Advice On Youngsters

[Indie2021]

Hi All,

Im looking to get a couple of youngsters in to start working with. I've had experience years and years ago but they were someone else's horses. After a long break from horses I'm looking to get back into the swing of things. I have a been looking at a couple of youngsters around 13hh to work with to potentially make into a nice little ponys for the girls, before looking to get anything to big in for myself.

I'm just looking for any advice or guidance on working with youngsters.

What things to take into consideration?
Experiences with colts?
What to look out for when buying a colt, filly or gelding?
Any advice you think would help ...

I know some people on here are super experienced so any advice you have to share would be greatly appreciated.

Ooh and just to clarify yes I can look to buy something already broken ect, but I want the experience of working with horses on the ground again.

X

 

[Caol Ila]

If it's a filly, make sure it's not pregnant. Unless you want it to be.

Sorry, I can't help myself anymore. And sometimes it's not even funny! On one of my recent horse viewing adventures, I jokingly asked the owner if the mare in question could be pregnant (because this will be a running joke....forever), and she said, "Well, the previous owner tried putting her in foal but they don't think it took....."

Nope.

 

[Firefly9410]

If you want to buy a colt do you have somewhere to keep it? Most livery yards will not take them.

As it is your first youngster I would choose a quiet temperament over anything else. Also pay attention to conformation if you want it to be capable of work and not just a field pet.

I recommend the book The ABC Of Breaking And Schooling Horses by Josephine Knowles which takes you from foal-hood to adulthood.

 

[Indie2021]

Thank you for the advice ?
I'm currently looking at a 2 year old gelding as I know some places don't like colts.

 

[angel7]

Check with your vet the cost of gelding, many have weird and wonderful rules now like they wont do them in the field, need to be stabled afterwards and no change from £500 for a straightforward one, double it for a problem.
Many yards will also not allow them so hard to find suitable livery too.