Sending away for backing -questions to Ask

kerrieberry2

kerrieberry2

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I'm going to meet a guy on Sunday to have a chat about sending my 3yr old to him for backing next March, when he will be almost 4!

Can you guys give me some ideas of the questions I need to ask him!

Sam is my first youngster and I was hoping to back himself but I've moved yards and I'm on my own now, I don't have any reliable help. I had found a lovely instructor to help me but she's so busy that she can't come out until 6.30 at the earliest in the evenings, but its dark now, so no good!! and she's out at lot with her work horses at the weekends!

but on the other hand I found a horrible lady that confused him so much he ended up trying to chuck himself on the floor, got down on his front knees and stayed there until I went to get him up again!!

So needless to say I don't want anyone who's going to make him feel that stressed again!! so want to get the questions right before making my decisions.

Thanks in advance
 
I sent my 4 yr old filly away but I was lucky that ther trainer is both known to me and a I friend I could trust. I have heard of many horror tales so do be careful who you pick. I would say recommendation is best - ask the chap if you can talk to anyone whose horse he has recently backed for recommendation.
I would want to know how long he expects to have your youngster for and what he would expect to achieve in that time. My mare went for 5 weeks and by the end she had hacked out gently, popped a tiny cross pole and had established her school work, happy to ride on both reins at all gaits with correct lead in canter.
I had spent 4 weeks preparing her before she went. I did a lot of inhand work - daily for 20 minutes, longreining and by the end getting the tack on her. I established the basic move away from my hand/whip when I touched her flank, voice commands for the paces.

I would ask the trainer what would be helpful for you you to establish before your horse goes to him and ask to make regular visits and updates. I was welcome at the trainer's anytime to watch and visit.
 
I would also check what their care regime is, friend had a nightmare recently where her youngster was turned out in a herd to get kicked and broken leg.

Make sure you see them working other horses so that you are sure you are happy with their methods
 
Thanks guys. I was thinking of asking him to work another horse in front of me but wasn't sure that was the done thing? I will defo ask for references too. Also on the turn out question. This is very important to me as the boy can be a pest so think I'd want him in his own as I don't want to risk him being kicked again. As he was kicked in the hock last yr and it's slightly clubbed now. He's very sensitive and swells up very easily.

Time scales is a good question so I can workout my budget and consider my mare and Shetlands needs during the time he's away.

The guy is local so would be easy for me to pop and see him. But would every day be too much? Is that likely to annoy the trainer?
 
Above plus qualifications and insurance and ask to see copies of these.... There's one person near me who doesn't have either (and doesn't have a clue). But people use him, people I would term "not horsey" (without meaning to sound harsh). Because he's cheap! There is no doubt that he has a natural manner around horses but some of his practices make your eyes stand on end.
 
I would try to turn up when you aren't expected. So, if you have already made an appointment then get there in good time. Like going to look at schools, you see more on a normal day than on Open Days!
Talk to his horses over the doors and see if they look happy. Do they have hay?
I went once a week to see Piper, although I'm sure I could have gone every day if I wanted. Might be a bit much for the poor man though! Maybe twice or three times a week?
 
Ask if you can see some of the horses they've previously trained and if you can speak to their owners. Hopefully you'll get positive feedback, but if not then be careful.
 
If he's local & if you have a school, I would ask him to come out to you 3 or 4x a week. I did this this year & mine & most importantly my horses experience was just fab! He was chilled because he was in his own environment, worked in his own school then went out in his own field after. I was very flexible around what times & days the pro wanted to ride and I also hacked out with him, so my horse went on my local hacks & I saw exactly how good he was or wasn't. It worked out the same as sending away but the peace of mind was well worth it, and my horse was super chilled as was worked mon, tues, thurs, fri and was off relaxed in his own environment. Would highly recommend this route to anyone.
 
I notice you are in Basingstoke so I can suggest Lottie Crocker, she has a FB page. Or Darren Heggarty ? Will try and think of some more . . . Jamie Wright also on FB
 
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It is often better to send your young horse away from home so that it learns in a new environment. Most important is word of mouth recommendation - how did you find out about the person you are going to see? If they are local it must be fairly easy to find out about their reputation. Ask them who they have worked for and whether you can approach these people for references. If they are not happy with that then you are not going to be happy with them!

Good luck
 
When I was in this position I talked to a lot of 'horsey' people - anyone local I met really. And there was one yard which no-one said anything bad about, it was all glowing. So that's where I sent him, seeing as how horsey folk are not shy about saying when they think something's wrong. There was a long waiting list, which was another good sign.
 
It would probably be best for him to actually go away as I don't have any facilities, only a field that is about an acre and isn't properly fenced off as the farmer uses it to cut through to another field. also I think it would do him good to socialise with other horses as we are on our own, so will help him get over the excitement of meeting new horses.

found this person from an advert from fb, will defo get references and will ask around to see if anyone knows him! Ive just asked my farrier and he hasn't heard of him! so will see if anyone else has!
 
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