Who's raised,backed & produced their own horse from a yearling?

[Doublethyme]

I'm a hobby rider, had a couple of just backed 4 year olds before (one small Irish type and one old fashioned warmblood type). Then i bought a 17 month old Hanoverian with nearly 70% tb blood. Probably completely overhorsed myself and my now 9 year old has masses more talent than I'll ever have, but she's my horse of a lifetime and I adore her. I took it tortoise slow and we've had a couple of blips but nothing insurmountable. I will remember the day i backed her forever and every little special moment we have achieved. Would i do it again, yep.....although wish I was 20 years younger!

 

[Farma]

I had one from 6 months old, that was 24 years ago, it was hugely challenging but very rewarding, she was my horse of a lifetime purely because we went through so much together over the years, I lost her a few years ago and although I have other horses I am now breeding my own which is due in a few weeks as I just don't feel like I will ever have that connection with another horse unless I have it from the beginning.
I do think you have to be careful about your own ability as backing and breaking is a specialist job for some horses and you have to be pretty brave at times, I ate dirt quite a few times in the beginning!
I would say if you are looking for a forever horse having one from a foal is definitely something worth doing, just be realistic and get help if you need it!

 

[Wagtail]

Although I've worked with foals and youngsters, backed and ridden them away when I was younger and it was my job, I left it twenty years before getting my own unbroken youngster. At the same time one of my liveries put her mare in foal here. She never handled him as she is very novice so that was left to me. I brought him up until age 3 but at 17.2 and quite boistrous I decided he would be too much for me and advised he be sent away for backing. I was starting to get ill, though at that time I didn't know what was wrong with me. I lightly backed the youngster I had bought for myself but then she was put on hold due to my ill health. Finally, I think I am on top of my illness but she is now a strong willful 6 year old that is a madam when in season. I decided to send her away to be ridden away and am pleased that I did. She's back again now but the jury is out as to whether we will be a good team. She likes to spend a lot of time on her hind legs when in season. She's worse, if anything since going away. I'm persevering, but it's pretty exhausting. My gut says she'll be worth it in the end, if she doesn't kill me first!

 

[Andiamo]

All of mine, bar 2 where bought at 6 months of age. Bred one and reared it and bought one at 3 unbroken. There is nothing more satisfying than rearing your own. Plus the trust they have in you is solid and you get to know them inside out.

Did you notice a difference in the behaviour and trust between you the ones you had from babies and the one you bought as a 3 year old?

 

[Andiamo]

bought my frst Highland pony when she was 20 months she is 22 now and has done absolutely everything
First day I saw her

22 years young

wow, what a sweetie! Incredible that you've had most of your lives together!! She is probably more like a sister! Wishing you many more happy years together!

 

[Andiamo]

I have done one from 15 months old and another I bred and I still have the horse, it is very rewarding.

Benefits from the yearling - un spoilt and she was a blank canvas and being so turned out to be an amazing horse.

Great, may I ask what breed they are?

 

[Andiamo]

Well, I've bred, reared, trained and ridden many, many foals over many, many years. A couple have gone on to compete at FEI levels (with me or their new owners), some have been duds, most have been nice middle-of-the-road types. You can't really tell what the future will be, and I wouldn't bother with a young horse these days; I like to get them when they are 6 - 10 and already showing what they can do. Very young horses are a gamble: so much for "potential".....

What breed were they, just out of curiosity? I'm wondering if breed also makes a difference in how easy they are to bond with in the younger years, and if at backing time if that close bond outweighs the individual breed characteristics? i.e. a cob versus a warmblood.

 

[ycbm]

Did you notice a difference in the behaviour and trust between you the ones you had from babies and the one you bought as a 3 year old?

I know this question is for AA, but it applies the other way round too, so I thought I'd answer.

I wouldn't say I had any different a relationship with my one bought as a yearling than I do with my current pair bought as four year olds or any of the others bought as older horses. It meant more to me to have had him and seen him grow than it did to him.

