Young And Inexperienced..And That's Just The Owner!

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Paigeous

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Before I start, I'm not actually too inexperienced to own the 17 month old ID x TB filly that I'm talking about, it was just a joke
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I own an 8 year old Welsh cross mare who I broke in myself. I'm quite confident that I am capable of breaking my ISH..I just don't know the right time to be starting some things with her.

With my other mare the process was done by me but under the instruction of the woman who owned her at the time, as my parents wouldn't buy her for me until she was broken in (I was 12, first pony and all that). So as you may already be imagining the process wasn't all that great for her and even as a carefree young 'un I was a little perturbed by the lack of substance in the breaking process.

Consequently I had to pretty much re-break her when I moved yards.

So that this time around I get it right first time I'd like to know at what age I can start doing the following..

Putting a bit in her mouth

Lungeing (with roller and cavesson, hopefully)

Leaning over her back

Sitting on her for short periods of time

I know I shouldn't really back her until she's 3 and I won't do..but I was wondering if on perhaps a once a week basis I could do the last two a little earlier..say at 2 and a half? I'm not an idiot, I wouldn't try and back her properly too early, I just want to allow plenty of time for her to get used to everything..

And also at what age..

They lose their baby teeth

The growth of a horse with her breeding would begin to slow

Any advice/info would be much appreciated
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IMO, and I know alot on her don't agree, I would bit at 2 and start some gental long reining and walking out in hand and back at rising 3, not doing a lot perhaps 10-15 minutes a day with perhaps one longer session a week until 3 and half and then start riding for longer. Personally I wouldn't turn away either but keep it going.
 
Thankyou (: That makes me feel better..it is pretty much what I thought.. I wasn't planning on turning her away actually, I don't quite see the point..you only have to start almost from scratch when you bring them back into it..

Thanks (: x
 
I have a really good book full of info and when to do what with youngsters.

Its called the ABC book of schooling and breaking, or something like that, buy someone called Josephine somebody.

Sorry for the obscureness but I left the book at work, but if you put those details in Amazon it should come up!
 
I breed ID x TBs - and most we run on to back and sell as 'backed and riding quietly.'

We start 'backing' them at 1-2 days old by leading them with a hand across their backs (makes 'em buck at first), tickling them around the girth area, and when they're lying down we'll lean across them (no weight.) All this helps in the eventual backing process.

While they're growing up they're handled from time to time - but not daily or even weekly - unless you count me hurling large chunks of haylage across their backs. (they just wander around munching on their mobile hay racks! Similarly I might bounce up and down at the side of them when they're in the stable - or loose in the field.

But we don't put a bit in their mouths until we've started the backing process - at 3 - and then only after they've been lunged lightly in a cavesson and been taught voice commands (walk, trot, canter - and WHOA!) We also check their mouths before bitting - and remove wolf teeth, retained caps - and rasp as necessary.

Once they're backed we hack them out for 30 minutes - 4-5 times a week - and they'll come back into the school for SHORT learning sessions once a week. We don't turn them away unless they go through a severe growth spurt.
 
Thanks Janet (:

I am starting to do things with her like putting my arm across her back & things like that. I've only had her a couple of months so I didn't want to push my luck too early but things seem to be going well - we're moving forward
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I'll keep your advice in mind (: x
 
I bitted my latest youngster (TB) at one (with rubber straight bar) as he was being shown

Have an ID and she was bitted/longrenied atabout 2yrs old. Nothing heaving done with her, just long reined round the countryside (off road)

Sat on her as a 3yr old but to be honest, it really depends on the horse and how they cope with it all.

As has been said, make sure their teeth are checked regularly.
ID types take longer to develop so once backed just do light work. Sometime is they take a growth spurt you have to give them a bit of time.

I tend not to lunge youngsters as it puts a strain on joints/tendons etc but others will.

At the moment I would get your ground work 100% so you have a well behaved baby (they grow so quickly)

They need to know whos in charge before they realise how big they are and start pushing the boundaries!

Good luck its very rewarding
 
Yeah, I've been working on groundwork and handling with her. She's not even 18 months yet, and she's at least 15hh at the withers & even higher on her bum (not been measured in a few weeks so could be bigger now)..and she's very strong.

Luckily she doesn't know it yet but I am working on groundwork to make sure I have the upper hand when she does click
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I was just wondering when I can start these things so I can lead up to them with the groundwork. Have started leading her round the menage..stuff like that.

Am very excited, have already found a bridle I want for when she's older
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lol x
 
you could put a surcingle with a numnah under it on her.

I would happily bit her (rubber bit) at that age. Initially just in the stable for 5 mins, then walking out using the headcollar to control her, not the bit.

To be honest, my TB colt took it all in his stride. Your girl is at an age where they soak up new stuff.
As long as she is enjoying it, carry on.
Better to make it frequent but short sessions rather than long ones as like children, they can be faze out pretty quickly.

Also (if she hasnt) start getting her into a trailer/lorry and going for short journeys, prefereably with a good steady companion to start with.
 
Things don't seem to bother her for that long really, but yeah I try to keep the sessions short..
I have been thinking about introducing her to trailers & starting to take her out (:
Thanks for all the advice, it's a great help (: x
 
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