Advice on educating a youngster please

[MyBoyChe]

I have been given the chance to help with an 8month old foal with a view to showing her in hand next year. I would love to have a go but have no real experience with youngstock so can anyone advise me please on the right way to go about it and what I should be doing at what age. Currently she is in at night, out during the day and is quiet to handle but has not had any real work done with her, ie not tied up or feet picked up. She has already come a long way in the short time we have had her in terms of trust (she was pretty much unhandled) and I want to do things properly by her. With a view to showing her next year in Welsh pony/youngstock classes what do I especially need to teach her and what do I need to know myself.

 

[Carsmore]

she needs to be taught how to tie up and have her feet picked up. If you are unsure about tieing up, try threading a lunge line through a tie ring and fasten it to her headcollar. that way you can give a little when she pulls back but get her to walk forwards again. When teaching her to pick her feet up, dont expect too much too soon. Little and often. start with the front ones but start with as soon as she picks up put it back down, dont expect her to hold it up for ages. tie up at every oportunity and pick her feet up every time you tie up. Plenty of praise for her, keep talking to her telling her she is a good girl. when she isnt doing, change the tone of your voice. You need to be cracking on with this now. Make sure that she is leading from the side and not following you as if she jumps you will get hurt. Try to start practising standing her up as though for a judge, nice and square. Its takes practice. everything with youngsters is little and often. Good luck and hope you have plenty of fun showing her!