 

[Andiamo]

I had one from 6 months old, that was 24 years ago, it was hugely challenging but very rewarding, she was my horse of a lifetime purely because we went through so much together over the years, I lost her a few years ago and although I have other horses I am now breeding my own which is due in a few weeks as I just don't feel like I will ever have that connection with another horse unless I have it from the beginning.
I do think you have to be careful about your own ability as backing and breaking is a specialist job for some horses and you have to be pretty brave at times, I ate dirt quite a few times in the beginning!
I would say if you are looking for a forever horse having one from a foal is definitely something worth doing, just be realistic and get help if you need it!

I'd be enlisting the help of a pro for backing, but I can do a lot of the prep work for months before, and be involved in the actual backing. I can control the pace at which the horse is backed...so if I want it to be over a few months, then so be it. Much better than a quick 2 week stressy turnaround by some backing yards, where you get a stress case back to your stable after a very expensive "professional" process, and you have to spend months undoing the damage they did....

 

[Cortez]

What breed were they, just out of curiosity? I'm wondering if breed also makes a difference in how easy they are to bond with in the younger years, and if at backing time if that close bond outweighs the individual breed characteristics? i.e. a cob versus a warmblood.

I bred Trakheners, so they were mostly that, but I used to break horses for a living so have had everything from carthorses to Tennessee Walking Horses (I was in the US for may years). Some breeds are dumber than others, but you adjust how you train according to the individual.

I have to say that there really isn't very much difference between having them from foals/yearlings, or starting to train at 3 or 4 unless the horse has been very spoiled or over handled by the people rearing it.

I would also say that you must choose your "professional" carefully, especially if they are claiming to do the job in 2 weeks. I would never take a horse in for breaking for less than 6 weeks, and some would need a bit longer.

The idea of rearing a weanling or yearling in order to "bond" is a bit romantic IMO. Young horses are much better left out in groups to rear themselves with the minimum of handling, so other than for reasons of economy in purchase price (which is also a bit romantic, actually, considering all the inputs you'll have to make) there would not be many advantages that I could see.

 

[paddy555]

I got several of ours as babies ie 6m to 1yr. Something can go wrong and they can die young but there is always the risk with an older horse that after a couple of months you can discover it's medical problems or that it is a complete nutter in certain situations however much you have researched it. It can also die very soon after purchase.

With having them from young you know exactly what they have done and learnt. I do lots of work before backing at 4. I definitely don't leave them in the field to get on with growing. At 2 mine is now traffic trained including tractors, trailers, diggers etc. We do lots of walks out, he is now learning for example to keep calm when the lead horse goes off in front and disappears from sight. All these are little things but just so useful when you come to ride. He already is used to the dummy being thrown over his back and carrying it. They learn to "work" and love it. We have spells when he is bum high, looks dreadful or decides he is going to start biting when we work but I don't look at him, (I know from his parents how he will turn out) and if he gets stroppy I put him away for a few days to grow out of it. Backing is easy. They have done so much before it becomes a non event.
I backed one 4yo in a headcollar, no hat, no saddle and no one to help me. He was so calm having done so much I just decided to climb on board one day. I knew I had a good enough bond and trust with him after we had been together for so long. I am not a brilliant rider and he was an arab stallion.

Getting them young also means they can be moulded to fit in with your regime. I got a 4yo who had never been stabled. He was dreadful about it and even at 12 he is not very keen. That made a spell in cage stables at horse hospital very difficult.
As for how they ride then they are not machines. I adapt my riding to how they go.

 

[Andiamo]

I bred Trakheners, so they were mostly that, but I used to break horses for a living so have had everything from carthorses to Tennessee Walking Horses (I was in the US for may years). Some breeds are dumber than others, but you adjust how you train according to the individual.

I have to say that there really isn't very much difference between having them from foals/yearlings, or starting to train at 3 or 4 unless the horse has been very spoiled or over handled by the people rearing it.

I would also say that you must choose your "professional" carefully, especially if they are claiming to do the job in 2 weeks. I would never take a horse in for breaking for less than 6 weeks, and some would need a bit longer.

