Where do you find your young competition horses to loan?

[rachyblue]

I'm doing some research for the future as I have a youngster who will be ready for backing next year.

I know he is going to be too big (and probably too much) for me but I don't want to sell him as I love him to bits. Equally I don't want him to be wasted, he's too good for that.

How would I go about finding him a rider, and if you were that rider would you prefer to take him backed or not?

 

[Princess Jess]

You could try contacting local pro riders or a young up and coming rider - most are always keen for extra rides.
I guess it kind of depends what level you expect him to reach.
Hope you find a rider though, sounds very exciting

 

[kaya]

I'm doing some research for the future as I have a youngster who will be ready for backing next year.

I know he is going to be too big (and probably too much) for me but I don't want to sell him as I love him to bits. Equally I don't want him to be wasted, he's too good for that.

How would I go about finding him a rider, and if you were that rider would you prefer to take him backed or not?

i would say un backed , as they can bring him on to how they expect their horses to go, but start having a play so like lunging and putting saddle on etc

 

[TarrSteps]

i would say un backed , as they can bring him on to how they expect their horses to go, but start having a play so like lunging and putting saddle on etc

That might very well be the case but I have to say, I would not necessarily send a horse to be backed by a "competition" pro or young rider without experience backing horses. Exceptional athletes CAN be very easy to start but some need a bit more care and patience than the average. Professional yards with a strong competition bent are often quite regimented and not always able to give a young horse the extra time it might need, and riders who are experienced in the ring are not necessarily always the most experienced with unbacked horses. One of the most comedy jobs I ever had was starting youngsters for a SJ trainer who had decided to breed a few. She was constantly surprised by how they behaved! The also stopped breeding immediately after the first one got backed and went back to buying from a breeder/producer.

 

[Goldenstar]

That might very well be the case but I have to say, I would not necessarily send a horse to be backed by a "competition" pro or young rider without experience backing horses. Exceptional athletes CAN be very easy to start but some need a bit more care and patience than the average. Professional yards with a strong competition bent are often quite regimented and not always able to give a young horse the extra time it might need, and riders who are experienced in the ring are not necessarily always the most experienced with unbacked horses. One of the most comedy jobs I ever had was starting youngsters for a SJ trainer who had decided to breed a few. She was constantly surprised by how they behaved! The also stopped breeding immediately after the first one got backed and went back to buying from a breeder/producer.

I agree the best people to back horses are people who do it all the time and specialise in it its a particular and unvalued skill .
You need to start asking around your area and see what people advise.

 

[rachyblue]

I already have someone lined up to back him if needs be, maybe I wasn't clear, I'm after someone to take him on a long-term loan and treat him as their own. He's a lot of horse for a freebie - his half siblings are selling well, but I don't want to part with him forever and loan would mean I would be able to insist I still had contact with him - once you sell you have no way of making this happen.