What do you prefer?

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

A few years back, when I was looking for a project pony/horse to bring on, I was in between the decisions of getting one that was already backed or getting one that's unbacked. I ended getting an unbacked 3 year old. I really enjoyed the backing process, although a little stressful at times still worth it! I'm just curious to see what you'd go for?

 

[sassandbells]

I generally prefer unbacked as you don’t have to undo anyone else’s mistakes! That being said, I wouldn’t say no to a youngster who has been backed by a professional with a good reputation.

 

[toppedoff]

If I could, I'd prefer to buy an unbacked project. I'm really interested in learning it, it does seem really interesting and rewarding to do!

 

[Esmae]

6 month old weanling foal. A real joy to teach and eventually produce. I have done a few and would do more if I was a younger soul.

 

[blitznbobs]

I tend to buy foals these days

 

[ponynutz]

I’d love to buy unbacked, is a dream of mine to save the money to do it as I’d need so much help, it’d be my first time.

 

[ycbm]

I've done both. I find it very rewarding both to make a horse from scratch and to resolve issues given to the horse by other people.
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[SadKen]

Unbacked. So I could send it to a pro who I know would do a great job breaking it, ready for me to bring on.

Frankly I’ve seen too many poorly broken horses to want to take the risk.

Taking a 3yo from its field, doing zero groundwork, putting tack on it and getting on it in the course of a day or two isn’t breaking it in. But quite a few people think it is! And I don’t want them near any horse I am going to ride.

 

[J&S]

I have done two from scratch and they have both been unmitigated successes, bought a backed 5 year old and got myself 10 years of trouble trying to unknit all the wrong stitches!!

 

[Caol Ila]

Let's once again return to our fun scale.

Producing something that has been lightly backed by a pro, with all the groundwork, perfectly mannered and ready to go: Type I fun

Backing yourself from unhandled: Type II fun

Unraveling someone else's problems: Type II or III fun, depending on how nuts it is

Riding a well schooled, well produced horse who can do all the things, and you don't have to train at all: Type I fun

 

[ycbm]

Let's once again return to our fun scale.

Producing something that has been lightly backed by a pro, with all the groundwork, perfectly mannered and ready to go: Type I fun

Backing yourself from unhandled: Type II fun

Unraveling someone else's problems: Type II or III fun, depending on how nuts it is

Riding a well schooled, well produced horse who can do all the things, and you don't have to train at all: Type I fun

My fun ranking is different from yours, I thrive on making changes so your type 1 fun would not be mine.
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[ycbm]

Taking a 3yo from its field, doing zero groundwork, putting tack on it and getting on it in the course of a day or two isn’t breaking it in. But quite a few people think it is! And I don’t want them near any horse I am going to ride.

There's more than one way to swing a cat, and there are plenty of good horses who were backed without long reining first and who accepted tack so readily that they could be sat on straight away. Of course it isn't "broken" at that point and the detail is in how it's ridden away.
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[Barton Bounty]

I prefer unbacked and to start them on my own properly instead of undoing other peoples errors

 

[Auslander]

I'd take a backed one from a pro or a really good horseman whose methods were in line with my own, and an unbacked one over something that has been backed by someone who thinks they can do it themselves without any prior experience/support from a pro.
In my line of work, I come across a LOT of horses who have never been taught to be polite members of society - it's not their fault, as they don't know any better, but it's them that have to learn the tough lessons about boundaries and behaviour towards humans.

 

[SadKen]

There's more than one way to swing a cat, and there are plenty of good horses who were backed without long reining first and who accepted tack so readily that they could be sat on straight away. Of course it isn't "broken" at that point and the detail is in how it's ridden away.
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I’m sure you’re right but I’ve never met any, I’ve only met ones which were confused and frightened, didn’t understand any aids and reacted negatively as a result. I would rather do it ‘properly’ than take an unnecessary chance with something so crucial to the horse’s future.

 

[ycbm]

I’m sure you’re right but I’ve never met any, I’ve only met ones which were confused and frightened, didn’t understand any aids and reacted negatively as a result. I would rather do it ‘properly’ than take an unnecessary chance with something so crucial to the horse’s future.

Well I and the horse in my avatar, would disagree with your use of the word "properly". It's perfectly possible to teach horses the aids on board. Almost every horse I post photos of myself on was trained that way and every time I've sold one I've been congratulated on how they respond to the aids.

I don't believe horses are able to make anywhere near as close a connection between ridden aids and in hand aids as is generally believed.

I've also found that with most horses moving off the leg is a preprogrammed button, but of course if you've done a lot of groundwork first you would believe that is something you have trained in.
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[southerncomfort]

I much prefer a blank canvas with a known history.

I bought my current pony straight from the breeder as an unspoilt, unbacked 4 year old. I love the early education, preparing them for backing, introducing first saddle, first rider etc.

You get an immense sense of pride from producing your own, but it is very time consuming!