Now or never/or completely nuts??

TeamChaser

TeamChaser

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https://youtu.be/LqZsbXprvmw

Have 2 horses currently. Older horse, who's 20 and just hacks now, is recovering from recent surgery to remove bone fragment from foot so prognosis not guaranteed, other one is my team chaser who is 14 and has recovered from pedal bone oedema (I know, right?!) after missing spring season but seems good now

Considering a 3rd younger horse to bring on as bit of an all rounder. Yard 2 mins from home which I rent privately and owners more than happy for me to have a 3rd - more than enough grazing for 3 and spare boxes. Hadn't considered unbacked 3 year old but then came across this video and just love him! I can afford to have help in winter with mucking out to free up time to ride and current 2 ride and lead beautifully. Given this one just a baby, would plan to lightly back and then just lead out a bit and start education over winter. Only Lockie needs to be fit for team chasing so figure I can rotate riding and leading between the 2 grown ups and baby without having to ride twice in the week

BUT I haven't backed a baby before .... am I nuts to even consider?? Nerves not the issue as I'm confident and would say fairly experienced having had the (challenging) ex racehorse straight out of racing 14 years ago and taken on ISH with some issues. Haven't done too badly with the 2 of them who are pretty level, straightforward boys these days.

Is it a waste to get a nice youngster just to be an all rounder? I have full time job - but home based - and dogs as well as the horses so don't compete seriously but love team chasing, bit of show jumping, cross country etc I've just turned 40 so feels like time might be running out to take on this sort of project. ... maybe I'm having a mid life crisis?!

Thanks for reading and thoughts welcome!
 
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No idea as never backed a horse and I don't have the time or experience, but sometimes mid life crisis can be fun :)

If you have the time, knowledge, resources and confidence, then could be lots of fun. He looks a cutie. He looks quite light, and suspect there is a fair amount of filling out to be done there - to make a super nice horsey. Attitude and temperament would i imagine be v important - will you get to visit him?
 
Oh buy it, lifes too short and it looks super .... buy buy buy buy buy ;) Another few years and I am going to do the same, buy a lovely young expensive sports horse that I couldn't afford already ridden and then do it myself but enjoying my boy too much at the moment to need a 2nd horse :)
 
Yes - have researched yard he's at and they come highly recommended in terms of horses being as described. They describe his character as excellent, well handled, real lover of people and learning and easy to educate

Not something to rush into but could be very rewarding
 
Go for it!

I had never backed and ridden my own away before (had some some previous experience with backing other peoples), but bought a slightly feral 2 year old who I have now backed and am in the process of riding away now at age 4. I've loved ever second (well maybe not when she dumped my on my ass in Feb, but that has been her only moment so far!), I had the mind set that if something started to go wrong or it didn't look like I was capable then I would pay for her to go to a professional but so far it's been ok. She is being aimed at dressage and as an all-rounder too, but isn't a fancy warmblood mind ;).

Go see him and go from there, I viewed a couple of others that didn't quite do it for me and then ended up with one a year younger than intended that's growing into a flipping giant, but I love her to the moon and back :D.
 
Antw23uk said:
Oh buy it, lifes too short and it looks super .... buy buy buy buy buy ;) Another few years and I am going to do the same, buy a lovely young expensive sports horse that I couldn't afford already ridden and then do it myself but enjoying my boy too much at the moment to need a 2nd horse :)
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This is exactly it - the ready made ones command a pretty hefty price tag! I guess managing time is always the key but with no travel time to the yard to speak of and ability to pay someone to help in winter, I think it could be doable
 
AlexHyde said:
Go for it!

I had never backed and ridden my own away before (had some some previous experience with backing other peoples), but bought a slightly feral 2 year old who I have now backed and am in the process of riding away now at age 4. I've loved ever second (well maybe not when she dumped my on my ass in Feb, but that has been her only moment so far!), I had the mind set that if something started to go wrong or it didn't look like I was capable then I would pay for her to go to a professional but so far it's been ok. She is being aimed at dressage and as an all-rounder too, but isn't a fancy warmblood mind ;).

Go see him and go from there, I viewed a couple of others that didn't quite do it for me and then ended up with one a year younger than intended that's growing into a flipping giant, but I love her to the moon and back :D.
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Thank you Alex - lovely to hear someone elses experience! Sounds like you're doing fab job with your girl

I would take exactly the same approach and definitely get a pro in if I ever felt out of my depth
 
Go for it :) I bought a foaly and brought her on myself, we had such a great bond she was easy to start. Unfortunately she didn't make the height to carry me but thanks to her good start I found her an amazing home with a little girl that adores her and I've now got a bigger unbroken horse that I'm getting used to handling and enjoying every minute of it. It's amazing watching them come on and turn into characters you will love your new boy :)
 
Thanks so much for replies folks. Have spoken to yard that imported him and he's been well handled, lead round, had feet trimmed, bathed, been out in paddock, stabled and has been great throughout and travelled over fine. Apparently a lovely horse with very sweet temperament and has clean vetting and x rays. Soooo going to have a look Tues eeek!!!
 
Do it!!! I did, and we sound pretty similar in experience and outlook.

Yes it's been challenging and I've shed a few tears when I've doubted myself and if he would 'come right' but WOW what an achievement every little goal completed is! I have loved it and would do it again.

Remember, everyone has to have a 'first', I had a very knowledgeable friend on hand for reassurance more than anything, some things are easier with 2 people though, so a trusted friend is ideal.

And I never look on an well trained, responsive, polite horse as a waste! When asked what I wanted to achieve with him, I would always answer with 'A nice all round riding horse'
 
Thank you for your lovely reply Identityincrisis! I do have experienced folk around I can call on which, you're right, will be important .... even just to tell you you're doing ok when you have the inevitable difficult days.

My ex racehorse has given me some bloody tough days over the years and there have been tears but can honestly say I've never regretted decision to take him on for a second.
 
Life is short, why not have a youngster.

My only thought watching the video, would be to consider what you want him to do. If it is dressage and showjumping he would very likely be a success, but if you are thinking hunting and team chasing, a good Irish type might be a better choice.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Life is short, why not have a youngster.

My only thought watching the video, would be to consider what you want him to do. If it is dressage and showjumping he would very likely be a success, but if you are thinking hunting and team chasing, a good Irish type might be a better choice.
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Yep good point. I don't really hunt but team chase currently as it's all the ISH will do, bless him! Looking for bit more of an all rounder. Importer describes him as eventer type but equally would excel at dressage. Be interesting to see him in the flesh
 
I got an unbroken 3yo last year and had her professionally broken. Was worth it for me for starting her off in the right way flatwork wise.. She's really good with her flatwork which I'm sure she wouldn't be if I had broken her!

Otherwise I think it's a good plan! At least then you don't have other people's problems to deal with.
 
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