Unbacked brood Mare, can she be schooled?

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michellec

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I have been offered the opportunity to own a mare in foal. She is due in March/April. She comes reasonably priced and I am definately interested. She is just under 10 years old.

She has a lovley temperament, loves my children and seems perfectly happy to just do as you ask. Owning her is not a problem, she has lived outside for most of her life and lived in a herd for some time.

Altho I am a llittle hesitant on the schooling side. She has never been backed and at some point I would like her to be schooled so that my children can ride her. As I have had no training in schooling horses ( lunging was as far as i got) ect I am worried that I am considering owning a horse that will be bored?

My children are more than happy with just having her as a companion and looking after her as she is. As I am a born worrier I think I keep adding worry to myself that I dont need to. I am surrounded by knowledgeable people and persons that are more than capable of schooling her for me.

I would like some honest opinions if possible please xxx
 
I used to ride brood mate highlands initially with no saddle and just a bridle when I was a kid. They had never been ridden and I just got on them and rode them. We had great fun. They would have been older than 10. My new pony is 7 and just backed last year and had a foal first. If you have folk to help you then why not.

As long as she hasn't been backed and then become a broodmare
 
I am breeding from my mare this year and next but might sell her after. Nothing wrong with her but I am worried people will see that shes been used to breed and not still see she is a very talented rideable horse!

As long she the horse has no injuries I dont see why she cant change job
 
Her age is not a problem, we just got 10yr old who was used as a broodmare, she is lovely and going well under saddle. if you are not experienced in breaking, then it may be difficult. Do you know anyone who is experienced enough to help you break in a school her? If you have a support network around you then i would say go for it, if not, then i would keep her as a pet. x
 
I have a similar situation in that I have been offered a brood mare that is not in foal and has only been sat on once. I am just a bit worried about how she will adapt to a busy PC life. She was bred where she is and has never left the field. I think that 1800 is a bit much for her aswell. She is 6 and TB x Welsh. 15hh
 
Do all the basics at home with her yourself that you're comfortable with - ie, wearing tack, getting her lunging/long reining/walking out in traffic/leaning over/etc.
You don't say your riding experience, did you used to just hack as oppose to school? Or never ridden at all?
If the latter, then I wouldn't even think about getting an unbacked broodmare to be a riding horse.
If the first, then sure, go for it...get a trainer or more experienced person out once a week or similar to give you a hand from the ground and work with you both to get her the right start.

Age is not an issue, but she will take time and will need to be bought into it slowly, as all her muscles will be weak and will need time to strengthen up to be able to carry a rider correctly. In a way, I'd be more careful with a broody than a baby in terms of fitness work.

But like I said, age is not an issue.

Here's my mare, who was also an unbacked broodie till a 10 year old. Best pony I've ever met. She LOVES a busy life and enjoys nothing more than going out competing and lives for work. I [coughDaddycough] paid £1500 for her.

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There's no reason at all why she shouldn't be broken in and used as a riding horse, just get a professional to do it for you please :-) Horses which have spent their lives just being horses in a field, in my experience, don't get bored continuing to do so.
 
I was informed of the horses by a close friend who has proven invaluable to me and is far more knowledgeable than myself.

I have managed to get the mare for £200 only due to where she is from. She is a full warmblood and in good health, altho she needs her hoofs trimming ect.

She is due to have either a Palamino or Dunn foal, whichever i dont mind as long as its healthy. I am going to brush up on things and see if i can get some more text books to extend my knowledge further.

I wouldnt honestly know where to start to be honest with schooling ect. I will obviously see if she takes well to lunging, introduce her slowly to saddle pads, girth and bridle ect. Apart from that she is as new to this as i am xx
 
michellec said:
She is due to have either a Palamino or Dunn foal, whichever i dont mind as long as its healthy. I am going to brush up on things and see if i can get some more text books to extend my knowledge further.

I wouldnt honestly know where to start to be honest with schooling ect. I will obviously see if she takes well to lunging, introduce her slowly to saddle pads, girth and bridle ect. Apart from that she is as new to this as i am xx
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I'd highly advise against this then personally. Not to be a downer on it. Sorry.
 
If you are as inexperienced as you sound, please do not attempt to teach a horse which knows nothing something that you yourself do not know. You cannot train a horse out of books - go to a professional and get your horse soundly broken in and then take lessons.
 
michellec said:
I was informed of the horses by a close friend who has proven invaluable to me and is far more knowledgeable than myself.

I have managed to get the mare for £200 only due to where she is from. She is a full warmblood and in good health, altho she needs her hoofs trimming ect.

She is due to have either a Palamino or Dunn foal, whichever i dont mind as long as its healthy. I am going to brush up on things and see if i can get some more text books to extend my knowledge further.

I wouldnt honestly know where to start to be honest with schooling ect. I will obviously see if she takes well to lunging, introduce her slowly to saddle pads, girth and bridle ect. Apart from that she is as new to this as i am xx
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Riding experience is good, I used to hack but rode mostly in a school environment. I could probably do with some brushing up and will probably seek lessons again when the time comes xx
 
I have excellent bases for knowledge on all aspects of everything. If i find that she doesnt react well i am more than happy to just have her as a family member xx
 
If you've bought a warmblood for so little why not send her somewhere good with the money you've saved?

Some brushing up for a greenie would proabably still be good but you'd avoid the risks of a confusing start.

Those around you that have lots of knowledge would be a start for chasing a reputation and you have time on your side finding the best yard for breaking.
 
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