When to back? Conflicting advice...

[Gracie21]

Please be patient with me haha!

I've had some conflicting and confusing advice from those in the 'know'...

He's 14.2 PBA, 3, we've spent up until now showing in hand. He's having 6 weeks off before the New Forest Show then a string of championships. He's a good weight, has filled out well but has more to come I expect. He happily wears his saddle, long reins gently, has lunged a couple of times really well and walks out on the road with no issues.

My plan: Get him 'ready' to back now, but not sit on him until September time. Keep him ticking over with long reining and lunging a couple of times a week in short sessions (15mins). Get him going quietly over the winter and hopefully bring him back as a ridden pony mid season next year.

However, various times people (well respected show bods & even a couple of judges and people at my yard) have said to us that they'd sit on him now, or in a few weeks. If he's happy then why not. Might as well get him slowly started then plod about the lanes for a while.

Another person has said they wouldn't back him until he was 4 so not to rush him.

Now, I really don't think I'm rushing him. He is so willing to work and is very mature about it. Every one says "Do what you think is best by him"... Well I'm not really sure what that is! He is a real gem to do and I don't see either way doing him harm.

What would you do?

This is the most recent picture I have of him.. A few weeks old
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...0917052685693.762787.653215692&type=3&theater

 

[xspiralx]

I think if he was mine I would lightly back him now, get the basics established and give him a few weeks doing some light hacking over the summer. Then turn him away over winter and bring him back next Spring as a rising 4yr old.

 

[TuscanBunnyGirl]

I can't see the pic but he is your horse so do what you feel comfortable with. You could have a sit and see how he feels, you can always jump off again Best of luck with whatever decision you make

 

[zaminda]

I would go with your instincts. You can always sit on a few times, you don't have to do much with him, just play around with him.

 

[tristar]

well i think your plan is great!

don't listen to others, you never know what a mess they have made of the job.

i think its absolutely the right plan, even is you don't back till 4, he will be full prepared, have the necessary muscle on his back, a little fitness and total confidence,

i wish more people did that way, preparation is everything, the final step is the backing and success of that rests on the work done before, so you can ride the baby forward and gently and correctly from the word go.