That's pretty much my experience too in breaking one. I've done alot of ground work with youngsters, but never had the courage to be the first to climb on one.
The filly that we got out of my mare four years ago tho, has kind of given me the courage to try. Then too, in the last few years I've rode some that were very very green, but had been raised with alot of handling from birth. I think that makes a world of diffence.
The horse I sold to CindyDawg was that way. He had not had much riding experience, just in his own pastures a handful of times. Lots of ground work and handling tho from birth. I knew the girl who raised him. He never offered to buck at all even when she got on him the first time. He was very laid back too, not spooky at all which I think comes from all the handling and experience of being around humans.
My son bought a 2 year old 2 years ago, that had been turned out from birth, very very little handling. He's turning into a pretty good horse, but doesn't have that "Oh, well" attitude. He has bucked, and still will buck for seemingly no reasons. I don't think he will ever be one of those types that can go for a while and not be rode for awhile and not be stupid.
Becky
I didn't know you sold a horse to CindyDawg! That's wonderful.
You are exactly right, some horses are so gentle and laid back that they give you confidence. The colt I sold was NOT one of those horses! Tuffy, my paint, is laid-back, lazy, loving and acts like a lap dog. He did wonders for my confidence after I had a couple of bad buck-offs. I bought Tuffy when he was a 3 year old and he was exactly the same at that age. He does need to be ridden a couple of days a week to keep him in shape but if I don't get to ride for a month, he's fine but a little annoying (a little too lazy). No buck, no spook, too lazy to run off. I ADORE him. Don't get me wrong, he does have his problems. He has lousy feet and allergies. He's not very good at crossing water but he's so willing that I think if I worked more with him, he'd cross more readily.