Those who are alone & back their own youngsters........

cob&onion

cob&onion

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I was wondering how people on a private yard/horses on their own/at home manage to back/break youngsters in on their own or don't' they?!
I have 2 horses on my field but luckily not too far from a yard and have a few horsey friends about.
When i backed the mare i had help on the ground and also had someone come and help me for a week after the initial backing process was done. I planned to do the same with my 3yr old this summer. However help is limited as i have to do my horses at unsociable hours - either before 8am or after 6pm! :rolleyes:
Its just things like long-reining, i need someone to be at his head to *guide* him - i did do a bit of long reining last autumn but found it difficult alone!! also when i come to sit on him - need someone again to hold him, and when riding away i would like someone on the ground to guide him for the first few times.....also from a safety point of view.

He is well used to wearing tack and knows most voice commands inhand. He is very chilled out and i feel like he is ready to do more long-reining now. I hope to be riding him lightly toward autumn.

So how do people manage backing/long reining process alone? any tips?!!
 
I'm currently breaking my sec D alone. Have lots of breaking experience but it is much more difficult on your own.
I've done all the lunging and getting used to tack and voice commands on my own, but I'm having a helper every day this week just to get him riding away. You can't really do that part alone safely IMO.

Its difficult on your own isn't it? Also with a baby it's not easy to coordinate babysitter and horse helper!
 
The long reining one.

Break it down into steps.
From lunging position, put a second outside line from the cavesson/headcollar/bridal over the back and walk beside as if still lunging but instead of circle, you walk alongside at a short distance.

Get him used to ropes over him of course first though, and if possible, don't use a whip use voice, makes it easier at first when getting used to sorting out your hands ect.

Then gradually move further back/away as the horse becomes more confident.

What you are aiming for is them walking independantly in front of you but listening for your commands.
 
My partner helps with my Welsh D who is rising 3, but she’d be sent to someone I trust if she wasn’t so in love with having things done with her.

I tend to do things by myself but my partner will stand there at hand to grab things and take over if I need to be doing too many things at once. We've not started long reining yet. But my 6yo can be a little fearful of long reining so my partner will help walking next to him when we set off so on...

I would be lost without that extra pair of hands.
 
I don't know what the problem is long reining, this is the one exercise best done alone, else horse will just follow the leader.. and long reining is teaching him to be the "leader", to give him confidence to meet new things etc etc.
The long reiner should be able to handle two reins and a lunge whip, if not, start with two reins.
The horse needs to be perfect walking in hand, walking out, beside you, halt when you do, walk on when asked. Not dragging behind you. He needs to be sufficiently mature in mind and in body: a lesson of 20 mins three times a week is how you start.
As an older person, [tho with lots of horse experience], I spent up to 6 months on proper ground handling, tho some were great, and could have been backed in 10 days. I was in no hurry, and wanted to make sure ponies were strong, mature, and willing.
I always groom from above using a bale of hay/shavings to stand on, and pony is tied up until he has learned to stand free to be groomed. It is not essential he is groomed loose, some dont like to be tied up, in case they miss any stableyard action! Most dont mind.
Horse/pony must be absolutely calm in all stable situations and education includes farrier, EDT, vet, children grooming, only when all these requirements are met do I venture on board. If in any doubt I use a good lightweight who will not fall off or panic. I found backing them was just a transition from slipping one leg over, and from asking them to carry a saddle, so there was not a "today we will back him" attitude.
I back bareback, using hessian sack and a a breaking roller which pony is used to.
Never ever try to do something new when you have a tight time schedule.
If you fear you will fail, find a good horsewoman to do it for you. Someone who brings on their own ponies and is over 23!!!!!
 
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The only thing ill need when doing my own is my OH/dad to hold when I get to the actually sitting on stage. The rest of it will be done alone the same as I do everything, Jumping/hacking/schooling etc :)
 
I backed my youngster alone. I'm on a yard but the time of the day I ca make it to work my horses does not co-ordinate with anyone else due to my schedule! I managed it by making sure my mare was completely solid with all her foundation and ground work. The most important thing I taught her was to stand still and ground tie! I made sure she was quick off the voice aids in hand and this translated well to beginning to long rein her. She's been so easy and has taken to it all very well. I really attribute it to all the work I put in both in the round pen and in hand though.

The only thing that was a bit heart stopping was mounting for the first time as I had no help so had to trust my halt command and just get on with it. Due to all the previous training with ground tying, she stood rock solid and accepted it all incredibly well. All the initial ridden work was done in the round pen so it didn't matter that I had no-one to lead for the first couple of rides as there's nowhere to go in the round pen and it's all very logical for the horse to travel forward round the edge.

I would just say take your time laying the foundation, don't be in a rush to get on as it's vital it's as safe as possible when you're alone and this means instilling as much obedience and understanding as you can before you move on to the next stage.
 
