So now we have a Dragon Driving advert to the right - £700

Shysmum

Shysmum

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There are plenty of 3 year olds who've been lightly broken.

Not the best situation, but certainly not the worst. She's not a welfare case, she's quite nice actually. Don't see why it's such a problem SM.
 
I'm not sure being lightly broken to ride and drive at 3 years 8 months is the worst crime ever. Presuming it is 'lightly'? From the photos she's stood still in every photo so hard to gauge the level of work she's been asked to do.

She does look immature, I agree but my new boy will be three in April and he will be lightly backed next summer.

ETA: very possible the photo of her on the yard is from a while ago also?
 
The foster pony that I had from the RSPCA is the same age and a similar height and type as the one on the ad. She went back to the RSPCA from me at the end of August already lungeing, bitted and wearing a roller. They have continued to break her and she is no longer on their adoption list after going to YHL with them so I assumed she has gone to a forever home (reminds me to try and get an update!).

It is common to 'start' a horse at 3, ideally with light work and then turn away to mature until it's 4.
 
What's the problem with something being lightly backed at 3 years 8 months?
As long as the work really has been kept light (which the pictures do suggest : non of her being hammered about or jumped) then it's fine IMO.
She looks a nice sort (if you like that sort of thing) & in good condition.
I can assure you lots of dressage & SJ bred horses aimed at the specialist age classes will have done a lot more at that age.
I do wish HHO would stop boxing shadows. It sometimes feel that on here there is an overwhelming urge to try to find abuse in every tiny aspect of the horseworld!
 
I am buying a two year old. I will be backing her in the Spring when she is 3. I won't be doing proper work with her for another year, but I prefer to back them at 3 than at 4, then give them a year of very light work.
 
Don't see an issue with something being lightly broken to ride and starting to be broken to drive at 3years 8 months myself. And they've done her the service of a HHO ad instead of a DD one ;)
 
My BF friend a very well respected equine vet has their ponies lightly broken to harness at three her oldest homebred is rising 17 and stll competing . He slim fit and loves his work .
TBH I start all my horses at three as long as its done carefully I see no in issue in it.
 
is it the horse being lightly backed at that age or the type of seller that you have a problem with? seems most people have a problem with Dragon driving because of who they perceive to be the main advertisers rather than real welfare concerns. no one takes offence at racers being backed and worked so early, is that because it's done by a more accepted group of people?
 
I was actually just looking at this add as just the sort I'd be interested in if buying. I'm sharing a 6 yr old cob who we think was driven as he's as bombproof as you can get on the roads, I reckon if done sensibly a good start for this horse.
 
Really can't see a problem, she looks a lovely type who has had all the groundwork done, the advert is well worded and appears to suggest the sellers are responsible caring people who are looking for a nice home for her. The price is right and hopefully she will end up in a caring home.
 
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Sorry OP, another who doesn't see a huge problem as long as what they say about it being reasonably light work is true
Click to expand...

I can't help thinking that OP has jumped to conclusions based on the colour of the horse and the type of harness/jogger in the photo.

Ad describes a young horse being started gently at about the right time. Owner is doing it a major favour by starting it both ride and drive, so it has two jobs, and hacking it out so it's quiet in traffic. Better this than a school sour, tied-into-an-outline, traffic-shy nutjob that hasn't ever seen the world.
 
Another who sees no problem with this at all. I imagine pony will turn into a cracking sort having been exposed to everything now.
I wouldn't be happy if this was my advert being judged here!
 
Looks a nice enough pony, can't see the problem with it. At least it isn't thin and it's not being pictured being driven at full speed down the road at 18 months of age like some on there.
 
I've seen some cracking youngsters on DD and wouldn't hesitate to buy as they tend to be what it says on the tin.

Don't get why people slag off this site in particular, yes there are some horrendous looking ponies on it but I've spotted adverts like that on most horse for sale sites.
 
My shettie is three and I've just got a full harness on her and am starting to long line her after a few months of lungeing, which she hadn't done before I bought her a few months ago. I'm certainly not pushing her, she is a bright wee spark and picks it up very quickly. Working at her pace rather than a textbook pace works well for us, and she is loving her new game of dressing up in her purple harness :p

I'm not doing it for any reason other than to keep her mind active, so it's not as if I'm training her for hours on end with a set goal to achieve, just a wee 15 minutes here and there. I think if we keep this sort of mind frame about it we will get on great.
 
It must just be me then. Just seen another one looking very sad, but in light of the post below, I think i best keep myself to myself.
 
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Oh yes I know the one you mean, I agree shysmum with that one, Location Ukraine if its the same one. Sometimes I wonder why people choose the pics with ears back looking 'pestered' surely they've got better ones than that.
 
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