too heavy for a 3yr old sec D??

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lucky7

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I have A just 3yr welsh D who stands at 14.2hh he is a little ribby due to a bad winter but weight is creeping up with new grass appearing. He should finish up around 15hh - he has chunky legs (plenty of bone) but needs to fill out alot! Hoping to start backing him in a couple of weeks time. He has started long reining etc the only thing i have not done is sit on him yet.
Thing is am worried am going to look too big/be too heavy for him.
I am 5ft9, slim build and weigh in at 11st exactly. However i know am very balanced etc but concerned i maybe too heavy for him at the moment with him being a bit on the lean side. He is not a HAPPA case by any means! just a bit ribby and looks a bit babyish. However he seems to be really enjoying his long reining and groundwork sessions and has really taken it in his stride. I was hoping to be lightly hacking out by summer then turn away for winter and bring back into work as a 4yr old. He can be a bit bolshy if not kept on top off (typical welshie really) so wanted to do the basics before he gets big and bolshy :D:D
What would you do? i know in the long run he will be a good size as i have seen both his sire and dam and know his breeding and they have all been chunky monkeys!
 
Ok maybe you are just getting me on a bad day OP so apologies if this sounds harsh but he's three! Long line him get him used to wearing tack and even pop him over s few small jumps loose then leave him be until this time next year.

I don't get folk who rush babies and want to be sitting on them! Just teach him the basics without being on his back and turn him away until next year.
 
Op - I too would not be rushing. I know many people are really keen to back their 3 year olds, but to me the long reining and handling is the most important thing. I have a 3 yr old Dales youngster and I will long rein him and do some basic groundwork later in the summer and I may lay across him, but he too looks rangey and has lots of filling out to do.
The last thing you want to be doing is worrying a wobbly youngster with the weight of a rider imo.
 
Firstly, him being fatter won't make him able to carry more weight - that doesn't make any sense.

Secondly, I also wouldn't be backing him yet. I'd wait until autumn at the earliest, but that's just me.
 
I have a just 3 welsh D about the same height, maybe a bit taller and there is no way he's mature enough physically to take any rider yet. I'm planning on spending the next six months on the ground teaching him everything I possibly can before (but only if he matures enough) possibly getting up in October time and walking him up the lane and back. That will be that for us until next spring
 
I would be a very similar height / weight to you, and would also consider myself reasonably balanced as a rider - (not in comparison to Carl Hester :D)
Personally, I'd feel I was too big for a 14.2 baby of 3, even a chunky type. I would be doing loads of in hand strengthening work, including getting a good biomechanist / physio to set up with pole work, and I'd spend the summer educating by getting lots of basics under his girth :D get to some shows for inhand classes, or just a wander about.
That would keep his mind active, get him experience, but without pushing him beyond his physical capabilities :)
 
I would do long reining, some lunging and basic things first and be aiming to get on him around june/july and starting basic flat and hacking, maybe pop a small fence at the end of the summer then turn him away. Bring him in as a 4 year old and crack on a bit more

I am 5ft 4 and just under 9 stone and have ridden 13 hand ponies away
 
Thanks guys - i appreciate its a very personal opinion when to start backing etc

I will probably looking to lightly hack out by the end of the summer for a few weeks, then turn away to mature till he's 4.
Going to continue with his groundwork then see how he's looking in a few months :)
 
I agree with the others... I personally wouldn't do anything more with him til he's at least 3.5 if not 4... they are still doing a lot of growing and filling out in this year (and even beyond). Why rush?! Get out and do some in hand shows with him and have fun!
 
I would back him this summer I would take a leisurely lead up to the backing back him get him going sweetly ride away do a few very easy short hacks twenty mins to half an hour I aim for three or four if they went well I turn away.
If sessions are kept short twenty mins to half an hour max .I don't think it does three yo's any harm to be backed.
 
lots of ground work over the summer and back him spring next year as a rising 4. That's what I did with mine many years ago, she is rising 20 now.
 
You said it your self he's 14.2 hoping to make 15hh. This means he's got some growing to do.
Why would you risk damaging the growth plates in his bones and subsequent risk his future soundness.
There's no need to rush youngsters into being backed. Do groundwork, take for walks in hand and go to shows. There's just no good reason to back a just 3 year old.
Just my opinion though.
 
