| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| n/a |
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 9:20:23 PM
What is the oldest horse that you have backed? |
| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Songbird |
Posted - 12 Nov 2009 : 7:18:13 PM
I've backed several older broodmares for clients in the past and I can categorically state that given the choice between backing a four year old and an eight year old the eight year old would win hands down every time. Maturity seems to equal more sensible in the majority of cases . I also have to say that I had the honour to ride Lalique for a couple of years and she is one of the best horses that I have ever sat upon . As Roseanne pointed out she was ten when backed and went on to many great achievements. |
| janet |
Posted - 07 Nov 2009 : 12:45:30 PM
My Mare was 8years old when backed, I bought her in foal and spent time with her then proceeded to back her, she is a dream to ride nothing fazes her but she was fantastic to handle and has perfect manners, shown her locally for first time in her life this year and we have won overall so next year I am going to do ridden classes with her. |
| Grey Girl |
Posted - 06 Nov 2009 : 4:36:38 PM
Why would backing an older horse be a problem anyway? Surely provided they've been regularly handled and led out etc it's not going to be any more difficult than with a wayward baby?
Or am I missing some huge point here? It's never occurred to me that you *can't* back an older horse. |
| Athena |
Posted - 06 Nov 2009 : 3:52:06 PM
I'd agree that older horses with good from the ground manners are easier to back than silly youngsters. I backed my very first broodmare at 20 years old. Never did much obviously but she was sensible and enjoyed the experience. I know of more than a couple of others too. |
| leiat8 |
Posted - 03 Nov 2009 : 6:08:48 PM
i think it is often easier with older horses.more woldly wise i guess.lol. if you have a look at my post 'sunny picture overload' it shows an unbroken 11 year old mare who i have had on loan for 5 weeks, she has been a brood mare but is is being a real pleasure to do. |
| Karon |
Posted - 03 Nov 2009 : 09:25:40 AM
I've just backed my youngest who is 8, no problems at all with her. |
| s.jade |
Posted - 03 Nov 2009 : 09:24:34 AM
We backed El Rashid at 19....found the whole process much easier, though must admit ridden work is pretty much on his terms, but at 23 who can blame him?! |
| tamila |
Posted - 03 Nov 2009 : 07:54:12 AM
We backed Milly with Ramak at foot when she was 15 and we had a wonderful time together. I found out that she could jump and loved every minute of it.
I believe that Golden Cavalier was successfully backed and ridden on at about 19.
If they have been well handled there should not be a problem |
| kimzi |
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 10:55:02 PM
We backed muzzy at 15 with absoluteley no problems,i think that the age added to her level headedness helped,would'nt hesitate doing an older mare again. |
| azeer |
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 10:44:56 PM
I have backed several horses late. All have had very good temperaments and they have loved it. The last two were Kashermima aged 13 whom I produced for Claire and George Chillingworth who went on to win loads and went to HOYS at 15 and more recently my own Tabara aged 7 (not very late by todays standards) who has taken to it like a duck to water. |
| barbara.gregory |
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 10:39:18 PM
I know the Maxwell's backed and sold a broodmare in her teens with good results; sorry, can't remember any more details but I am sure if Emma reads this she will know. I don't think there is any age limit if the mare is fit amd well and has the right temperament.
Barbara |
| Fleas |
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 9:56:48 PM
I backed a 12yo mare before the summer with no problems, she picked things up quicker with a sensible head thrown into the mix, she had only ever had one foal before so was just a pet all those years! |
| BabsR |
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 9:43:04 PM
Many years ago, we backed a 14yr old pure Arab brood mare for a friend. She was an absolute poppet and was competing under saddle within four months.
We have also backed our homebred Anglo covering stallions at 8yrs, 9yrs and Thoroughbred, at 11yrs.....no problem. Think it is all down to temperament and mutual trust at the end of the day. We never start any of our youngstock until they are 5years old.
So, in answer to your question.....they are never really too old and certainly not as mere 7yr olds Have fun and enjoy
Babs
www.SunrayAngloArabianStud.co.uk
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| Fee |
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 9:42:55 PM
My mare was also backed at 8 after 3 foals and I'm told she took to it without batting an eye. I think a lot broodmares backed later in life really do well and enjoy their new job 
Fee
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| Roseanne |
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 9:40:57 PM
After Linda Hannaford died (a well known breeder of performance Arabs who established the Arabian Knights team chasing outfit) her breeding programme came to an end and several of the brood mares were backed very successfully. They included Lalique who was backed at 10 and won HOYS mares within two years, Farette Gold who was 11 or 12 I recall, also Winter Queen who was about 9 or 10 and also Gold Lucretia, who was backed and did plenty of hacking, some jumping and was sold as a 'mature' rider's hack. Farette had fabulous ridden lines in her background and she remained a family riding horse. Winter Queen was eventually recovered as a brood mare for her lovely Old English lines and Lalique - a legendary ridden show horse by any standards - also returned to breed but is a truly versatile ridden mare with a fabulous temperament. None were difficult to back at all - though they were all mares. I'd say if it's done wisely, and not too quickly, it should be fine.
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| zebo |
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 9:35:43 PM
I backed a mare in the spring who was 8 and she's going really well,
did a 7 year old gelding last year and the best one is a 17 year old pure bred brood mare, she went so well that I taught kids to ride on her as a 21 year old! She's retired now though at 27. She's been a star! She's the granny of my stallion who went to hoys this year. |
| Kash |
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 9:31:54 PM
My mare was backed last year as an 8 year old I don't think age would make any difference in her case and would be inclined to agree with Nat - their temperament is soooooo important.
Good luck! |
| natntaz |
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 9:27:21 PM
I think it depends on temprement but its a great idea as i would
imagine there will be quite a few mares that have just been used
as broodmares that now are redundant due to the current financial
climate.
Good luck with your search |
