TallyHo123
Well-Known Member
Pony dosent look to bad in these pictures, but not the way i would do things
Why Why Why???
- Thread starter WoopsiiD
- Start date
glamourpuss
Well-Known Member
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Because some people just can't be patient enough to leave their babies another year to mature before backing them
My mare had manners to burn at two but I did not feel the need to tack her up and get on her and she is an NH bred TB too. I backed her at 3, turned her away for the winter then brought her back into work in the spring.
She is nearly 14 now and hasn't had a days lameness in her life. I put that down to not doing too much too soon and not schooling her to death as a baby like some horse owners I know have (and whose horses are more lame than sound over the year).
Each to their own I guess but it's not for me.
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My horse is an exracehorse, he was backed at 2 and then up on the gallops and in hard training (I'm not saying this is right) He was too slow and sent for meat. I got him gave him 3 months off and rebacked him and started schooling him....slowly and carefully. He spent over a year just 'seeing the world' hacking and not even hard schooling sessions.
He now is 14, never had a days lameness (other than the odd abcess when he was younger) he had BE evented to a decent level, done 3DE, endurance rides and numerous other things.
Whereas his start in life isn't ideal it hasn't harmed him. If I had a reasonably mature 2yo then I would certainly be starting their education with what was fitting to their level of maturity.
Because some people just can't be patient enough to leave their babies another year to mature before backing them
She is nearly 14 now and hasn't had a days lameness in her life. I put that down to not doing too much too soon and not schooling her to death as a baby like some horse owners I know have (and whose horses are more lame than sound over the year).
Each to their own I guess but it's not for me.
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My horse is an exracehorse, he was backed at 2 and then up on the gallops and in hard training (I'm not saying this is right) He was too slow and sent for meat. I got him gave him 3 months off and rebacked him and started schooling him....slowly and carefully. He spent over a year just 'seeing the world' hacking and not even hard schooling sessions.
He now is 14, never had a days lameness (other than the odd abcess when he was younger) he had BE evented to a decent level, done 3DE, endurance rides and numerous other things.
Whereas his start in life isn't ideal it hasn't harmed him. If I had a reasonably mature 2yo then I would certainly be starting their education with what was fitting to their level of maturity.
flyingfeet
Well-Known Member
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Flat race horses are broken in and raced at 2
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And dog meat by aged 4 usually!
Full on breaking in and jumping before the age of 4 is asking for a short lifespan. However suppose if you just want to make money quick and don't give a toss whether the horse has future problems, I can see real sense in it!
Flat race horses are broken in and raced at 2
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And dog meat by aged 4 usually!
Full on breaking in and jumping before the age of 4 is asking for a short lifespan. However suppose if you just want to make money quick and don't give a toss whether the horse has future problems, I can see real sense in it!
Ginny24
Well-Known Member
But at 2, even if the horse is mentally mature, most of the bones aren't (that includes the vertebral column)
I agree that if a horse is going to be MASSIVE then back it whilst it is younger, BUT turn the horse away until he/she is matured. Seeing as though the bigger the horse, the longer the vertebrae will take to fuse.
Apparently also, horses find it more difficult to round up due to them having to brace themselves when they are younger.
I agree that if a horse is going to be MASSIVE then back it whilst it is younger, BUT turn the horse away until he/she is matured. Seeing as though the bigger the horse, the longer the vertebrae will take to fuse.
Apparently also, horses find it more difficult to round up due to them having to brace themselves when they are younger.
Enfys
Well-Known Member
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My opinion is, the pony looks happy, fat, groomed and loved. Looks what I call play riding, toddling about on him, literally like you would take a dog for a walk. Anyhow I ride my 3 year old horse, so would not criticise this. The pony to me is not doing any form of work, would much rather see this than mistreated thin and scraggy horse.
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Agree.
I honestly can't see the harm in it. Someone is going to get a nice little childrens pony out of this deal, if I was after this type, I wouldn't dismiss him out of hand without going for a look see first.