The idea of rearing a weanling or yearling in order to "bond" is a bit romantic IMO. Young horses are much better left out in groups to rear themselves with the minimum of handling, so other than for reasons of economy in purchase price (which is also a bit romantic, actually, considering all the inputs you'll have to make) there would not be many advantages that I could see.

If you read what I wrote again, I've stated that a two week backing by a pro is not something I want - it is something that is offered by many "pro's". I said that I would prefer to do it over several months. I would NEVER put a horse in somewhere for a 2 week backing. But many people do, and I have seen it go horribly wrong, with months worth of work needed to rebuild the horse's confidence.

Sorry if you feel it is "romantic" to have a youngster. If you read the other posts, many have found it very rewarding.

 

[Cortez]

If you read what I wrote again, I've stated that a two week backing by a pro is not something I want - it is something that is offered by many "pro's". I said that I would prefer to do it over several months. I would NEVER put a horse in somewhere for a 2 week backing. But many people do, and I have seen it go horribly wrong, with months worth of work needed to rebuild the horse's confidence.

Sorry if you feel it is "romantic" to have a youngster. If you read the other posts, many have found it very rewarding.

No need to get stroppy, I am trying to help you and answer your question. I am one of the many, and yes it is rewarding, but it is not necessarily the best or most practical or economic way to produce a riding horse. It sounds to me as if you have already made your mind up based on your idea of how things will proceed. I am giving you the perspective of years of actually doing it. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Andiamo]

I got several of ours as babies ie 6m to 1yr. Something can go wrong and they can die young but there is always the risk with an older horse that after a couple of months you can discover it's medical problems or that it is a complete nutter in certain situations however much you have researched it. It can also die very soon after purchase.

With having them from young you know exactly what they have done and learnt. I do lots of work before backing at 4. I definitely don't leave them in the field to get on with growing. At 2 mine is now traffic trained including tractors, trailers, diggers etc. We do lots of walks out, he is now learning for example to keep calm when the lead horse goes off in front and disappears from sight. All these are little things but just so useful when you come to ride. He already is used to the dummy being thrown over his back and carrying it. They learn to "work" and love it. We have spells when he is bum high, looks dreadful or decides he is going to start biting when we work but I don't look at him, (I know from his parents how he will turn out) and if he gets stroppy I put him away for a few days to grow out of it. Backing is easy. They have done so much before it becomes a non event.
I backed one 4yo in a headcollar, no hat, no saddle and no one to help me. He was so calm having done so much I just decided to climb on board one day. I knew I had a good enough bond and trust with him after we had been together for so long. I am not a brilliant rider and he was an arab stallion.

Getting them young also means they can be moulded to fit in with your regime. I got a 4yo who had never been stabled. He was dreadful about it and even at 12 he is not very keen. That made a spell in cage stables at horse hospital very difficult.
As for how they ride then they are not machines. I adapt my riding to how they go.

Thanks for sharing this paddy555. You are 100% right about everything here. I also planned to do exactly what you've done - going for walks in-hand, tractor training, training, alone and with others, so that he is used to everything from a young age. I've also heard that the backing is a non-event when you've done so much with them beforehand. That's pretty incredible that you backed a 4 yr old Arab stallion on your own, it sounds like he let you know he was ready. My friend will take her yearling to two in-hand showing events this year. He's been to one already, he got in the trailer like he'd done it loads of times before (he hasn't), he travelled well and was an angel at the show and came home in ribbons. The next one is a big show, which might be overwhelming, but should be a really good experience as well. The nice thing is, my friend and I will be able to take them together to do these things, and they'll live in a field together, so they will be best friends growing up, and will do all sorts of things together.

I had a PRE as a 4 year old which had just been left in a massive herd (100's of horses) in Spain to grow up, with very little human contact...he was a nutter, wild, very difficult to handle, he'd had no socialisation, had never seen a tractor or deer, he would bolt when frightened. I want to avoid that, by getting the youngster used to all sorts of things between 1-4 years old. The youngster will have plenty of time to be a horse as well, but along the way, there will be all sorts of training and getting used to everyday things.

 

[Tnavas]

I've brought on a few and only one was a disaster - he managed to get under a fence and get cast and while struggling to get himself out ruptured his hip joint.

