To back or not to back??

E

Endrete

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17 November 2005
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Bristol
www.severnviewstud.parks.officelive.com
I currently have two rising three year olds who need to be sold due to dissolving a business partnership. So, have had them advertised for a while but no interest.

Firstly, I know I need some better and updated pics - the best I have are from when they were foals.

Secondly, would they sell better if they had been lightly backed? I wouldnt want to do too much with them as I really think they need more time to mature.

I would need to send them away for backing as I have a young daughter, not a lot of time and would need to travel them for facilities. Would the 'increase' in price be worth sending them away as imagine this may cost me quite a lot?!

Many thanks
 
I would say don't back - as you said, the amount you spend getting them backed would not be covered by the increase in their value, plus a lot of people like to buy them unbacked and do it themselves, so they have a clean slate to work with. Just my two cents, I would always buy an unbacked horse over a backed one.
 
Indigo Moose said:
I would say don't back - as you said, the amount you spend getting them backed would not be covered by the increase in their value, plus a lot of people like to buy them unbacked and do it themselves, so they have a clean slate to work with. Just my two cents, I would always buy an unbacked horse over a backed one.
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Ditto!!!
 
Indigo Moose said:
I would say don't back - as you said, the amount you spend getting them backed would not be covered by the increase in their value, plus a lot of people like to buy them unbacked and do it themselves, so they have a clean slate to work with. Just my two cents, I would always buy an unbacked horse over a backed one.
Click to expand...

Ditto two!
 
Ditto x three

Coming from one who has had to spend a small fortune sorting out a really bad "light backing"

Not saying yours would be bad of course but just wish I had had a totally clean slate to work with.
 
Ooooh I don't agree!

I think people would rather have something they can see ridden, even if only pootling round on a long rein. It makes the horse look worth it's money as opposed to a blank canvas that needs starting.

Only my opinion!
 
I wouldn't even go and look at a rising three year old who had been backed - however lightly. As you say - they're immature, and its my personal belief that they should be devoting all their resources to growing up big and strong, without having ridden work thrust upon them as well.
Not aimed at the OP - just a general observation - but I'm quite alarmed by the trend to back horses at such a young age. I'm obviously VERY old fashioned, but I was brought up to wait until they were physically and mentally mature enough to cope with being started and ridden away. The year they turned 4 was generally when we looked at them with a view to bringing them in and starting them. We only ever started ours (warmbloods and hunter types) earlier if they were really big, strong hooligans who were starting to be troublesome - and then only towards the end of their third year. If a 4yr old looked like he still had some maturing to do, we'd leave him another few months and then review again. I left my precious Ramiro Z grandson til he was nearly 7 as I had a feeling he still had some growing to do - and he went from a gawky 16.2 to a massively solid 17.3hh in a year.
I've backed two year old TB's before they went into training - but that was at work, and had to be done. If there's no reason to back early, why do it. They have many years ahead of them to be riding horses, and I feel that they should have as much time as possible to be babies.
 
I agree completely with those saying not to back, however lightly :)

I also suspect you've almost answered your own question as to why you've had not interest- the pics

I know I wouldn't even consider looking at a 3yo when I've only been shown a foalie pic, cause that to me could mean so many different things- maybe it looks poor now it's matured? Maybe it's wintered exceedingly badly, but then why haven't you any 2yo pics? Maybe it's had an injury which is obvious, so maybe that's why the seller hasn't posted them? Maybe it had promise as a foal but as it grew up it has wonky legs which where never corrected etc etc etc.

Worst one is 'has the seller even bothered or just bred them for money and not quality?'

I'm not directing any of this at you op, I'm just trying to explain my point.

It's really worth trying to spend an hour or two trying to get a good picture, it will make a world of difference!!!

Good luck with them, I hope you find good homes for them, and quickly :D :D :D
 
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