I backed one of mine completely on my own, and the other I had people around but didn't find it that different. Mare 1 was un halter broken and I started by leading her out a lot, just in the school as the hacking was so dreadful, and it would have been dangerous to go out. She progressed from being led from both sides in walk and trot, on both reins, to wearing tack, again being led from both sides, then lunging, then long reining. Then I got her standing by a block, and used to seeing me standing on both sides of her from the block, then one day I just popped on. That said, she has the best attitude to work of any horse I have ever known, and nothing ever phases her. I think it depends very much on the horse, but I would rather have no help, than inexperienced or incompetent help, or the help of someone who doesen't communicate with you well, as I find that is more likely to cause an accident.
 
Great replys thank you :)

He is very solid with standing/wearing tack i even throw a heavier weight rope round him alot too, it goes everywhere - over his neck, back, through his legs etc and he just stands solid. It helps that he has a good attitude!
I have been doing the above for the best part of 18 months.
Will try the long-reining way as suggested by Aarrghimpossiblepony.

I have leant over him but not fully so my legs are off the floor - just leaning over him and patting the other side from both directions - he has no problem with this either. I have also jumped a few times on the spot as if i was going to get on him, again he stands solid.
As i mentioned in my first post he walks well inhand and listens to voice commands .

Just waiting for the snow to melt more and the field to dry out a bit as i only have a field. What i did with my mare was section a pen off in the field where it was flat and thats where we did most things :)
Really looking forward to starting him :)
 
I've done a few of mine totally solo and not had any issues.

Long reining- I don't normally have anyone to help for that stage anyway.
Start them off on a circle, lines attached to the headcollar with the outside line running through a balance strap at the withers and through to your hand.
Once you can stop and walk/trot on the circle, move onto straight lines with you diagonally behind the horse, so more towards the hip than the tail. I find this helps as the horse can see you and you can move it around with body language. I keep the outside line over the withers but that's personal preference.

Getting on is really where you normally want someone but I've done it fine alone, including in the field :)
Get them really used to the mounting block and you leaping around like an idiot.
Then I lie across and ask them to walk in a circle with my legside as the inside of the circle- tight circles are good to start as they can't get up any speed! Slide off and repeat a few dozen times on each side.
By the time you swing your leg across they will be bored with the whole thing and grateful to get off the circle.

Just make sure someone knows what time you expect to be finished with each session and keep your mobile phone on you in case of emergencies- but if you take it slowly enough and watch your horse's ears like a hawk for reactions, you should be fine :)
 
I've done both of mine alone. Never really had other options so just got on with it. Not sure I'd be inclined to with a hot blooded type, but native ponies / stereotypical cobs if you've done all the appropriate ground work are another matter.
 
Very interesting thread, I am on my own and just started breaking in my 3 year old. As he is over 17hh I will have someone to help with the getting on bit - unless I have a ladder it isn't going to be elegant! The teaching to long rein stuff is great, I am empowered and will start tomorrow morning.
 
I'm on my own, and have done my mare alone too. Trouble is now I don't have an arena, which was brilliant before - kept us in and safe! I'm still not sure how I'll manage this summer with my filly in the fields!! Saying that, she can long line, lunge and has worn tack, it is just getting on that I'm thinking 'umm' about!
 
I started mine on my own and rode away on my own just took my time done everything in sections did not progress till happy had no problems did not make a big deal out of getting on He got used to me parking him by a block laying over sliding off etc every day and standing there till i had finished scrambling lol😜 I think in some ways it's better as they learn to trust you and not needing someone on the ground he is my horse tho I had the time to do it and was in no hurry
 
Hi I posted this exact post last year! I had oh watch out of kitchen window with 999 on speed dial but did it all myself- lots of long lining, lots of flapping and getting bombproof as much as possible. Got on in a small enclosed yard, enough space for a twenty metre circle then progressed to small field and then hacking but no pressure if in doubt about something on a hack getting off and long lining past - long lines in a ruk sack. Body protector on. Went fine no issues just bemused horse eighteen months on hacking with friends- ooh we do this with other horses! And first time in an indoor school but just walked round until he had a good luck. Basically form foundations and you are cooking on gas!
 
I have broken in many youngsters alone (and sometimes in a 40 acre field too). I don't ever long rein anything, and I tend to do the actual climbing aboard in a stable, so these things don't cause problems. In fact I'd rather do it alone than with an inexperienced helper who could cause more problems by being in the wrong place or overreacting. It's all about reading the horse and knowing when they are ready to move on to the next stage.
 
OP, I am so glad you asked this question.

Have been wondering exactly the same thing when I come to back my youngster next year....was afraid I would be shot down in flames, health and safety and all that ;)

Glad to see there are many out there who do this and that I am not stark raving mad for considering it! (Not completely anyway...)
 