It is fun and the majority will turn out well. Its a great sense of achievement to produce your young horse, and even if you sell it on there is still the pride in preparing a well mannered young horse.I still follow the career of some of mine.

 

[Andiamo]

No need to get stroppy, I am trying to help you and answer your question. I am one of the many, and yes it is rewarding, but it is not necessarily the best or most practical or economic way to produce a riding horse. It sounds to me as if you have already made your mind up based on your idea of how things will proceed. I am giving you the perspective of years of actually doing it. I wish you the best of luck.

I'm not being stroppy, sorry if you saw it that way. I appreciate your view, it's just that it's not the only view or experience here. Many people have really enjoyed doing things this way, and they have found it to create the best bond possible.

 

[canteron]

Just to throw into the pot ........

I bought a 4 month old last year which is now just over 1 year old. To my surprise I have loved having a youngster and seeing how she is developing. It has also made me brush up - and learn new - groundwork skills.

If you buy reasonably well you can always sell at 3yo if it's not what you want. There are no certainties when buying a horse it's going to be exactly what you want anyway!

 

[Andiamo]

Just to throw into the pot ........

I bought a 4 month old last year which is now just over 1 year old. To my surprise I have loved having a youngster and seeing how she is developing. It has also made me brush up - and learn new - groundwork skills.

If you buy reasonably well you can always sell at 3yo if it's not what you want. There are no certainties when buying a horse it's going to be exactly what you want anyway!

Thanks for sharing! Great that is is going well. Anything with horses is a risk...buying an older horse is also a risk. I also think the journey will be fun and nice to see the horse developing. I'm prepared also, if it turns out to be the wrong fit at 3-4 years old, to sell on, at least it will have had a nice upbringing.

 

[canteron]

No need to get stroppy, I am trying to help you and answer your question. I am one of the many, and yes it is rewarding, but it is not necessarily the best or most practical or economic way to produce a riding horse. It sounds to me as if you have already made your mind up based on your idea of how things will proceed. I am giving you the perspective of years of actually doing it. I wish you the best of luck.

This probably sum it up. If you are totally results orientated then it is a gamble. If the process is going to give you pleasure then go for it.

I did the one sensible thing in my horsey life when I bought my foal - I took advice from a friend who has had amazing success in the showing field producing youngsters so mitigated the risk this way! But to be honest she is such a family friend now that even if she doesn't live up to her promise she is a keeper!

 

[lucky7]

Me!
I have done 3,
First being my cob, bought as a yearling and backed myself - i did however have some help with her for about a week everyday. She's now 9 and does a bit of everything. Then i had a little section a which i sold on. I also have a welsh D who again was a yearling and did the same as above and hes a nice safe alrounder too, hes 7. I still have both these horses
I am planning on getting another yearling hopefully next year, i would like a warmblood this time or the other option was to put my lovely cob in foal in a few years time, she has the most amazing laid back attitude but shes very forward thinking, safe but not a plod, i know the lady who bred her and her mum is exactly the same! I want to put her with a nice TB to get something (hopefully) a bit more athletic but with a nice temperament and hopefully her attitude.

 

[Nasicus]

Currently raising my first youngster, she's just gone two.
Cost wise, she's definitely cost me more than it would have to just by something backed and ready to go. What with vets bills, box rest, surgery (a whacking great gash in the hind right and a false nostril cyst removal), feed, rugs, equipment so on and so forth.
In terms of education though, she has been priceless. She's taught me so much about reading and understanding body language, handling fractious horses (three months of box rest at 1 1/2yrs turned my placid baby into the devil spawn until she was released back out!), and teaching her things has been so rewarding.