It is a personal opinion on when to back. My 3 yo filly will do about 4 weeks in May. I will finish being led around on her. She is a 15.2 warmblood/TB cross. I'm 7 stone 11. I will not kill her and will not ruin her back. She will get the summer out. Do some more work in the Autumn then off before starting more serious work.

No I'm not in a rush. But this will bring her forward and it will be done sympathetically. Starting at 4 or 5 and then throwing everthing at them at once makes no sense to me. But we're all different.

Terri
 
I have a three year old in the same kind of condition (weedy!) I am the same height and a little lighter.

My 3yr old is quite a lot bigger though at 16.1 IDxTB ! I am too big and he is too immature to do anything exciting sadly. I was hoping to get him backed over the summer and lightly hack in the autumn/winter but prob not. He's been sat on and will be taught to walk with a rider on board over the next months. He'll not be doing anything else but longrein and pony out though as he's just not ready. Hurry up and grow, Roo-Weed!
 
I wouldn't be backing him this year - why the rush to potentially ruin him? - why would you risk it?
His weight bearing growth plates haven't fused yet - no horses do until they are at least 4 regardless of breed, you've said so yourself he's very babyish which is normal for a baby!!! I agree with all who said just to do in hand stuff with him, it could save you a potential fortune in the long run if you do cause damage and end up with a pasture pet, I've seen plenty end up like that due to folk being in such a hurry!!:(

I don't even think of doing mine until they are at least 4 and some we've left till 6 as they just weren't mentally or physically ready to be backed - yours is being bolshy because that's generally the phase the vast majority of youngsters go through, being on his back isn't going to fix that only consistent handling and groundwork will!!
Ground work is the best thing to do with him to build up fitness, both mental and physical, build up a bond, get him used to voice aids and everythimg he will encounter out and about. There is absolutly no reason what so ever to be on his back so quickly other than you're wanting to shift him on quickly to sell and make a fast buck with no concern for long term issues, why else would you do it?!
 
Exactly what Alexart said. This will sound harsh and I'm talking generally but why do people buy babies if they're wanting to ride etc asap?
Mine is 4, a d like yours (late to mature ) did loads of in hand basic stuff last year, turned away over winter. Just started re-doing last year's lessons with a view to backing august time (4.5 by then). Also doing local in hand shows. I will hack and school until about November then I will do very little over winter. Will re start in spring of his fifth year, then will do more serious schooling and some small jumps.
 
Equilibrium Ireland said:
It is a personal opinion on when to back. My 3 yo filly will do about 4 weeks in May. I will finish being led around on her. She is a 15.2 warmblood/TB cross. I'm 7 stone 11. I will not kill her and will not ruin her back. She will get the summer out. Do some more work in the Autumn then off before starting more serious work.

No I'm not in a rush. But this will bring her forward and it will be done sympathetically. Starting at 4 or 5 and then throwing everthing at them at once makes no sense to me. But we're all different.

Terri
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I don't usually disagree with anything you say but I suppose there's always a first time.:D

There's a huge difference between a pony/horse being lightly backed by a professional because it's part of an organised program of bringing them on and nothing to do with wanting to ride them.

Everytime there is somebody posting about backing their horse/pony, out comes this phrase about light hacking and then turning away.
But the thing about "light hacking" is what will that mean in reality? Because if it's really light hacking then it can be done from the floor under the title "walking out".

At the same time there is thread after thread about not being able to hack out alone.
So you're lightly hacking your young horse/pony and you are light hacking with others and they never ever go at any pace or do anything that doesn't suit the youngster?

Sorry but I'm very sceptical.
Leave till four and avoid the temptation of ending up doing too much.
 
We've had section D babies in the past and 3 is far too young to ride him, especially at your weight. Wait at least until the autumn and stick a 9 stone rider on his back for 5 mins at a time twice a week just so that he gets the idea if you really want to back him. His limbs and spine are still forming until he is at least 5 so be patient now for a happy, healthy horse in the future.
 
