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Judith S
Platinum Member
 Wales
15686 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Apr 2007 : 7:41:29 PM
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Can anyone recommend a good, sensible. down to earth book about backing/breaking youngsters? I think I'm going to have a go with our Maj rather than send her away as I usually do to a friend...trouble is she won't load! I've dabbled in the past with my other youngsters...but an not too hot on lunging (don't want to do too much of that with a youngster!) & have never long-lined - which I think I would prefer to do with her. We have a secure large round pen to work in - have tried doing join-up with her -which she totally refuses to do - its far beneath her!
All help/ideas will be much appreciated!
Judith
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Nedds71
Gold Member
Wales
679 Posts |
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rhoni
Gold Member
United Kingdom
910 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2007 : 10:34:19 PM
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| I can't recommend a book but think you should dabble to your heart's content! You obviously love your horses and I think you would get a lot of fulfilment doing it yourself. |
Edited by - rhoni on 27 Apr 2007 10:35:57 PM |
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heatherr
Platinum Member
England
1882 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2007 : 10:57:20 PM
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"The Art of Long Reining" by Sylvia Stanier
Old school, to the point, no fuss and reliable results
Go for it Judith and hope you both have fun |
Heather 
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Tahir
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4572 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2007 : 11:07:05 PM
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You won't need any help from books Judith, from your posts I reckon you have enough savvy to go it alone!!!
Good luck and have fun - you have to do it at least once!!
Carla, xx. |
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rosyw
Platinum Member
England
3756 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2007 : 11:10:59 PM
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One of my favourite books is 'Foal To Five Years' by Ann Hyland, but go for it, I always say to those who say to do it by the book, that's fine BUT 'each horse has it's own book'
You know what works best for your own, it's a simple matter of trust.
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Jilly
Platinum Member
England
2431 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2007 : 11:13:32 PM
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Hi Judith, if you have a good bond with the horse, you're half way there anyway, I believe it's mostly about two way trust and not rushing things, so for you...no worries.
I do have a bog standard book you can borrow, i'll post it to you if you like. |
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JulieBeattie1
Silver Member
Scotland
288 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2007 : 09:41:58 AM
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I completley agree with Jilly, having a bond really is half the battle. I just took my time with my girly and we are still working on it. There is no hurry and she has been great.
Good luck.
x
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Grey Girl
Platinum Member
England
1554 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2007 : 10:25:30 AM
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The Jane van Lennep books are good: First Foal and First Steps. But might cover ground you've already gone over.
To be honest, I would say just go on, you obviously know what you're doing, you have the nerve etc - just go ahead!
Good luck and have fun!
Grey Girl |
 Said the little eohippus, "I´m going to be a HORSE"  |
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leezee26
Gold Member
England
1123 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2007 : 12:15:54 PM
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| As everyone has said, you have the half the battle won already. Maybe your friend who normally takes them can give you a starter lesson in the art of long lining but its not difficult to do, its just the holding of the lines and keeping you focus on the horse is the hard part. Plus especially on your first outings you will need help as you'll prob need someone by the horses head. Hope you enjoy the experience though its sooo rewarding. Leighx |
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pat day
Moderator
United Kingdom
5324 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2007 : 7:30:52 PM
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I am just going through this with Ffashion. Judith, (The bay in my sig.)
I have never backed a youngster before her, and she has been so good, and so clever. Even quite irratable with me because I have shown/asked her ONCE!! before.!!
(John will not let ours 'go away', which is foolish, because there are a few that I would love to produce ridden for me, I am not good enough/confidence, to do it from scratch myself)
Anyway, apparently,.. what I have done so far as been correct, so am really chuffed.