My opinion is, the pony looks happy, fat, groomed and loved. Looks what I call play riding, toddling about on him, literally like you would take a dog for a walk. Anyhow I ride my 3 year old horse, so would not criticise this. The pony to me is not doing any form of work, would much rather see this than mistreated thin and scraggy horse.
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Agree.
I honestly can't see the harm in it. Someone is going to get a nice little childrens pony out of this deal, if I was after this type, I wouldn't dismiss him out of hand without going for a look see first.
Scribbles
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Full on breaking in and jumping before the age of 4 is asking for a short lifespan. However suppose if you just want to make money quick and don't give a toss whether the horse has future problems, I can see real sense in it!
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Oh yes, because those photos clearly show a horse with a toddler fully breaking and jumping it. I hear they are now working at intermediate.
To me, it looked like a pony being introduced to tack, and led quietly in hand.
Full on breaking in and jumping before the age of 4 is asking for a short lifespan. However suppose if you just want to make money quick and don't give a toss whether the horse has future problems, I can see real sense in it!
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Oh yes, because those photos clearly show a horse with a toddler fully breaking and jumping it. I hear they are now working at intermediate.
To me, it looked like a pony being introduced to tack, and led quietly in hand.
Enfys
Well-Known Member
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Has anyone anything to say about the fact that this pony is also still entire...and has covered???
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I saw that he was a colt, but covered? Well, it says something more for his nature then doesn't it?
Easy enough to separate him from his nuts anytime.
Has anyone anything to say about the fact that this pony is also still entire...and has covered???
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I saw that he was a colt, but covered? Well, it says something more for his nature then doesn't it?
flyingfeet
Well-Known Member
Actually that was more directed at the top SJer producer post a while back.
I would agree with kids ponies they generally have an easier life anyway so it would be less deleterious to start younger.
I.e: you are not trying to get them on the bit or make them go fast, and the jockeys (kids) are light.
I would agree with kids ponies they generally have an easier life anyway so it would be less deleterious to start younger.
I.e: you are not trying to get them on the bit or make them go fast, and the jockeys (kids) are light.
Scribbles
Well-Known Member
Ah ok, sorry for the crossed wires
glamourpuss
Well-Known Member
CotswoldSJ if you read my post about the showjumper I know he doesn't actually school and jump his 2 yo. He introduces them to tack, traffic and shows (in-hand) he will sometimes stick a very lightweight rider on their backs as well (it really depends on the horse) - Rather like what is being done with this 2 yo it seems.
None of his horses start their jumping career until they are at least 4 but he does tend to have a lot of success straight off with them.
Firstly because he is abrilliant rider
Secondly because they are often confident, well handled and used to a lot of things before they go anywhere near being schooled. All of his horses are well mannered and uncomplicated. They also do not have a limited life span, a friend of mine has a mare of his and is jumping decent standard BSJA on it now and it is 16.
It may not be the way everyone would do it but I cannot deny it works.
Don't forget the starting of a horses ridden career is only a small part of things. Look at poor ISHY her horse had what a lot of you would consider the 'perfect' breaking in and look at what happened to her....
None of his horses start their jumping career until they are at least 4 but he does tend to have a lot of success straight off with them.
Firstly because he is abrilliant rider
Secondly because they are often confident, well handled and used to a lot of things before they go anywhere near being schooled. All of his horses are well mannered and uncomplicated. They also do not have a limited life span, a friend of mine has a mare of his and is jumping decent standard BSJA on it now and it is 16.
It may not be the way everyone would do it but I cannot deny it works.
Don't forget the starting of a horses ridden career is only a small part of things. Look at poor ISHY her horse had what a lot of you would consider the 'perfect' breaking in and look at what happened to her....
Mooch
Well-Known Member
Well, shoot me down in flames!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have bought this lovely little boy!!!