I dont see why everyone is going mad at the thought of a 3 year old being backed. For me 3 year old is perfect age to be sat on, it breaks up the breaking process so no need for an overload at 4.
As far as Im aware nearly all horses here in Ireland are broken at 3.

Not that I condone this behavour but in some horse circles eg racing and western it can be perfectly normal to break a yearling and bring it in to work as a 2 year old so OP im sure your 3 year old would cope just fine with a couple of hacks with you on board.
 
My 3 year old highland will be shown in hand, has travelled and is off to youngsters horse agility/ spook busting this year. Looking at her she is weedy bum high and needs time. She ties up, leads etc so quite happy. She is an angel in the stable too. I am considering leaving her till 5 to break! Will teach this year to ride and lead off my other pony, so useful. Tack and long rein but nothing more.
 
snooples said:
I dont see why everyone is going mad at the thought of a 3 year old being backed. For me 3 year old is perfect age to be sat on, it breaks up the breaking process so no need for an overload at 4.
As far as Im aware nearly all horses here in Ireland are broken at 3.

Not that I condone this behavour but in some horse circles eg racing and western it can be perfectly normal to break a yearling and bring it in to work as a 2 year old so OP im sure your 3 year old would cope just fine with a couple of hacks with you on board.
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Sitting on is one thing - riding something else totally! A 3 yo who has not wintered well, would, in my opinion NOT be ready to be ridden by anyone at this time - never mind someone who is questionably too heavy. The horse is physically - not to mention mentally, unready for work at this stage.
Yes, horses in Ireland might well be broken at 3 - often to the detriment of the horse and those that buy them - the 'breaking' process in Ireland is often suspect to say the least so not a good example IMO.( having had a couple myself).
If you do not condone the practise of 'breaking' ( actually dislike that word in this context) race horses or western horses then why mention it? Does nothing to validate the discussion.
 
I mentioned it to show that yearlings are pefectly capable of taking the weight of a full grown man so I have no doubt a 3 year old would take the weight of the OP.

I find your comments about the breaking process in Ireland quite rude too, we must be doing something right seeing as people in the UK cant seem to get enough of Irish horses.
 
For those of you who say 'best to do a little backing and riding at 3, so as to not overload them at 4'.
Then why not do, a little backing and riding at 4, so as to not overload them at 5.
 
snooples said:
I mentioned it to show that yearlings are pefectly capable of taking the weight of a full grown man so I have no doubt a 3 year old would take the weight of the OP.

I find your comments about the breaking process in Ireland quite rude too, we must be doing something right seeing as people in the UK cant seem to get enough of Irish horses.
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Yes, I agree they might be capable, but that dosn't make it right IMO.
Regarding the breaking process in Ireland, I can only speak from personal experience. Agree, Ireland does produce some fantastic horses- never said otherwise.
 
Sorry I got a bit defensive.

I can see your point while the majority of 3 year olds Iv seen backed have been physically mature enough Im sure there are plenty that probably arent but without seeing the horse itself its hard to make the decision.

However I was just thinking, OP is this horse even 3 yet, seeing as he is not a TB there is a good chance he will only have just turned 3 or will only be turning 3 in the next few months in which case I would leave till the end of summer or start of autumn at the very earliest.
 
I have a 3yr old welsh D who is turning 4 in a few weeks. Last year everyone was telling to back him. But I knew him, he just wasn't ready physically or mentally. I did loads of ground work over the summer, and just spending time with him. I really didn't want to rush it, even though I was itching to ride him - it would be of been selfish of me. I left him alone in the winter to start in the spring.
Well I've been taking it really slow and I'm really seeing the benefit. He really trusts me now and everything I've asked of him he has been foot perfect. I've only lent over him bareback for max 5mins a few times a week and he has been a saint. But now I'm getting people saying I can borrow their saddle to ride him in - which is exactly what I don't want to do! I'm not going to chuck any old saddle on him as that's just asking for problems later on. I'm just taking it one step at a time. What's the rush? I've got his whole life to enjoy him.

Sorry went off a bit there! But OP, my advice is to take your time, enjoy every step with him, not rushing to get to the end result and be proud of even the smallest of achievements. There really is no rush - you want him to fully understand and accept every thing you show him. Good luck with him :) x
 
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