Right time to back

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Ceriann

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I was chatting to someone at a show today, swapping stories. I mentioned I had a coloured cob from a rescue centre, who I was looking to break in later this year. When I said the mare in question was 7 the response was '7?! Best of luck with that!'.

I think each horse is different - this particular mare came to me a couple of years ago after being v poorly and I need of building up. She's now v healthy, well handled and ready to do a job. I see no reason why she should be more difficult than a 3/4 year old.

Is there a right time to back?
 
that was a mean thing to say! I have seen comments about lots of mares being backed at that sort of age after having foals etc. Really don't see why it should be a problem.
 
There's a school of thought (which I can truly understand) that says you should back a horse before it has got too strong as it means that the resistance the horse is capable of throwing at you is limited. At seven a horse is obviously more coordinated, stronger and more worldly. However if the horse is working with you there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be just as successful, you may just need to tailor your approach a bit.
 
I have backed a few older mares, the oldest was 13, and had no problems with them, having been well handled already and physically mature you could just get on with it, none were any more opinionated than the younger ones, in some ways were easier as they had seen a bit more life and were generally chilled about doing something new that was interesting.
 
There are plenty of horses around that have been backed at an older age, for various reasons and being a brood mare is one of the reasons. There is always just a slight doubt that a horse that has spent its life in a field pleasing itself might not take too kindly to suddenly being asked to carry a person round and responding to their requests and they are strong enough and have the personality to make their opinion clear! It must happen or it wouldn't be brought up. All you can do is to go ahead and see how you get on.
 
Quite honestly, anything bigger than a foal is going to win a war of strength any day. I have never understood the back them while theyre two/three and not able to fight school of thought. I have never backed anything less than rising 4 and the one I have just done was a total pain as a 3yo. Just four, yes he is bigger and wiser but has far more concentration and is just more ready. Had he wanted to, he'd have seen me off as a yearling!
Anyway op, give it a go, I'm sure you'll be fine.
 
I know someone who backed a Welshx Cob at 7. He went on to become a RDA horse, amongst other things.
I'm another who doesn't agree with the ''back it while its not strong enough to object' school of thought. My Rottweiler could throw me off, if I tried to sit on her, she is nowhere near as big as my 4 yr old cob. The idea is to get the horse to the stage where it wants to co-operate before you back it, that way it won't fight you. I prefer to wait until they are physically and mentally strong enough to enjoy the experience.
 
I think you can back a horse at any *sensible* age, the key to success is the same with any horse, the right approach and time required for that particular individual.

I also agree with Nudibranch and Pearlsasinger in their opinions.
 
I know of a scatty warmblood that was nowhere near ready to be backed at 3/4/5. He could never have coped with it mentally. They left him until he was almost 8, and three years on, he's wonderful.

Every horse is an individual, and as long as you don't rush anything, the results should be fine!
 
Thanks everyone. This mare was definitely not ready when she came to me, physically or mentally. She is a far more balanced horse now and not as reactive to situations. I've done some work with her and will continue to do this slowly over summer (I'm in no rush) but get her backed properly by a professional in autumn.
 
Tbh if you back anything properly then you shouldn't have an issue

If you back anything badly you will always have an issue no matter what the age
 
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