When you back/break a horse.

[LouS]

Just curious of people's methods/opinions.

When you back a horse do you get a saddle professionally fitted before you even get on them, or do you just fit one yourself as they're going to be changing shape so much?

Also do you get their back etc checked by a physio before you get on them or do you only do this if you run into problems?

And lastly how would you expect them to be working before you get on them? Working balanced and responsive on long lines in walk, trot and canter? Or do you get on them earlier? I have mine working properly on lines, but I know some people who just get on without doing much groundwork at all.

Would like to hear different people's views.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

I used to back mine bareback, mad now, i am older and more of a chicken so would not do this now. More than likely i would get a treeless or lightweight synthetic as they are going to change shape.

 

[Tinypony]

I back them bareback, then on to a really good quality treeless saddle. I can make sure that fits myself, padded as needed. I like to start off bareback because I want to be able to slide off easily if I've misjudged anything. I would do groundwork and walking out in hand. I've decided I'm not doing any more backing horses, I've done a couple for myself and the initial backing for several friends. However, if I was to change my mind about that I don't think I'd longline, because I have a very specific idea of the contact I would like them to work in, and longlining doesn't help that.

 

[JoBo]

I have only backed one horse my coloured in my sig but:
Yes I had the saddle fitted by a professional before I got on him. He had had a roller and saddlecloth, and dummy on beforehand. He was absolutely fine.

I also had his back checked (we do 3 monthly routine checks on all of ours). He had no problems.

I did approx 4 months of groundwork before getting on. He was wild when I got him and I knew I was backing him to be my safe all-rounder, so just took my time. I lunged (I didn’t do much long lining as I’m not that good at it), walked out in-hand, and did lots of bomb proofing in the school, with flags, cones, tarpaulin etc, etc. Just really getting to know and trust each other.

He has turned in to a fantastic all-rounder, even if I do say so myself. I backed him 2 ½ years ago now.

 

[ecrozier]

We are in the process of backing ours! Started off with a very lightweight rubbishy synthetic so that if he sctratched if/chewed it etc it didn't matter. Still got fit on that checked by v experienced instructor and used a poly pad for extra padding, despite only using for leaning over.
Have now got a leather one to try out which so far seems to be a good fit, will carry on with that for now as instructor/horse all happy and when he is walking/trotting happily in the school, will get that officially checked out by saddler.
We started leaning over once he would quietly lunge/long rein in walk and trot on both reins, down drive, round yard etc. He is an exceptionally chilled out soul though and had he not been, we would have waited longer and taken more slowly! As it was, he's not put a foot wrong....yet!

 

[Jane_Lou]

I broke mine in an old leather saddle with a poly pad underneath. Once they were walking/trotting with a rider I got the saddler to fit them with a 2nd hand leather saddle, They all changed saddles about every 3-4 month for the first year or so but I have a very good saddler, looked after the saddles well and got my money back each time I traded them in.

 

[diggerbez]

[ QUOTE ]
Just curious of people's methods/opinions.

When you back a horse do you get a saddle professionally fitted before you even get on them, or do you just fit one yourself as they're going to be changing shape so much?

Also do you get their back etc checked by a physio before you get on them or do you only do this if you run into problems?

And lastly how would you expect them to be working before you get on them? Working balanced and responsive on long lines in walk, trot and canter? Or do you get on them earlier? I have mine working properly on lines, but I know some people who just get on without doing much groundwork at all.

Would like to hear different people's views.

[/ QUOTE ]

personally i don't bother getting the saddle checked and fitted properly...i figure this would be quite difficult as most babies won't stand and be poked and prodded by a saddle fitter if they are going to do the job properly...

i just try to check saddle myself that its not pressing on withers etc etc and then get it checked properly after a few months...with backs i just keep my eye out for signs of problems but wouldn't have a back check per se unless i saw a problem. with mine i like them to be lungeing/long reining politely, accepting side reins happily and being responsive to voice aids...then i'd lean over them and take it from there....i'd expect them to be fairly balanced in walk and trot but i wouldn't be too worried about the canter

 

[yeeharider]

I agree used to break horses as a living did initial leaning over in roller and polypad the just used old leather saddle with polypad for starting them just checking basic fit so not pinching etc