When to back a Friesian?

Question

Hi there. I have a 3/4 Friesian filly, and I have read that you should not back a purebred Friesian until 4...but what about a cross? She turned 2 on March 1st, and my plan was to sit on her this fall and walk around a bit, then pull her back out at three and do a little more. What do you think? Too soon? I don't want to cause her any problems in the future, and I am in no hurry. I am planning on talking to my vet about it when she comes back out, but I just wanted to see if anyone has any experience and/or opinions on the matter.

Thanks a bunch :)

Answer 1

Have her joints xrayed to be sure...why take chances?  She sounds nice...I've always wanted a Friesian as well...but even friends of mine wouldn't part with one of their babies for less than $10,000.00...not in my ball park.  Oh well.....take good care of her!

Answer 2

It's better if you wait until your horse is 4.

Answer 3

I'd suggest not backing her until she is 3 years old, on the safe side, and not doing any hard work until she's 4. If you want to know for sure contact your vet and have them do a check on her and see.

If you really want to start training her now, do it, start blanketing her, start crawling onto the fence next to her and draping your body over her back without putting weight on her, start desensitizing her now. I hope you aren't planning on throwing her out in a pasture with no human contact until she's 3 years old then pulling herout and riding her.

Just start doing ground work now, some lounging, get things started so when you geton you're jumpstarted.

My qh I trained at 10 was an exceptional horse under saddle because I had done so much ground work on her. I rode her 10 times and we had everything down. Granted, she was just an exceptional horse, but the ground work is the best anyway.

But, I'd wait til she's 3. She has a long life ahead of her, it won't kill you to wait another year.

Edit: Good to hear. You're so lucky, I LOVE friesians. What is she mixed with? (I can't help but want to know :)) Good luck with her!!

Answer 4

All horses mature at different rates, so some can be broken at three and lightly backed, while others have to wait a year. Generally i always break horses in at a minimun age of four no matter what the breed, some i've even left until five. However just because you can't sit on them to break them in doesn't mean you can't do any  groundwork. I would never even consider mounting a two year old, not even light work. Theres so many problems that can be cause because of this, and i've seen it happen, i own a horse who i un rideable because of a back and shoulder injury caused by misjudgement when being broke in, please be careful.

At two i start groundwork, by the means of lunging, long reining, making the horse un-spooky, i will lunge with a saddle and the horse fully tacked up with an older two year old. At three i break some of the horses in for harness to drive a trap as this is less severe on the back and i will continue with lots of groundwork. Then at four i will break the horse in to be ridden, and because of all the groundwork, it usually doesn't take me more than a few weeks to have a very responsive and calm riding horse, always ready to be improved with schooling that is such as dressage etc.

So i really would advise you to leave her a couple more years, and just stick to groundwork, the more groundwork, the more trust the easier it will be to break her in, and the better schooled the horse will be, good luck!

Answer 5

If you are east coast, I know of a 4 year old pure Fresian for free if you want another one. Anyway, I would just wait till she is three and keep it easy till she is 4. I would also keep the lunging to a minimum. It can be just as hard as riding on joints.

Answer 6

Go to ebonyequines.com and email Jodi.  She is my horse trainer and has raised Friesians for years and can answer any questions that you might have about Friesian horses.