If I can start them,.... YOU CAN |
       
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TREASURES AT TEMPLEWOOD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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natntaz
Platinum Member
England
2919 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2007 : 08:37:39 AM
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| I have broken all mine over the years and believe me your instinct usually tells you when things are right to do. I never rushed any of them as they are all so individual. I also always turned away after the first initial summer of bringing on. I have never had a problem. I think as long as you guide them and give them confidence when they are younger they will be happy with things that you need to do. I agree Jane van-lenneps books are always worth a read.(found the foaling one spot on last year) Good luck |
   
Natalie Pix. Essex. Tariq ibn Radfan and Taroub |
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Nut
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2007 : 10:34:47 AM
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Hi Judith, I can only echo everyone else and say since its just so rewarding to do it yourself. Erik and I are now on month 4 and i cant believe how much we have come on and are enjoying learning together and all considering i fell off in week 1  . All I would say is take it slow, I know that others might have got Erik further on than I have but I am happy that we now have 3 paces and although we arent picture perfect, we can hack on the farm alone and school in the manage and are looking forward to a summer of fun on the farm |
     www.ndlarabians.webs.com
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anne
Gold Member
England
877 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2007 : 3:03:54 PM
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Judith I would just go for it.
I too had never backed anything before Tara have always got them once backed and ready to school on.
I have never long lined a horse before and Tara refused to do lunging could not see why she should be running round in a circle while I stood in the middle  so in the end once I had backed her I had Alan well schooled that when I said walk on and put my legs on he walked forward leading tara so not long before she realised legs on sides meant walk on. Then when I said stand and half haltered Alan stopped immediantly. Friends thought I was mad but hey it worked
I think that the bond you have with a horse goes a long way because they trust you |
    
..................................................................... Photo by David Evans |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2007 : 7:30:24 PM
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Thank you all SO much for your replies....they have given me so much confidence to "have-a-go"!!! (AL comes up trumps yet again) She is having a chiro treatment from Jane in two weeks time - so after that it will be all systems go!.........well nice & slowly ....but not sure thats what Maj will want.....I'm pretty sure I could put a saddle on (I put one on her recently & she didn't bat an eyelid!) & get on her tomorrow........but I won't........just incase! Shes very intelligent (well aren't all Arabs?!) & I'm sure she will only need to be told/shown something once! OH is going to help me & he's just SO good with the neds!
A question: do you use a mouthing bit |(traditional thingy with keys in the middle of the mouthiece).....or the bit you will be riding them in.......in my case....|I've a Myler comfort snaffle with copper roller & Fulmer cheeks...that I had thought to use - the roller gives them something to play with?????
Also long reining...I'm now used to & happier using the heavier rope lead reins etc & want to but two long ones for long lining - supplier please!!!!
I'm looking forward to the experience of starting Maj......but also rather wary as she can be rather "explosive" in her responses.....but her lower lip does give her away rather!!!
I know I am going to bore you all rigid with my "how do you do this" & "how do you do that"..........but I know you lot will come to my rescue!!!
Judith XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX |
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anne
Gold Member
England
877 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2007 : 7:52:35 PM
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Hi Judith,
I am no expert but this is a couple of things I did
I used a mouthing bit with a little bit of suger or treacle on it but to be honest I think Tara would of accepted her fench link straight away had it not been for a friend having a mouthing bit.
Just a few minutes at first them remove it and replace it and increase the time she has the bit in but to be honest Tara did not have a problem with it at all
I did a lot of grooming on a step mounting block so she got used to seeing me up behind her. Also while doing this I slowly started leaning on her and applying my weight so again she became used to it.
I think the advantage to doing it yourself is there is no time table not like sending them away for 6 weeks job done. If they need longer no probs.
I don't know if she is one of your arabs or not but they do seem to have the done that move on attitude.
Good Luck
Anne |
..................................................................... Photo by David Evans |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2007 : 8:13:05 PM
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Hi Anne
Shes totally impervious to having rugs thrown on her from all angles when loose in the field! Also not bothered about one fussing round with surcingles/leg straps stc.
I can lean across her back - no reaction at all....hope shes not lulling me into a faulse sense of security
We bought her from her breeder as a just yearling....shes now five...so we know her rather well!
