Sucessfully backing a pony

[pinkyporker]

Luckily our geldng pony is a quick learner and lunges beautifully in walk and then trot all done by voice commands. My 6 year old daughter has backed him and he seems fine. He has done a lovely little canter with her on but can anyone give me any tips for getting him into canter in the lunge ring?

Should I be getting him backed professionally?

Bumping for you.

Guessing he's young, its quite hard for young ones to canter on the lunge due to balance I think. Some older horses can't do it as they are not supple enough to. If he canters with your dd in a straight line and comes back to trot and walk safely it sounds like she's done a great job. However if you wanted him to be aiming towards properly working in an outline etc then a bit of professional help might give him a great start. So he learns the aids and so on. Guessing your dd must be a pretty good rider though, don't know how much she would be able to do in this area...?
Sounds like your dd has done a great job getting him this far though, well done
HTH, and doesn't sound bad, I know what I mean its just sometimes writing isn't my best form of communication!

Our Sec A is rising 4. Last October (as a 3yo) we decided to back him so did some work in long reins and also lunged him.

After about 3 weeks of this we sent him to a small experienced adult (runs point to point livery) who has broken in ponies before. She rode him for the first time the day after he arrived and then spent 10 days getting him going.

When he returned he was very easy to work with and DD (5) got on him straight away and we've been hacking etc on the lead rein.

We now want to get him ready for shows in March but are struggling without a menage to get him fit/ridden enough.

Therefore we're sending him away for the whole of Feb to a professional pony producing yard where an adult will get him fit and schooled for the show ring. Then it's up to us!

hi pinky porker well done.. really starting horses is a techical as you want it to be! cantering on the lunge... make sure you have side reins on ( or a chambon if your prefer) and do it alot without dd on so he learns to balance. Initially i dont worry about the lead the pony gives just a neat transition (responsive) once he is obedient in the transition then start asking for the correct lead if he doesnt give it. normally horses prefer one lead. I aim with my youngsters to do three good transitions then stop. they get bored fast! (on each rein). Make sure you stay quite close to your poy in the transition, so you walk say a 5m circle in the middle and he is on 15/ 20 m one. will help keep him in check.
once he is cantering well on the lunge then put dd on. Still keep side reins on as they really help him balance.
hope that gives some pointers

oh and no i dont think backing needs to be done by a professional even tho i am one!