What age to back a shetland?

[mamahedgepig]

I have a 3yo standard Shetland filly, she is 10.1hh and a quick
learner. She is already quite stocky and has had my 19 month old on her back a
few times. I have been thinking of starting to prepare her for backing but
keep hearing conflicting information about when to start shetlands
due to them maturing later than other equines.

What age would you start a shetland? (vocal aids, lunging, long
reining, wearing tack)What age would you back a shetland?
What weight would you use to back her first?

She will be brought on by me (5ft 1, 8 stone)

Thanks in advance, MamaHedgepig

 

[muckypony]

I have no advice for when to put someone on board but I see no harm in longreining, you can dolloads with them longreining, they're so much fun!!!

 

[NeverSayNever]

very interested in this as I have never heard that they mature late tbh!

 

[mamahedgepig]

Exactly NeverSayNever. I hear they mature late from some people and they mature like the rest from others.
Xx

 

[NeverSayNever]

Well I know the bigger natives, like Sec D's are known for maturing late - but not heard the same for Shetlands? I wouldnt be backing at 3 ay any rate Id wait until next year.

Frances444 on here breeds Shetlands and rides/drives them so would be a good person to ask.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/member.php?47863-Frances144

Alternatively you have find her on here - Shetland Pony Everything blog thread

http://www.trotonline.co.uk/forum/search.php?searchid=3314716

 

[mamahedgepig]

My plan was basic education over the next year and then seeing how she is in a year and going from there. I've been told I'm light enough to back her myself but wanted others opinions as well!
Xx

 

[NeverSayNever]

My plan was basic education over the next year and then seeing how she is in a year and going from there. I've been told I'm light enough to back her myself but wanted others opinions as well!
Xx

God yeh you def light enough if she is a traditional up to height type. Im 8 1/2 stone and plan to back mine when she is 4 all being well

 

[Meowy Catkin]

It's the spine that you need to worry about and that wont be finished growing until the pony is 5 1/2. Bigger horses take even longer than that, but Dr Deb Bennett is very clear that the youngest that any horse/pony is skeletally mature is 5 1/2. I wouldn't want to put the maximum safe weight of rider for an adult shetland (or indeed and breed) until it is fully mature.

 

[FfionWinnie]

I don't think I'd ride her until after she was four but definitely do the rest and have your daughter ride her

 

[purplerain]

I've found them fine to back at 4 with a lightweight adult rider - generally Crash Test Dummy (aka young daughter) will have sat on them before then, in the autumn when they're three. They're generally very bright and a lot of fun, so we like to do lots of interesting groundwork (inhand handy pony type activities) as part of their education too.