Would I get another youngster if I had lofty goals in mind? Nah, too much uncertainty.
But would I get another just for the enjoyment of raising a baby and seeing where the wind takes us? Definitely

 

[windand rain]

I bred one foal from the old girl who I have done everything with. Some things Cortez says I would agree with you can spoil a young horse by doing too much. I showed her as a foal on her mum twice at county shows so she met all sorts of traffic. I showed her a few times as a yearling and she got used to bathing, loading, travelling and all the sights and sounds of the world. I showed her fewer times as a two year old but did some despooking on two afternoons not that she needed it she was quite happy to stand beside me while I put up umbrellas and pegged plastic bags on a washing line. At three she did a lot of shows went out on lead hacks both in front and behind others, as the ridden horses went off on their hack I would turn back and take her home a different way. but my guess would be that she spent less than 1% of her life to 4 being handled. The rest of the time she lived in a small herd. She was easy to back. easy to ride away and is easy to handle on the ground I could literally take her anywhere and I could be happy she will just stand and wait for the next instruction. To ride she is very forward going but I think that is probably more nature than nurture and a little unusual in a highland. She now is a brave eventing pony who wouldnt dream at stopping at a fence maybe I should have spent a bit more time on her brakes though

 

[eggs]

I have bred 4 foals and bought another 4 foals as companions to the homebred foals - all were sports horse bred mainly bred along dressage lines. I backed them all. However three of them died at three years old - 1 in an accident, one due to colic and one due to cancer. Although I keep them at home it is not a cheap option getting them to the ridden stage. Of the five that lived 2 are now working psg, 1 (the oldest and quirkiest) is working at medium, 1 is working at medium and BE at novice and the other who on paper is the most talented - well I don't quite know what she is working at - she can piaffe and do tempi changes but her 20m trot circles leave something to be desired. If I am completely honest I would probably not have bought three of them if I had tried them as four or five year olds.

I am very fond of all my horses but couldn't say I have a better bond with them than any of the adult horses I have bought over the years. I also think that an individual horse's personality is very important as to what the adult horse is likely to be - mine have all been brought up in much the same way. Some of them take everything in their stride, some are still spooky little beggars, some are sharp, some are laid back.

Originally I bought into the whole desensitising thing but again have found over the years that it doesn't really seem to make any difference and with the later foals they were very much left to their own devices in a big field with their mates (they were caught in each day for a check over and feed) and one of these is he only one that I would consider riding through a busy town.

It can be very rewarding bringing on your own youngster but not necessarily the better option.

 

[amandaco2]

I've bought all mine aged between 3 and 5 unbacked.
Bred one.
All been super tho the lastest mare is a challenge, only 18th day under saddle so early days as yet....

 

[Andiamo]

I have bred 4 foals and bought another 4 foals as companions to the homebred foals - all were sports horse bred mainly bred along dressage lines. I backed them all. However three of them died at three years old - 1 in an accident, one due to colic and one due to cancer. Although I keep them at home it is not a cheap option getting them to the ridden stage. Of the five that lived 2 are now working psg, 1 (the oldest and quirkiest) is working at medium, 1 is working at medium and BE at novice and the other who on paper is the most talented - well I don't quite know what she is working at - she can piaffe and do tempi changes but her 20m trot circles leave something to be desired. If I am completely honest I would probably not have bought three of them if I had tried them as four or five year olds.

I am very fond of all my horses but couldn't say I have a better bond with them than any of the adult horses I have bought over the years. I also think that an individual horse's personality is very important as to what the adult horse is likely to be - mine have all been brought up in much the same way. Some of them take everything in their stride, some are still spooky little beggars, some are sharp, some are laid back.

Originally I bought into the whole desensitising thing but again have found over the years that it doesn't really seem to make any difference and with the later foals they were very much left to their own devices in a big field with their mates (they were caught in each day for a check over and feed) and one of these is he only one that I would consider riding through a busy town.

It can be very rewarding bringing on your own youngster but not necessarily the better option.

You've been through the wars, that must have been heartbreaking to lose 3 of them, it's almost inconceivable. You make an interesting point "If I am completely honest I would probably not have bought three of them if I had tried them as four or five year olds." It's something to consider.

 

[eggs]

You've been through the wars, that must have been heartbreaking to lose 3 of them, it's almost inconceivable. You make an interesting point "If I am completely honest I would probably not have bought three of them if I had tried them as four or five year olds." It's something to consider.

