When to Back My Youngster?

3Beasties

3Beasties

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I have been thinking a lot lately about when the best time to back my youngster is, I can't decide whether to do it this Summer or to wait till next Spring.

According to her Passport she has just turned 3 but she was a late foal so technically she isn't 3 until around July time. She is a welsh type, currently standing at about 14.2hh. I'm over 6 ft tall so am obviously going to be to big for her which adds to my worry!

My options are -

1. Back her late summer, gently ride her for a couple of months, hacking and a bit of schooling, maybe a couple of outings to do W&T Stressage just to get her out and about, and then turn away for the Winter and bring her back into work the following Spring.


2. Leave he out for the Summer, just bringing in for grooming, hoof trimming etc. and then back her next Spring, do all the above and then turn her away for a couple of months before bringing her back into work and starting again.


3. Do lots of groundwork over the Summer, long reining, a small amount of lunging, get her used to tack, walk out in hand down the roads etc. and then turn away over Winter with the aim of backing her in the Spring.

4. You can add your own ideas!


Everyone I speak to seems to have different ideas, part of me is desperate to get on and do it but the other part of me wants to wait as I don't want to rush it and do to much to soon.

Here is a picture of her from last Summer just so you can see what I'm dealing with -

Photo060.jpg


Any help, thoughts, ideas would be much appreciated please!
 
Option 3. :)

3. Do lots of groundwork over the Summer, long reining, a small amount of lunging, get her used to tack, walk out in hand down the roads etc. and then turn away over Winter with the aim of backing her in the Spring.
Click to expand...
 
She looks quite well developed, so shouldn't need to wait another year. I would have expected some groundwork to have been done before even thinking of breaking anyway - so option three is the way forward at the moment - there is no need to wait for summer to start groundwork. I'd start now, getting her used to the school, tack, lungeing, leading out etc. By the end of summer she could be backed. I would then spend autumn and winter doing light work rather than turning away - I'm not a fan of it. Just hack out a couple of times a week (not marathons) getting her used to traffic, and hazzads etc, plus one session of easy schooling per week, with lots of "being a horse" time in the field to keep her happy. I wouldn't be thinking of any shows/dressage yet - except perhaps take her to a few shows over the summer, just let her walk around and take it all in. Get her used to the trailer/box too.

If you're not sure, and haven't done this before, get yourself an experienced instructor who can advise you and help you - perhaps one who does breaking and schooling too...
 
Since she is born late I would wait until after July - so she is at least 3. I would consider turn away on grass with a herd now until late summer/autumn, start working her on the ground then, and back in winter. However, you know your horse best and can judge how mature she is both physically and mentally.
 
I would do 3 and actually am with my boy. He was also late (September!) so I've left him until now to do it, he's rising 4 this year.

I've done everything you've said in point 3 and I honestly feel he's ready now.

But then, you know your horse and everyone will have differing opinions, so do what you feel is right for her :)
 
I think 3 is far to young to be doing anything more than sitting on them for a minute. Everyone seems to worry about their legs and joints at a young age yet it's their back that takes the longest to finish growing (5yrs+).

I would go for option 3 (unless she's not mentally ready, in which case option 2) but I would include 'backing' her at the end of the summer: get her used to a rider sitting on top of her and moving about with one.

I have one a year older and he was doing a little longreining and wearing tack from 2yr olds and going for short walks. Then last autumn (when he was 3.5) he was sat on and walked about a little and taught to go, stop and turn. 'riding' was literally 5mins max, if that. He also went for short walks with my tiny (6st) mum on board and she hopped on and off so he carried a weight for no more than 5mins. He's legs and joints may have stopped growing but I'd like his back to last a lifetime!

This year I'm going to start getting him fit but without much time spent sitting on him back, so lots of long inhand walks (and getting me fit too)
 
i would do some hand on stuff to keep her in tune like walks grooming etc. maybe even some in hand stuff but would start backing her jan feb next year weather permited not before then. Also not to much lunging just long riening as lunging puts to much a strain on young joints
 
I agree totally with Kallibear. You should aim to have a really well mannered pony on the ground that is unflappable - look at Kelly Marks Perfect Manners, for instance. Wait until the weather improves so you can get going and keep it up, doing some on the ground exercises at home. Go to shows if you can. I know that not everyone has transport, but I think it is really worth the effort to go to three or four shows in hand. Doesn't matter where you come, but the whole business of preparing for a show, standing up, trotting in hand, going in the ring and seeing lots of strange horses is just so good and will save a lot of angst later on.

I think you should get the tack on and sit on and do a little bit of riding in the autumn and then start again next spring, gently as she will still be under 4.
 
1 unless she's particularly emotionally immature, she'll probably enjoy doing something different and fun for a few months, keep it light and enjoyable for her.
 
Having backed many horses and ponies you have to listen to and let the youngster, tell you want they are ready for.
He looks well grow and it good health, so i would wait until july and do lots of ground work and when you both feel ready get on and ride away.
Only ride for short periods of time no more than 1/2 hour. Take him out and about to a few shows inhand. He is too young to show under saddle most shows say they must be 4 years old for a reson. When the bad weather arrives hope fully some time around christmas, turn away to a rest, a good couple of months.
Then in the spring go through the whole process again, this time adding those w&t tests.
Enjoy your youngster its the most rewarding experiance.:)
 
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