Backing a brood mare

[merrylegs]

Hi I was wondering if any of you have experience of backing a brood mare?

[maggie]

Yes, we back all of ours, even the 'teenagers' who had never been ridden previously. Generally speaking (and they are all individuals), because they are so well handled and mature, they take to the job very quickly.

[heathera]

I backed Rose when she was ten years old. She'd had one foal and been living at the stud she was born at. I then rebacked her once she had a foal for us.

As Maggie says they are usually easier than the youngsters. I spent a lot of time with groundwork and long lining to help Rise change her body shape as it's harder for older bodies to become riding fit if they've never done it before and baby belly shape is also hard to change.

[cadeby]

I second Maggie & Heather. We've backed a couple of our older broodmares and neither present any problems. They only get used for hacking, so no great demands are placed upon them, but it helps them get their figures back after foaling, and it's good for the foals to follow their dam's around the farm. I would say go for it

[merrylegs]

Thank you for your replies, I will let you know how I get on.