He was bought originally by a lady that hoped she would be able to use him as a stud, but decided that he wouldn't be heavy enough for her mares. She got a heavier cob and sold him to the lady I have bought him off.
The lady I bought him off, is a great believer in, that any of her horses, ponies regardless of age or sex, behave and are calm and kind in all that life throws at them. She does not treat any of them heavy handed and achieves what she expects, by regular, gentle and respectful handling. Each horse is handled on it's on merits and they are given the time they need.
At no point has he been ridden hard or rushed!!!
Ok, so many of us may not have him in full tack and a child on his back, but that has been her choice!!
All of her horses were in lovely condition, calm and confident to be around.
Since having him home, he has been as lovely as the day I met him and I hope that this will always continue.
I have bought this lovely little boy!!!
He was bought originally by a lady that hoped she would be able to use him as a stud, but decided that he wouldn't be heavy enough for her mares. She got a heavier cob and sold him to the lady I have bought him off.
The lady I bought him off, is a great believer in, that any of her horses, ponies regardless of age or sex, behave and are calm and kind in all that life throws at them. She does not treat any of them heavy handed and achieves what she expects, by regular, gentle and respectful handling. Each horse is handled on it's on merits and they are given the time they need.
At no point has he been ridden hard or rushed!!!
Ok, so many of us may not have him in full tack and a child on his back, but that has been her choice!!
All of her horses were in lovely condition, calm and confident to be around.
Since having him home, he has been as lovely as the day I met him and I hope that this will always continue.
Scribbles
Well-Known Member
Congratulations, he looks like a real darling.
It is absolutely ridiculous to think that introducing a bridle and saddle causes "long term soundness problems" etc.
He's gorgeous, you'll have to let us know how he's doing (if he has any legs left from the weight of a small child once having sat on him pressing him into the earth, lol!
). I love me a cuddly face and sweet as pie nature
It is absolutely ridiculous to think that introducing a bridle and saddle causes "long term soundness problems" etc.
He's gorgeous, you'll have to let us know how he's doing (if he has any legs left from the weight of a small child once having sat on him pressing him into the earth, lol!
Enfys
Well-Known Member
There are so many of these "OMG!" threads that it is good to know where one has actually gone and hopefully we'll see a bit more of him.
I did a quick search on Horsetopia for 2-3 year olds, this is what it threw up!
Walking a 2 (rising 3?) year old on the road is kidstuff in comparison to what some of these horses have been doing.
http://www.horsetopia.com/for-sale/buyahorsezip.5.cfml?pagenum=1
OWLIE185
Well-Known Member
Looks like they are all treating the horse very sensibly (all wearing Hi-Viz on the road as well) and all going well it should become a very safe form of conveyance for it's future owner.
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
IMO its wrong. Some people here are saying that the horse isn't under any pressure etc. Of course it is! A 2yo is no way NEAR enough mature physically or mentally to deal with being backed even if it is only a little kid on its back. I would never back a horse at 2. I back mine at 4 and Weezy, the only horse Ive ever had who had bad manners was one I bought having been backed as an early 3yo!!! All my 4yo's turned out great!
Scribbles
Well-Known Member
I simply don't think this counts as 'backing'. Ther is a difference to breaking, backing and schooling a 4yo including lunging, to introducing a 2yo to equiptment, leading it along roads in high vis etc.
Mooch
Well-Known Member
Thank you Scribbles!
He really is a lovely boy.
We are all very pleased and smitten with him.
I'm sure there will be lots of updates to come!
He really is a lovely boy.
I'm sure there will be lots of updates to come!
soph21
Well-Known Member
If the horse/pony is well matured at 2 why not? Bear was broken by his 3rd bday!
3 years later he's a chunky stunning cob that grew almost a hand!
Lovely little coloured cob, shame he's not in Cornwall cos he would have suited my sister!
3 years later he's a chunky stunning cob that grew almost a hand!
Lovely little coloured cob, shame he's not in Cornwall cos he would have suited my sister!