03/09/2025
This isnāt aimed at anyone in particular and is more for the novice and nervous riders out there, and itās genuinely meant in the nicest way š©·. Itās just something thatās been heavily on my mind for a while, because Iāve seen the impact it can have on young horses when riders arenāt fully prepared. š
When you send a young horse away for backing, the hope is always that theyāll come home well-started, happy, and ready to begin their ridden careerā¦ thatās our priority and the goal with every horse here! š„°
But, what happens next when they go home is equally importantā¦ and sometimes, this is where problems begin!
Thereās been a huge rise in people buying youngsters because itās a lot cheaper than buying an older more experienced horse, but unfortunately not everyone is at the standard of riding needed to bring these young horses on.
A common misconception that I am starting to see more often is: āI rode when I was younger, so Iāll be fine.ā But a 10, 15, or 20 year gap away from riding means your balance, reactions, and muscle memory arenāt where they used to be. Riding your friends super safe plod or a well-schooled riding school horse in a lesson is VERY different from sitting on a green youngster who is still learning the ropes and what a rider even is.
Another mistake I see is people thinking: āweāll learn together.ā It sounds romantic, but in reality, green on green makes black and blue, and itās almost always the horse who pays the price or gets blamed. Young horses donāt need a rider who is also figuring things out. They need someone consistent, confident, and kind, who gives them clear signals and helps them learn how to carry a rider with ease.
Hereās why it matters:
- A young horseās back is still developing. Landing heavily in the saddle, bouncing, or riding out of balance can cause long-term discomfort and even physical damage.
- Green horses are like sponges. They quickly absorb habits, both good and bad. If you ride with unsteady hands and sock them in the mouth when you lose your balance, they can learn to fear or resent the contact. If your aids are unclear, they can become confused, anxious, or resistant.
- Horses donāt understand ābut I thought I asked correctlyāā¦ they only know how they felt in that moment. If what you asked didnāt make sense, their trust in you decreasesā¦ and it really doesnāt take much for a young horse to lose confidence. Iāve seen it happen in 10 minutes!
I always suggest riders watch themselves on video, itās such a great tool that we all have these days!! What feels correct to you in the saddle often looks very different from the ground. That canter transition you thought you were sat up and asked calmly and clearly, might actually show that you tipped forward, kicked, and flapped like a lemon so your horse ran off in trot. The horse didnāt ignore you, they simply couldnāt make sense of what was being asked.
So, before you buy a young horse, please PLEASE ask yourself honestly:
- Am I balanced, fit, and confident enough to ride one consistently?
- If my horse spooks, am I confident enough to ride them forward up to the thing theyāre spooking at and show them itās not actually going to eat them? (I make them touch everything with their nose š)
- Do I have the support of a good trainer who can help me if I get stuck?
If you answered āNoā to any of the above, itās hard and frustrating, but you might want to ask yourself the question below and really weigh up the options;
- Would an older, more experienced horse suit me better right now? Even if I donāt have the budget needed at the moment, would it be best to wait a little, save up and get it right?
Backing and producing young horses is one of the most rewarding parts of riding and Iām very lucky and honoured that I get to start them on their journey ā„ļø but it also comes with huge responsibility. They only get one first experience under saddle, and that will shape them for life.
If you genuinely care about your horseās welfare, the best gift you can give them is being totally honest about your own ability. I know thatās going to be a hard pill for some people to swallow š but sometimes the kindest decision is to wait until youāre truly ready, or to spend that time and money investing in your own lessons and coaching first. Then, when the right time comes, youāll be prepared to give that youngster the confident, supportive start they deserve, and youāll both be able to enjoy the journey safely and successfully! š
