Youngster - what else to do?

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Kub

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Harry is going to be backed at the beginning of April, and I've done a lot with him so far but just wondering if there's anything else I could do to between now and then. This is what we've done so far:

*Lots of walking inhand on the roads, getting using to traffic and the outside world. Always goes out in a bridle and I've also taken him out with his saddle on today and yesterday, not phased by it at all. Had his stirrups long too so swinging against him
*Tacked up
*Had someone sit on him bare back and with saddle on
*Yesterday he had very light rider on him with saddle and actually putting weight through the stirrups, he was unsure about this but not scared or frightened. Anything I can do to work on this?
*He's did a few in hands shows last year, was a complete sweetie and got him out and about
*He's been lunged on very big circle, responding well to voice commands. Also lunged with saddle on and stirrups down
*Little bit of long reining but still learning to go forward without someone by his head

He's pretty much up to the point of being sat on and being taught how to be ridden but anything else I can do to make that job easier would be great. He is so good with traffic (which is good as there are some idiots on our roads... grrr!) and very little phases him, but have I missed anything?

Thanks peeps :)
 
How about;
Teaching him to yield his hindquarters - on a que when you press his side where your leg will signal him.
Teaching him to flex his head and neck round to his girth area on both sides.
 
Headpiece said:
How about;
Teaching him to yield his hindquarters - on a que when you press his side where your leg will signal him.
Teaching him to flex his head and neck round to his girth area on both sides.
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Oooo thanks, good ideas :) How do I teach him to flex round?

He's pretty good at standing but could definitely improve on this.

Btw, he's rising 4, if that makes any difference.
 
Our friends, stuffed some old clothes into the shape of a person and secured them on top of the saddle so he got used to something above him bouncing around.
 
You've done really well so far by the sounds of it! Well done!
If you were to concentrate on anything before backing, I would say you need to get the long reining mastered :) Teaching a horse to go forward without having the comfort of someone by his head all the time will make the first ridden work much easier! :D :D
 
nikkiportia - good point, defo think that's a good idea. I need to get some long reins really, my lunge lines are just tooooo long. What length is the best to get ideally?

SamanthaG - ah interesting. He's not too worried about someone on top, more the legs down the side. Maybe I could modify and got with some wellie boots weighted down... Food for thought, thank you :)
 
Kub said:
nikkiportia - good point, defo think that's a good idea. I need to get some long reins really, my lunge lines are just tooooo long. What length is the best to get ideally?

SamanthaG - ah interesting. He's not too worried about someone on top, more the legs down the side. Maybe I could modify and got with some wellie boots weighted down... Food for thought, thank you :)
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Yes I seem to remember she had boots on it also
 
How about general bomb proofing.

Bags tied to fences....umbrella's, pushcahirs, putting bags on his back, walking over plastic sheeting etc.....

All the kind of strange things you may see out hacking or on a XC course in the future.

Throwing your brushes on the floor near his feet......I always balance what i'm nnot using on my horses back so this is good for when they fall off!!!!

Otherwise all the other bits you are done really well with.

Good Luck and enjoy him.
 
id work on the long reining and teaching him lefts and rights,. if he works on a circle this is a good way to start, then adjust your position so you end up walkin by his quarters, done gradually he wont notice hes come of the circle.

and deffinatly teach him to yeild to pressure, generally with the babies i put my hand on the girth line and just kep the pressure on until they turn. you can also start doing this as a way to go forward, so pressure on and walk on..

I also lead my babies off another horse, if your confident you have control its an excellent way to get them out, and you can also introduce a bit of trot etc.
 
Sammii819 - He's pretty bombproof to most of those things :) Though I haven't tried umbrellas so that could be a good one. Ditto the brushes on the back or his large apple bottom hehe. He's done the whole tarp walking over, being under, bags tied to fencing, random things on him, he seems pretty blasay about the whole thing lol.

jhoward - I'll have a go at that this afternoon, pressure on the girth area. Do I wait until he moves away from me?
 
Lead or long line him over things - like SJ poles, spooky planks, the odd very small log (ie. things he can step over), over tarpolin / varying surfaces / through water etc.. All help when introducing jumping eventually.
 
Kub said:
Sammii819 - He's pretty bombproof to most of those things :) Though I haven't tried umbrellas so that could be a good one. Ditto the brushes on the back or his large apple bottom hehe. He's done the whole tarp walking over, being under, bags tied to fencing, random things on him, he seems pretty blasay about the whole thing lol.

jhoward - I'll have a go at that this afternoon, pressure on the girth area. Do I wait until he moves away from me?
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sorry only just got in, but yes, hand on girth or a balled fist and keep even pressure, either off a bit or head collar also keep a small amount of pressure so that he is getting the natural idea of head comes round bum moves away.
 
Sounds like you have done really well with him! I'm keeping an eye on this post as I have a coming up 3 year old and want lots of idea's too! :)
 
Sammii819 - I am really hoping so. I've had him 2 years and I love him to pieces and I'm really hoping our riding relationship will be as good as our ground one :)

MagicMelon - Fab idea, should also get him thinking a bit more about his feet. I took him for a walk today and slowly got further and further behind his head, almost level with his bum, pushing him on with my voice. He was very good and kept walking out so I think with a bit of practice, I can get him long reining on my voice and remove the need for someone by his head.

jhoward - ah bringing his head round makes sense. He just walked sideways when I did early hehe but he did move away from me so it's a good start.

Vetwrap - I did that flexing exercise with him, making him bend round to his girth area, he's pretty darn flexible hehe. Some of the positions he gets himself into to scratch himself are hilarious, the bad part of me wants to run up and push him to see if he fall over.. I'd never actually do it though!!!

Moveon - Thank you, tbh, we've just gone through things bit by bit. I've never worked through a list just googled and read things here and gone with the flow, progressing on. I love being on the ground with him and spending time with him so it's all just a pleasure. Shows are definitely something to try and do, they teach them so much (and me!) and it's a lovely feeling when you do well. Harry has been placed every time he's been out, which for my first horse and my first season showing, makes me feel warm and fuzzy and very proud :) And I was a complete newbie, so anyone can do it hehe. Plus, the HHO peeps are amazing for advice and ideas, but always work on what you decide is best. One thing I've learnt is everyone has an opinion (and completely entitled to it) but you need to come to your own and what works best for you.
 
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