Hi, I've broken in a few without any school and just my mum holding on when I do the first sitting in and walking around stage. I always do it in an enclosed area on the yard though, more to give me confidence that they can't bomb off. Il be getting hubby to hold on this time as my mum just let's go if they pull her!
 
I have done my 2 on my own and plan to do the hairy one on my own too but may bribe someone to watch and be ready to scrape me off the floor when I first clamber on ;0)

TBH I think as others have said if you take your time and know your horse you will be fine. I'd rather take longer and know they are truly ready than have the false confidence of a helper and risk rushing things.
 
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Hi, I've broken in a few without any school and just my mum holding on when I do the first sitting in and walking around stage. I always do it in an enclosed area on the yard though, more to give me confidence that they can't bomb off. Il be getting hubby to hold on this time as my mum just let's go if they pull her!
 
Think it'd be very difficult. I've always done everything on my own up until the leaning over their back and initial riding bit, where I've used my mum to be at the head. Wouldn't fancy doing that bit without someone there.
 
Ive broken and will be breaking a wb this spring on my own. It can be tricky breaking alone and even trickier without facilities..

But it's fully possible and on good days you look and feel quite proud and think 'I did that' :D and on a bad day 'hmm I did that' :/ lol!!
 
Well, i went down full of enthusiasm this morning, sun shining and all that :D - got my 3yr old and tied him up with a haynet and gave him a good groom, i popped my hat on and got the sturdy huge bucket (mounting block - ultra strong) and stood over him brushing him on the other side and generally making a big fuss of him, not being overly quiet quite the opposite, no fussing about. I managed to lean over him a few times and he wasn't bothered atall. I thought about popping my leg over - it would have been that easy as just the right height (advantage of being tall and extra tall on the bucket and him being 14.2hh) :p but changed my mind - only as the ground is so wet and slippy and where has was wasn't the best place!
Will carry on doing the above and as soon as the ground dries out a bit and the OH is free to hold him i will be popping on properly :)

I think a thread full of people currently going through the process of backing their own horses. A thread where we could all share tips and pictures throughout the stages :)
 
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cob&onion said:
I was wondering how people on a private yard/horses on their own/at home manage to back/break youngsters in on their own or don't' they?!
I have 2 horses on my field but luckily not too far from a yard and have a few horsey friends about.
When i backed the mare i had help on the ground and also had someone come and help me for a week after the initial backing process was done. I planned to do the same with my 3yr old this summer. However help is limited as i have to do my horses at unsociable hours - either before 8am or after 6pm! :rolleyes:
Its just things like long-reining, i need someone to be at his head to *guide* him - i did do a bit of long reining last autumn but found it difficult alone!! also when i come to sit on him - need someone again to hold him, and when riding away i would like someone on the ground to guide him for the first few times.....also from a safety point of view.

He is well used to wearing tack and knows most voice commands inhand. He is very chilled out and i feel like he is ready to do more long-reining now. I hope to be riding him lightly toward autumn.

So how do people manage backing/long reining process alone? any tips?!!
Click to expand...


I have backed all 3 of mine, though 12 hhs i did not sit on just did everything else.

ideally you need someone there to help you
 
cob&onion said:
Well, i went down full of enthusiasm this morning, sun shining and all that :D - got my 3yr old and tied him up with a haynet and gave him a good groom, i popped my hat on and got the sturdy huge bucket (mounting block - ultra strong) and stood over him brushing him on the other side and generally making a big fuss of him, not being overly quiet quite the opposite, no fussing about. I managed to lean over him a few times and he wasn't bothered atall. I thought about popping my leg over - it would have been that easy as just the right height (advantage of being tall and extra tall on the bucket and him being 14.2hh) :p but changed my mind - only as the ground is so wet and slippy and where has was wasn't the best place!
Will carry on doing the above and as soon as the ground dries out a bit and the OH is free to hold him i will be popping on properly :)

I think a thread full of people currently going through the process of backing their own horses. A thread where we could all share tips and pictures throughout the stages :)
Click to expand...


Please, please DON'T consider slipping a leg over for the first time whilst he is tied - if he does get worried by you sitting on, being tied and unable to move is likely to increase any panic, and you won't be in a position to release him.

If you're comfortable to just slip on him like that, just make sure you untie him first ;) and make sure you enjoy the experience. Personally, I think you should have someone with you - you'll be so proud of the photo! :)
 
PoshDonkey said:
Please, please DON'T consider slipping a leg over for the first time whilst he is tied - if he does get worried by you sitting on, being tied and unable to move is likely to increase any panic, and you won't be in a position to release him.

If you're comfortable to just slip on him like that, just make sure you untie him first ;) and make sure you enjoy the experience. Personally, I think you should have someone with you - you'll be so proud of the photo! :)
Click to expand...

Thats why i decided not too :) although it was tempting!
Am going to try and rope my horsey friend into helping me when she can.
 
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