Pony being backed this weekend

[WelshD]

My four year old section A pony is due to be backed on Saturday, something that I put off for months while he was left to mature a bit more following a low point in his life

He will be backed by a competent 14 year old who I know well and trust implicitly then a decision will be made as to whether to turn him away or progress slowly with schooling from a professional rider

Lots of groundwork has been done, the pony has been happily wearing tack, we have done the leaning over him and jumping up and down next to hime etc which he has taken in his stride.

I plan to have him backed wearing a saddle but would be keen to hear people's general experiences of backing and what sort of reaction we may get if not favourable

 

[be positive]

I have never had an issue with the initial backing but have never had a set day to do it, usually you just know the time is right, having worked the pony, done the leaning over and walking while rider is lying there several times on and off, walk on and stop, walk on etc then just take the next step with the rider putting the leg all the way over and remaining lying down, take a few steps so they can feel and see where the rider is, possibly get off and try again or if all seems good quietly sit up.
Being under pressure to achieve the backing on a set day feels wrong to me, if all goes to plan great but if something feels wrong leave it for another day, I usually use a saddle but have started the odd one bareback, make sure there is a neckstrap and that the rider holds it when getting on so that control remains with the handler and have a clear plan with the rider, they need to understand what is required and know what your instructions actually mean before they get on, if the pony gets worried quietly go back a step or two to gain his confidence.
I do not see much point in sitting on once then leaving, it can be the next few sessions that really consolidate and without them you are really no further forward than you were before the rider first sat on so I would do a week or two just a little each day before turning away if you feel he needs it or you lack time to continue over the winter.

 

[WelshD]

Thank you so much that was really helpful a few things to think about there.

The teen is travelling 150 miles so thats why there is a specific day but i get what you say and am prepared to call a halt to things if necessary, the pony is too special to me

The pony has been worked with on the ground on and off for two years so was mentally ready back in spring i felt but he was underweight so we left him unbacked

I have no objections to him being ridden away i just want to be sure he doesnt seem physically affected by being backed first

 

[lurcherlu]

Timing and speed vary from pony to pony, I literally hopped o my mare on her third birthday with my no horsey friend there t take a picture, did this three times and turned her away for a month or so and then rode her three times up the lane, had a forced turn away of two weeks due to stallion attack on her and then just rode her like a normal horse. 2 months down the line she's a mentally mature mare with a bright future good luck

 

[ShadowFlame]

The pony will tell you what is right. If he's done enough groundwork, in theory there should be no reason for an unfavourable reaction from him. My first youngster (14.2 cob) I backed with a saddle, second (15h arab) was bareback. No real reason for either, it just felt like the right time to hop on... and both times the equine in question just stood there.

Backing is the easy part, don't worry about him

 

[Clodagh]

Piper has just been backed and having been a nightmare about the whole saddle and girth thing, until we treated for ulcers, the actual backing was a doddle and he didn't turn a hair. He is now walking and trotting off the lunge (7 days on).
My last pony who I sent away for backing I went to see the actual event, so that was booked in advance, the trainer felt he was ready and knew I wanted to be there.