Yes it was heartbreaking, the first who died in an accident was my the first foal I bred and was showing a lot of talent as well as being exceptionally nice to have around. After that happened I was talking to an experienced breeder who reckoned you were lucky if you only lost about 25% of youngsters before the age of four.

 

[DabDab]

Honestly? I would say, no don't do it, not in your situation.
I always buy youngsters unbacked as that's what I love and find rewarding.....but I don't care what they're capable of when all grown up.
The vast majority I have backed, produced a bit and sold on, because they weren't my cup of tea. That's fine for me because I don't really have any competitive ambitions.
You sound like you specifically want a very well bred horse, to do a decent level of dressage on. What if it doesn't turn out to be capable or trainable enough for what you want? By the time it is 4 you will be so invested that you probably won't notice any limitations straight away...you may spend considerable money, time and emotion trying to make it what you want it to be.
So just ask yourself - if the yearling doesn't grow into what you want them to be, will you be content adjusting your expectations? Or have the detachment to be able to sell them on? If the answer is yes, then go ahead, do it for the experience

 

[spacefaer]

I am currently helping a friend back her homebred 4 yr old. He is proving very easy, as she has handled him and done a lot of groundwork over the last 4 years. We didn't start him last year as he was just too big and soft-jointed. I did have to have words with her about 18 months ago, as he was turning into a homebred thug, who was beginning to lack the concept of personal space and was dreadfully bitey.

That is the risk of having them as babies - they're so sweet and in your face - until they turn into 16.2 of muggy gelding, who walks all over you.

In terms of knowing what you are getting, a few years ago I had 3 young horses to start - all bred by the same woman, and brought up by her on her farm. Full brothers too. The oldest one was a thug - would bite and kick and was just generally unwilling to work with you. The middle one was very difficult to break, but a delight once he was being ridden away. The third had been left entire until he was 3 and was bolshy and aggressive. The oldest and youngest were sold for 100s, the middle one for 100,000s. All had had the same start in life, and the same genetic makeup.

It's a massive gamble

 

[WelshD]

Bit different for me as I have ponies but I bought a yearling a while back because I could see even from pics from him as a foal (I had wanted to buy him as a foal but wasn't set up to keep one) that he was going to be a fab pony. When he came up for sale as a yearling I snapped him up without even viewing him.

He is four now and I have absolutely no regrets, he has seen a fair bit of life over the last few years and will soon go for breaking in - I am not competent or light enough to do it but I do think its not necessarily a bad thing anyway as sometimes we can get a bit precious about our equines and pussy foot around too much and someone who has a more businesslike approach to breaking in will often be more efficient

The pony has been treated largely as a pet but I did make sure that he had a winter of running out with youngstock last winter so he had one last blast before grown up life kicked in

If I were to set out to buy him now as a four year old I almost certainly wouldn't be able to afford to, he isnt worth mega money but I only pay out 'pet' money for ponies

 

[BandL]

I’ve had my rising 6 year old since she was 6 months old. I first saw her when she was 4 weeks old. Her dad is a Warmblood and her mum a Welsh X, she was bred by a family who did it for pleasure. I chose to buy a weanling as had backed and brought on young horses but always wanted to have something from the ‘beginning’. I was lucky that I still had my older horse to ride/compete and when my youngsters ridden career began he was ready for semi-retirement. I would say although my bond is strong with my youngster, having had my old boy 13 years its just as strong with him!

During the first 3-4 years of her life she did a little bit of in hand showing, in hand work (plastic etc) and long reining. I lightly backed her as a 4 year old but due to ulcers and a heart issue I put this on hold until she was rising 5. On reflection, this is one of the best things I did as over the course of that year she took a big growth spurt and became ‘ready’ for work. I have backed/brought her on myself and feel this is the most rewarding part. I loved all the time spent with her when she was younger and it really did create a great foundation for her now. Currently we are competing at Prelim level dressage and jumping about 2ft6. Our plan is to do some x-country schooling this summer before letting her have a winter holiday. If things remain well our future include a little bit of everything! Possibly some affiliated dressage, BE and showing; I just want a good allrounder.

All going well she is turning out to be my forever horse.