what age do you back your young horses

[Spotsrock]

My well matured chunk lightly backed at rising 3 but didn't do much till 4 just gentle hacking and my under developed pba I didn't start till 4 then not much till 5 as she was really slow to grow.

 

[Marydoll]

Handled well and taken out for adventures as they get older, then backed at 4.
I would be careful cantering a 3 year old 17hh horse in the arena much, that's not a lot of space for a big horse and could put strain on the joints. With a backed 3 year old I'd be considering turning away until next spring.

Ive no problem with backing a 3 yo, but agree with much of the above, these big horses can take a while to develop both mentally and physically

 

[4x4]

heavy and light horses, i would mouth and long rein as a 2 yr old and do some ground work and leave back in field till 3, bring in and refreash and start backing and light training and bomeproofing them but no heavy work til 4 or 5. its just i have heard of people backing and jumping at 2 1/2 yr. to me that is so bad for the horses back and joints.

what are your views on this.

Am doing exactly as above and he's still growing!!! We were always told to not ride them too much if the croup is above the withers, which I think is good advice if you want a horse to last. There was a trend not so long ago to get them really going at 5, jumping, dressage etc. and whilst that is OK for dealers/trainers who want to sell and get the best price for a proven youngster I think most of us on here are looking at keeping their horses for as long as possible, therefore slower is better imo.

 

[kippen64]

Two of mine were saddle trained just prior to their fourth birthdays and with my Anglo-Arab/Connemara, I waited until he was five because he was so immature as a three year old and once I did decide to wait longer, then waiting until he was five was easy. The babies have very light work loads. Just a bit of hacking. Am looking forward to my next young horse as my youngster is now nineteen years old.

 

[Britestar]

Depends entirely on the horse. Current rising 4yr old is far to immature to do anything with, so just lead to and from field, and nothing more. He stays in the stables or field alone and doesn't make a fuss, which I think is important.

Maybe at the end of the summer I might do something with him, but happy wnough to leave him unitl he is 5. My last 3 were 6,6 and 5yrs before they did anything.

I think leaving them longer at the beginning, gives you a horse that will last longer in the end.

 

[nikCscott]

Interesting thread especially Shadowboy's post as I'm looking into getting a rising 3 (april) NF to make 13.2hh for my daughter in a couple of years when she grows out of the 11.2hh (she's tall so hope she can wait till he's ready!).

He's been well handled, long reined and shown in hand from a foal.

If I get him, I thought I'd continue long reining and take him out ride and lead once a week and take him along to all the summer shows so he can soak all that in too, then look to backing him in the autumn then turning away until next spring -he'll be 4 then- when I'll break and ride him away myself and start getting my daughter doing a bit on him then probably give hime the winter off and bring him back properly for 2014 he'll be 5 and my daughter will be 8 almost 9- so about perfect I'm hoping.

 

[4x4]

I've done loads of Forest ponies they are generally quite uncomplicated. Sounds like a plan.