had a saddle slip under him during the first few days of working and developed a fear of being tacked up which with hindsight wasn't worked through properly. When someone got on for the first time he rodeoed them off, they then tried a dumb jockey and the horse bolted in a blind panic. He was then given some time off and retried - time doesn't heal like that.... This horse seems fine to handle on the ground and doesn't seem "that" frightened - until someone leans over him. He's getting there now but it is going to take a good deal of time with a very experienced professional. I appreciate you know your horse better than anyone but please don't put yourself at risk, the right professional will work with you and let you be involved as much as you want to be but as Janet said, anyone who really has the skills and patience to work this through quietly and calmly with you and your boy WILL want him to be stabled at their place for a few weeks so they can build up a bond and get him to trust them.
 
One final point on this subject! IF you pay someone (in cash or in kind) for this 'service' make DAMN sure they are fully insured. If that person is injured, and you are paying them, them Public Liability is NOT enough - you need Employer Liability or you could lose everything you own!! Similarly, if you're sending a horse away to be backed/schooled, ASK about their insurances. As the owner, you may still be considered legally liable if your horse badly injures someone. And some yards do NOT have adequate insurance!
 
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