A yearling at livery?

Fools Motto

Fools Motto

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There just may be a slim chance a lovely looking yearling filly is coming my way. she would ideally have to go to the livery yard, as it would be where I work.
Ideally youngsters need to be out, playing with others, and this would happen during the summer, but it's wet here in winter so will have to come in. Lots of things to see, and facilities to walk around with quiet lanes too. BUT, it's not ideal is it? How detrimental to youngsters growing up is this set up?
 
I'd find young stock grazing or maybe ask around for grass livery, being kept in does not do them good for long periods even a older horse.

I only know of one friend who bought a 6 month old filly, kept it on livery and they were in all winter so say 6 months in bar a few weeks. By the time she was professional backed at 4 (not even in work 2 weeks) she was diagnosed with severe kissing spine, arthritis hocks and stifles yet she was well put together.. it was always on my mind that I don't think being in every winter for such long periods helped while she was growing..

May of been totally unrelated, but still.
 
Find suitable youngstock livery for her. You don't have to see her every day if she is otherwise supervised so doesn't need to be where you work. If you need to keep youngstock in in the winter, then in groups in a barn is the way to do it. Your set up is not suitable in the winter for youngstock (and a very expensive way of doing it). I agree with the comment, why take on a youngster if you don't have suitable facilities for it?
 
Amymay said:
Personally I can’t imagine keeping any horse stabled 24/7 during the winter, let alone a youngster. But some seem to be able to make it work. But it’s far from ideal imo.
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This, Id never keep any horse stabled 24/7 and especially a yearling. IMO being out with a herd is vital as its when they learn how to interact / get disipline etc. I had a 4yo who didnt get that and he was so bolshy and just didnt seem to have any respect for people or other horses.
 
I would look for grass livery for a yearling it's not ideal being stabled all winter, I kept my 2 year old colt on livery but he went out overnight in summer and out all day in winter.
 
I would never do this to a yearling. it would be so detrimental for their mental and physical development to be kept in the situation you are suggesting. They need a herd, social interaction, play and space for movement. you'd be better off getting grass livery with other youngsters, even if it's further away
 
Fools Motto said:
I used to rent a farmers field when I had my mare, so there I have got options, just would need a friend for her.
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might someone else want somewhere for a youngster if you had the field? I'm considering looking for someone who might want to keep a weanling with mine when the time comes as we have a good set up for babies to live out here.
 
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milliepops said:
might someone else want somewhere for a youngster if you had the field? I'm considering looking for someone who might want to keep a weanling with mine when the time comes as we have a good set up for babies to live out here.
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I fostered my first youngster from the RSPCA as a weaning companion for my home bred foal. That worked well, and I was able to hand the foster filly back 18 months later once she’d done her job, though if she’d been bigger I probably would have ended up keeping her (I’m not good at handing them back ).
 
Tiddlypom said:
I fostered my first youngster from the RSPCA as a weaning companion for my home bred foal. That worked well, and I was able to hand the foster filly back 18 months later once she’d done her job, though if she’d been bigger I probably would have ended up keeping her (I’m not good at handing them back ).
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thanks TP, this is something I'm considering if we don't find someone with their own. Got a redwings up the road who may have something otherwise will prob approach others. Rather borrow something than end up with number 7!
 
When i got Nico, the Welsh D he was 17 months old, and were on grass livery.
Maybe you could rent a field, and find a suitable companion.
I would not have him if was going to have to keep him/her in so much in winter.I know a lot of people do keep them in, but i do not think it does them any good.
 
I wouldn’t have a worry about stabling in winter at night, I have done it in the worst of the winter months (out in day in a little herd regardless of weather though) and no ill affect what so ever, in fact often my youngsters are praised for their calm demeanour and nice behaviour - but if there was no turn out in winter that would be a big no for me.
 
The other horses at the livery yard may find a boisterous and playful yearling quite annoying when turned out together and sour relations between you and the other owners. My two yearlings willingly came in overnight last winter and like Teaboy said I think it helped a lot with their handling and manners.
 
ForbiddenHorse said:
I'd find young stock grazing or maybe ask around for grass livery, being kept in does not do them good for long periods even a older horse.

I only know of one friend who bought a 6 month old filly, kept it on livery and they were in all winter so say 6 months in bar a few weeks. By the time she was professional backed at 4 (not even in work 2 weeks) she was diagnosed with severe kissing spine, arthritis hocks and stifles yet she was well put together.. it was always on my mind that I don't think being in every winter for such long periods helped while she was growing..

May of been totally unrelated, but still.
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Im assuming this is about Copper Aimee. FYI it was completely unrelated maybe you should discover facts first :)
 
k1w1 said:
Im assuming this is about Copper Aimee. FYI it was completely unrelated maybe you should discover facts first :)
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Funnily enough, it wasn't Copper - Kirsty! I had no idea she had so much wrong with her?! It was a Warmblood filly, owned by a lady at my current yard and was put to sleep a few years ago now. They were never in for more than a week at Gary's anyway?! This filly was in pretty much 24/7 in winter.
 
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Please do not inflict that life on a youngster. It's bad enough for in work horses but can you imagine how in effect 'lock down' appears to such a young animal that has no idea why they are in a 12 x 12 prison box for 6 months. The poor mite won't even be walked out lunged or ridden, that is going to be one underdeveloped and mentally stressed baby.
 
My youngster lived out 24/7 where he was bred, I bought him as a yearling and he's been out on youngstock livery in a herd for two years. He's only just come to livery with me now as a 3yr old & still out full time. Definitely better for them to be out as much as possible.
 
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