Opinions and views on this please .....

[henryhorn]

Sitting on her being led round won't do her any harm at all, we do it to ours, ie from young we always sit sideways on them if we see them lying down in the field, as it accustoms them to seeing someone above them.
We also pop on them in the stable bareback and it just makes your life easier when you come to start them properly.
I wouldn't do more than walk in straight lines with a not heavy rider at this age, but sitting on her won't damage her..

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

[ QUOTE ]
What are going to achieve, trainng wise, but just quickly sitting on her?

Sounds more that you are excited about getting on with it Which is no bad thing...but I think you should be patient, turn her out and wait a while longer, when you can do it all properly

[/ QUOTE ]

Of course I am excited , I think anyone would, I would be lying if I didnt say I was , but I think I said it in a previous post that If I thought she wasn't ready , I just wouldnt be doing it .

As for what it will achieve , It will go towards her learning process ie the backing in process , only done alot slower .
As I said before she will more than likely not be trotting at this time next year , due to me wanting to take it slowly , and again Il say it that its all at missys pace .

( do you think I like to use the term .... " as I said before "

)

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

[ QUOTE ]
Sitting on her being led round won't do her any harm at all, we do it to ours, ie from young we always sit sideways on them if we see them lying down in the field, as it accustoms them to seeing someone above them.
We also pop on them in the stable bareback and it just makes your life easier when you come to start them properly.
I wouldn't do more than walk in straight lines with a not heavy rider at this age, but sitting on her won't damage her..

[/ QUOTE ]


I have actually done this

..... She was still sleeping , looked up at me and closed her eyes again

It will just be a quick sit on and off . No walking at all .

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

Thanks everyone for your views .

Watch this space

Col x

 

[Kenzo]

Go with your instints, you know your horse better than anyone, looking at the pics I'd say get sitting on her, she's a big girl, you wont do her any harm just sitting on her for 5 minutes every evening while 's munching on her hay, if she's calm about the whole thing and accepts it just keep on doing it every day for a 5 minutes, it will do her the world of good provding she is as you say, mature enough physically, its not like your riding her and asking her to do any work.

 

[Ginn]

I did it with Tilly (infact I think she was even a little younger than Missy the first time). To this day she has always been fine with having people etc on her back - she will happily stand like a donkey while I do round the world etc and even copes with my feeble attempts at mounting from the ground on occasion. I don't think it will do her any physical harm but make sure you "read" her so that it doesn't turn into a bad experience if she's not ready mentally (which I'm sure you will). Doing it now also has the added advantage of making it easier to actually getting on and off when you have such a big horse, especially when it is new for them so you want to do it as quietly as possible. I'd also say I can't see any harm in leading her a few steps then getting off so she can get you to the feel of having someone moving on her as she moves (peppermints are a useful thing to have for rewarding good behavior too!). Good luck and take some pics as I'd love to see how it goes!!

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

Thanks Kenzo

Ginn exactly , I can read her like a book

Thanks x

Oh def will be pics

col x

 

[Weezy]

Yes I ABSOLUTELY would sit on her now - she is only going to get bigger and bigger

BTW I think she is absolutely gorgeous

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

Shes definitely going to get bigger , Im gona need that step ladder, Im a short arse

Thank you Weezy

Col x

 

[Tia]

I sit on all of my 2 year olds. I mess around with all of my 2 year olds. I do loads and loads with my 2 year olds. I even back some of my 2 year olds. Never have I had the slightest bit of trouble when backing them and riding them out at any age after this. I've never had any problems breaking them properly at 4 years old because they are so used to me doing things like this.

It always makes me laugh when you hear the same old comments about "why rush them", well what is rushed? Backing them at 2 and not fully breaking them and schooling them for another 2 years - versus - doing nothing with them for 4 years and then breaking them and schooling them in a matter of a few short 6 weeks - that to me is rushing! Teaching them ridden skills in a timeframe of in excess of 2 years is certainly not rushing them.

No I don't think there is anything at all wrong with sitting on her right now. In fact I think it is highly beneficial to her learning skills. Perspectives are required here - simply sitting on a horse of any age will NOT do them damage, Lol! Sheesh I rest on my yearlings backs when they are lying down so they get used to people being above them; my daughter has also been known to sit on our yearlings backs when they are grazing in the fields; they don't care and they certainly won't be damaged by her doing such a thing, god forbid! Lol!!

 

[Shilasdair]

I think the more you can do with youngsters to introduce them to new experiences, the better.
I lean over mine; they've had boots on, etc from an early age. I also teach them to wear stuff like rollers, and we go walking in hand.
I do disagree with doing a lot of physical work with a youngster before it is physically mature (normally around 4 - 5yrs) as they are weak, and more prone to damage, and so hate seeing adverts for 3yos who are jumping big heights or whatever.
Sit on her - it won't do her any harm at all.
S