At 18:53:44 on 13.10.11, Hoofprint wrote:
I am currently backing my horse, people tell me different ways and now I'm not to sure of the best way, I have been with horses all my life but this is the first time I've attempted anything on this scale. Any tips ands pointers???

At 19:32:13 on 13.10.11, Malvina wrote:
That's definitely a big challenge. I'm big on natural horsemanship and using a round pen. But what I've learned over the years isn't how you do it, it's what works best for the horse. Some things will work with some horses but utterly fail with other...The key is finding the balance of what works for you and him. Good Luck!! :)

At 21:01:05 on 13.10.11, NoraPieterse wrote:
that's a big question: 'how do you back a horse'! look up different methods on the web and get some books on ones you are interested in. this way you can find out yourself what would be your choice of training method, not other people's. you are right, there are many different ideas out there. i got my 5yo when he was 3 and finished his training. i got a kelly marks book and read monty roberts' autobiography. when different issues came up, i searched for them on the web and picked the methods that i thought would suit me and my horse. i think the most important thing is to keep an open, patient mind and don't let your young'un walk all over you!! good luck :)

At 20:10:00 on 17.10.11, Coire wrote:
I backed a little welshie (who is now a super little first ridden)and found the experience really rewarding. I did lots of ground work with him so he was "voice trained" before I actually got on. (I was lucky as I got him when he was rising 2 and didnt back him until he was five so we had lots of time to work together) This helped a lot as I could give him a verbal command at the same time as the physical command on the basics such as "walk on" "trot" "walk" and "stand" I also had friends help out by leading and lunging him while I was on him for the first few times. I found it really helpful to have someone on the ground - it gave both me and my little pony a lot of confidence.

At 18:44:43 on 19.10.11, HorseyRach wrote:
I have a little 13.2hh Welshie who I have just bought. She is 9 years old and unbroken as has always been a broodmare and shown inhand. Obviously I am reading loads of advice about how to back and break her, but am only finding stuff about youngsters - is she going to be more of a challenge? Should I be doing things differently as she is older? Has anyone else broken an older horse before and can give me some advice??? Thanks.

At 18:49:01 on 19.10.11, bee20 wrote:
I wouldn't recommend this but last year I backed a pony by just getting on him and riding him out with another pony round my yard's private estate. He had never been lunged or long-reined. I used my voice every time we trotted etc (he initially just did whatever the horse in front did) and he very quickly learnt to react to my voice aids. Once he was confident and balanced we then schooled him. He has now been sold and is being trained in dressage and has turned out to be a very good jumper. Of course, he was a very well handled New Forest pony, used to tractors etc and had a calm temperament, so I wouldn't normally have done this, but just shows it is possible.

At 23:50:09 on 21.10.11, TheCat wrote:
A few months ago I backed an 8 year old Tennessee Walker that had and is a backyard pet for 8 years. Actually they have 10 acres, lovely barn and a couple of fenced pastures. I long lined her about 12 or 15 times. First mounted her in a stall on two successive days and then rode her out on the farm. It was rather rolling and difficult to do any flat work. Rode her up the road a few blocks and worked in an arena with jumps and other horses. She took to them rather well. Also took her out on the trail with another horse. Oh...I used a bit-less bridle with her and she took to it like a duck to water. I kept her very lite even in her running walk. Only rode her about 12 to 15 times when the owner pronounced her trained.(takes all kinds). I must caution that you need to evaluate the horse and train accordingly. I don't think I could have done this with a Thoroughbred or some other hot bloods. Did back an Andalusian mare some time ago. Worked with her for about a month before backing her. Got on a bale of hay and then on her back and she was wonderful. I think my days of backing horses should be over as I am 77. Of course as a retired eventer.....we are a little crazy.