Buying a foal, what to look for etc?

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Sandstone1

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Im considering buying a foal. Maybe next year. I have had a youngster before, but not a foal.
Is there anything I should look for and take in to consideration?
Im aware that it will be three years before I will be able to ride it, Im prepared for the hard work and time involved.
Just looking for any advice and tips from anyone who has done tis.
thanks
 
I think it depends what your looking for - but when I was looking at Warmblood foals last year I looked for; a good walk, I was also looking at how heathly and alert they were, I was looking for good bone, I looked at the Dam temperment, researched the Sire (I even called the Stud and asked info on the Sire).
Height will always be a gamble.
I couldn't given stoke the foal I actually bought but he had such a kind eye.
 
What sort of foal are you after? a particular breed? think about what you want it to do and look at appropriate stock.

I would start by having a very good look around. look at the sire and the dam and scritinise them thoroughly. Take someone experienced with you, that won't look at them through 'cute foaly spectacles'and research parentage online. ideally see photographs of siblings too :)
 
I was in your position just over a year ago as I was in search of my perfect foal! I had a general idea that I wanted a warmblood type to be able to compete at BE and all RC activities, to mature to 16hh plus, preferably a filly but would consider a colt and then my budget which included cost of the foal, a vet check and travel expenses. I ended up finding her online (on horsemart!) however she was 9 hours away by car from me but i just had a gut feeling about her so I e-mailed her breeder, recieved lots of photos and videos of her walking, trotting and playing with mum! Her breeder owned both her dam and sire so was able to give me lots of information such as tempremant, ridden history, their parentage and again lots of pics and videos. I also spoke to a lady who had an older full sister to the foal and again saw photos. We made the long journey down to see her as well as her dam and sire as although I knew she was right just wanted to check and see her for myself. She was just how I imagined and was perfect, a year later she is still as perfect ;) Just get as much information as possible, look at BOTH parents in as much detail as you can and also how they will be bringing the foal up in its first few months as I believe this is very important. Good luck, its very exciting and not once have I regretted my decision!
 
Thanks, Im thinking of a larger native breed, sec D or fell etc.

Do you put a deposit on foal when you find the one you want?

Im thinking most are weaned at six months, is it best to leave foal with breeder for a while after this?
Im thinking it would be best for foal to stay with other youngsters for a while before the upset of moving home.
 
I left a deposit on my colt.
He was weaned at 4 months and I collected him the next day.
Loading has got to be the most stressful part - I recommend a trailer with no partition.
As a yearling now he is growing up in a herd and being a youngster.
I covered all the basics in his first year and now his turned away for 2 years.
 
itsmylife said:
Thanks, Im thinking of a larger native breed, sec D or fell etc.

Do you put a deposit on foal when you find the one you want?

Im thinking most are weaned at six months, is it best to leave foal with breeder for a while after this?
Im thinking it would be best for foal to stay with other youngsters for a while before the upset of moving home.
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If its a native your after then especially if its a welsh make sure it has a Welsh Pony and Cob Society passport (they are green) and that they are identified as a 'D' as if not you may find it to be difficult to show in the future.

Yes I put a deposit the day I went to see her. I paid 1/4 of her final price and recieved a receipt after this.

im another one for my foal being weaned early, she was wean about 4 months old, once seperated from her mum over a weeks period her mum was moved yards and she stayed at 'home'. She then stayed there for another couple of weeks until she was quite happy on her own, grazing, eating a hard feed etc. I used a transport company to bring her up for me with it being such a long journey and would highly recomend Eric Gillies as the whole loading/travelling process was stress free for her.

It all depends what kind of home you get them from and if the person is knowledgeable enough to do all this then the foal should be pretty much stress free throughout the experience.

Since she has been with us she has been turned out into a mixed herd, this was one of the worst parts was turning her out for the first time! If you dont have a 'babies' field I would recomend puting her in with a couple of older horses, possibly ones who have bred before as the first field we attempted to put her in was a disaster with too many 'middle aged' horses not knowing what to do with her!
 
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