Will prob just put the Myler bit & see what she thinks? |
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Bebely
Gold Member
United Kingdom
813 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2007 : 9:21:13 PM
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Re my posting on riding in Wales
will also bring all my baby books and all the stories
Backed Jameel myself and now mid way with Tamba....going OK but it's 16 years later and I don't have QUITE the confidence but still glad I'm doing it myself. |
Bev |
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Honeyb060674
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4301 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2007 : 9:22:18 PM
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Ooo the gorgeous Maj As someone said to me recently YOU GO GIRL!! I can't wait to hear how you're progressing with her. You do realise you're gunna have the entire AL gang there doing it with you You're so lucky to have the chance...good luck! |
      
Claire & Sunny x
http://sunnyandclaire.blogspot.com/ |
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leezee26
Gold Member
England
1123 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2007 : 11:51:26 PM
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| Hi Judith, I tend to use the bit I would like them to go in, which is generally a sweet iron french link. The happy mouths are ok, but from my professional view as an Equine dentist these can often induce chewing esp if said baby is teething and hasnt had their teeth checked. The mouthing bits are traditional but they are bulky and often to much for the baby to deal with (esp if have tiny mouths!) I bought, years ago 2 lovely long lining ropes but for the life of me cant remember, wish I could as one has now gone to long line heaven so if you get any posts for suppliers do let me know pls? Best of luck playing with your baby, youll be fine! Leighx |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2007 : 08:05:25 AM
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Hi Leigh
She recently had her teeth done. I'm not a fan of Happy Mouth bits either...all my neds are in Mylers & I will use a Myler fulmer with comfort snaffle mouthpiece that I already have - I think it will suit/fit her.
Last year I bought a couple of lovely rope halters & long leading ropes from a Scottish company - called Scot Knots ( I think!)...lovely quality ....can't find their contact details now...any ideas anyone?
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Honey Monster
Silver Member
England
318 Posts |
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Evie
Platinum Member
England
3513 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2007 : 6:51:22 PM
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Hi Judith,
Good luck with backing Maj. I did Tara myself (with help from my BHS instructor friend) and she was very good - apart from not liking long reining one bit! So we gave up with that, but she was great with everything else - even when we were lunging her with the saddle on for the first time and it had a polly pad underneath and because there wasn't any weight to keep it in place it slipped out from under her saddle and bounced along her back over her loins onto her bottom then onto the floor and she didn't even bat an eyelid, just kept trotting round! |
Bristol |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2007 : 7:17:52 PM
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Paula - thanks for the link......I ordered ropes from another company this morning..! I see Scotknots have closed - shame as their stuff was good!
Evie....who knows...Maj might be rideable by the time you visit again |
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Bebely
Gold Member
United Kingdom
813 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2007 : 11:41:10 PM
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First get on............very quickly followed by first get off 
Can we keep this going as the 2007, spring, home backing thread!
Tamba is fine with the saddle, brilliant with the long lining, confident walking out in hand. I've leaned over, walked circuits of the school, halts from the voice (my squeak, doubled over the saddle)
I can put weight in the stirrup, lean over the saddle, move the stirrups, sweep arms from head to quarters - not a squeak. He is doing so well I finally put my leg all the way over to the other side and he lost the plot, bucked in tight circles round my helper and I fell off with intent 
Pretty rubbish rider fault I admit.
I got back on again and had no problems going right back to the leg over stage and ending on a good note. Feeling a bit stiff and sore and my tongue hurts where I bit it (oops) but keen to proceed. I think he panics as the weight balance shifts so I will go back a few stages and repeat from the other side.
Anyone got any other ideas........please |
Bev |
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Marie-Molly
Gold Member
United Kingdom
929 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 11:06:07 AM
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Hi Judith,
Go for it!
The book "The Art of Long Reining" by Sylvia Stanier is on sale on amazon.co.uk for about £3.50 including postage!
Marie |
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