Those experienced in breaking youngsters...

LJR said:
I find that if you spend enough time on the ground and not progressing until they are rock solid with one stage they tend not to be naughty for initial backing and riding away.

I have had lots of youngsters that get a little more "expressive" once they are past that initial stage, feeling well, feeling fitter and generally enjoying themselves iykwim.

I think if I had a just backed youngster who was being regularly naughty then I would go back a stage - but maybe I have just been lucky :)
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No i completely agree with you here! I've had them mess around on the lunge & long lines but once i start leaning over & get on i wouldn't expect them to do anything stupid. I've had a couple do small little bucks the first couple of times I've asked for canter whilst they get their legs sorted but if they did anything to try to get me off i would take that as them not being broken properly & that i had not done the initial job properly.

I broke 1 which had experienced trauma & pain & i spent a crazy long time on the ground work (3months!!) But when it came to getting on her he 1 little moment & was an absolute angel & rode away like a pro!
 
l've backed 8 and not had one rear or buck on me {two have bucked the first time the girth was done up tighter - but not mounted}. As long as you have done the prep work right there is no reason for them to object to a rider.

One tip - for a while before mounting do everything with the horse stood on a step - it helps to get them used to a person being above them and asking them to do something.

eta - that is of course you stood on the step not the horse
 
EQUIDAE said:
l've backed 8 and not had one rear or buck on me {two have bucked the first time the girth was done up tighter - but not mounted}. As long as you have done the prep work right there is no reason for them to object to a rider.

One tip - for a while before mounting do everything with the horse stood on a step - it helps to get them used to a person being above them and asking them to do something.

eta - that is of course you stood on the step not the horse
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Thanks. That's really good feedback. I have been doing the step thing with me right over the top of him and he's really used to it now. My instinct is that he won't give me any trouble. Must stay confident!
 
Speedyfluff said:
Thanks. That's really good feedback. I have been doing the step thing with me right over the top of him and he's really used to it now. My instinct is that he won't give me any trouble. Must stay confident!
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They will tell you when the time is right :}

Another good thing is a monkey grip that attaches to the D-rings. Acts like a buck strap but doesn't pull you forwards - you can just tuck your fingers under it.

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how many of you find that once they are past the naive stage though.. a few months in, thats when they start to throw shapes and question everything?
 
No good one I've backed has been an idiot at any stage.

Bought a ruined psychotic cob a couple of months ago and went back and worked on the ground until I felt she was properly ready to ride and she's never gone up or bucked with me on her back - she certainly did both when I viewed her and I recently learned she went over backwards before she was ditched into a dealer to get rid of her. Luckily I've been riding her for months now without issue so I believe it was them not her...
 
leaving them later can be good. it depends on the horse I have one I backed at 3 and another I waited until he was five before he was backed. He was just immature mentally, very babyish. He took to it like a duck to water at 5 if I'd done it earlier I think there would have been high-jinks.
 
AceAmara said:
genuine question! Anyone? Does it help and generally avoid this if you leave them later?
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I find the opposite; the most difficult breakings I've had to do were all with older horses (and all the professional trainers I've discussed this with have agreed), or else with horses already mucked up. There is a reason that the median age for starting horses under saddle is 3 years, and that is that they are still a little "innocent" and less sure of their place in the order of things, impressionable and therefore more receptive to the idea of doing what we ask, rather than older and more assertive.
 
I have broken quite a few horses over the years and they all vary to be honest but I do believe that with the correct ground work you shouldn't have too many issues when you do get on board, they usually crop up later when they feel stronger and more independent.

My most recent breaking was my current 4 year old. I backed her at 3 and she was horizontal until I put her saddle on, then she bucked like stink for 2 circuits on each rein on the lunge, never did it again. I got on her and she was fine to walk forward being led but I couldn't get her to go on my own. I knew what was coming, I had to put on the brave pants, kick her hard, she shot forward, head down, back up, kicked her again, big bronc and then she was fine. Hasn't offered this year to buck once despite some fairly inexpert landings over jumps etc from me. It was just something she needed to do once I think. She has however suddenly woken up and dropped me the other day in a field spooking violently at a stone on the floor! She is definitely becoming a bit more challenging and she is now fit and feels much stronger.
 
One of mine backed up til she hit the fence then bucked and reared like a bronco when I put a roller on every time for about a month, then repeated when saddle went on. She still occasionally does it in canter on the lunge. Never done it 'unprovoked' under saddle, but first time riding out downhill she accelerated, got over excited and did it, and if she shies and you catch her mouth she can do it. I think what I took away from it is that if slowly backed you shouldn't expect they will repeat the behaviour shown on the ground as it's easier to gradually introduce a rider, but equally it does give an indication of their go to panic response. I do feel safe riding her now, but would be much more careful about how I introduce her to new things than the other one who is a bit more spook and run.
 
Cortez said:
I find the opposite; the most difficult breakings I've had to do were all with older horses (and all the professional trainers I've discussed this with have agreed), or else with horses already mucked up. There is a reason that the median age for starting horses under saddle is 3 years, and that is that they are still a little "innocent" and less sure of their place in the order of things, impressionable and therefore more receptive to the idea of doing what we ask, rather than older and more assertive.
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I think 3 is a nice age for starting them. I wonder if at 3 they are more inclined to see us as the leader in their herd, they certainly seem to be very willing to trust, which is something you can really make use of. All the SJ horses I worked with were backed as 3 year olds and only one was really difficult. His reaction to someone putting their weight on his back was to throw himself on the floor, which is obviously not a normal reaction! He had regular physio and was allowed another year to grow and mature, and absolutely blossomed as a 4 year old. He's my dream horse...when I'm rich :p
 
Great advice on this thread, thanks. My boy is being such a star. I have been doing everything with him on my own, and today I leant right over him with all my weight, and with him only in a head collar and saddle. He stood rock steady for several minutes, and just turned around and nuzzled me, bless him. I will wait until I have a helper with me before I attempt to sit on him properly, or walk him on. But I'm very pleased with him so far.
 
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