Backing an unbroken horse for the first time at Lucan Lodge - "Dexter"

Well, it took a little longer than usual with Dexter, because he had had less handling, but now his confidence levels are quite high and he is very accepting of my backing him. To get on James has supported me while I lifted myself onto his back from an embankment - this way I don't have to vault on and can control the speed and range of contact of my outside leg. But he's been very happy for me to slide on, and stay on, while James steps away to take this video. It is common with more anxious horses for people to first back them in an enclosed space with a secure saddle and a bridle on, but our approach is to build their confidence until we can do it in the open. If we can't back them untethered, in an open place, with zero anxiety, we don't do it. I am very risk averse, so I certainly won't get on until I am quite sure I won't be coming straight off! It sounds like this approach might take longer, but actually it has only been a week (five sessions) with Dexter, so often it works out quicker this way. And a stitch in time saves nine, so horses we start that are made confident and calm from the beginning, become much more consistent horses for their owners for the rest of their careers.




There is more on Dexter at http://lucanlodge.net/photoblog.aspx

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• lucan lodge
• rachael greaves
• training
• trainer
• unbroken
• breaking
• breaker
• starting
• unstarted
• backing
• unbacked
• horse
• pony
• green
• young
• stock
• canberra
• nsw
• australia

[LucanLodge]

Australian Stock Horse if my memory serves me well :)

[932apple]

awww bless he/she so cute xx

[Divadoodaa]

That horses back wont be unbroken for long.......

[jayify01]

Good job:) goregus horse

[Sirimiel]

Lol he's so cool with it, he's like "why are you up there? whatevs"

[bawabas7]

Hey its neat to see someone else backing the same way I do lol. Beautiful horse by the way :P

[rokgirl86]

Such a cute horse. And yhuu are doing the backing so well:')

[Ponylove67]

Compared to the video i just watched now that is how you back a horse! :)

[LoganLermanLuv3r]

@hgoel4 talk about GROSS

[Mrslittlesister10]

What breed is it? ;D