Buying foals, best advice you can give ?

[chocolategirl]

So I’ve had horses for almost 50 years, I had a yearling when I was 21, and now my daughter who’s a similar age to me when I got my youngster, would like to buy a couple of weanlings (we live on a farm) and I’m really hesitant for some reason. I’m well aware of the potential pitfalls, but am I being ridiculous denying her this experience? She’d be buying them herself, and luckily for her, wouldn’t have to pay for livery or forage, but will have to fund all the other associated costs, so am I just worrying unnecessarily? I can help her with some things on a daily basis, but I feel a bit ‘rusty’ now tbh when it comes to rearing foals. I guess I’m just looking for a bit of advice and reassurance ?tia

 

[AdorableAlice]

My advice is to take a good hard look at the dam and sire and their dams and sires conformation before buying any foals. Plus competition records.

Once foals are home insure them for vet costs and make sure your fencing is foal safe, then don't over feed and risk rapid growth.

 

[Kaylum]

Mouth you need to check the jaw and make sure it's not undershot or overshot.

 

[Clodagh]

If she is looking at a couple of cheapies, like Newfie’s or Exmoors good luck to her. Enjoy!
If she is a sensible girl it should be fun. I had one when I was a teen and it was great.

 

[chocolategirl]

My advice is to take a good hard look at the dam and sire and their dams and sires conformation before buying any foals. Plus competition records.

Once foals are home insure them for vet costs and make sure your fencing is foal safe, then don't over feed and risk rapid growth.

Would you get them vetted? I didn't get mine done all those years ago, I bought direct from the stud, but I'm thinking it's probably wise knowing what I know now? I know it would only be a basic check, but I don't want the breeder to feel offended if we suggest it ?

 

[splashgirl45]

i bought a 15month old filly and didnt have any vetting done. i did see both the dam and sire who both had very good temperaments and my filly had good confirmation although she was croup high..lost her at 24, so didnt do too badly..

 

[Snow Falcon]

What sort of breed? I can highly recommend NF's! The best advice I can offer with those sort is keep stabled until able to put headcollar on. They will happily jump anything so secure fencing required. Don't over handle, let them grow naturally and have plenty of turnout for mental and physical well being.

 

[chocolategirl]

What sort of breed? I can highly recommend NF's! The best advice I can offer with those sort is keep stabled until able to put headcollar on. They will happily jump anything so secure fencing required. Don't over handle, let them grow naturally and have plenty of turnout for mental and physical well being.

 

[chocolategirl]

Id

ID x, and the plan would hopefully be for them to live out as much as possible ?

 

[Snicklefritz]

Buying and raising foals can be very rewarding, but it is a lot of work!
My advice on shopping:
1) Look at the Sire and Dam, as well as full and half-siblings: do they have the characteristics you are looking for?
2) Analyze the pedigree: what can of performance records do you find?
3) Watch the foals move and see if it fits your performance goals

Once you get home:
1) buy a foal halter with a grab strap! These are essential. Ask me how I know!! lol.
2) Plan to interact with the foal daily to get used to handling. Even if the horses live out, try to find the foal into the barn with its dam at least once per day so they get used to being led around. This will pay off in spades later. It is a lot easier to teach a young foal how to lead when you can still grab it all the way around. A few months later, they will be too big to do this.
3) Keep on top of trimming and turnout as necessary. Foals don't always come out straight and so sometimes turnout has to be restricted in the first few weeks. Some foals need regular trims or glue-ons in the first few months of life. Staying up top of this sort of thing makes things a lot easier down the road.

 

[Xmasha]

I love having foals , and thoroughly enjoy the 0-3 process .
Do your research on the sire and dam, there are some lines sharper than others . I personally would get a 2 stage vetting . Just someone to check eye /heart also to check for any swellings in joints .
Then I’d ensure they had the right company , a good broodmare to keep them in check / put manners Into them .

 

[Jellymoon]

Personally, I’d be interested to know how they are being weaned, as I think this has a bearing on how stressy they may be when they arrive. And how much handling they have had, and if it was done well. Would be a great advantage if they are already used to being handled.
Def go for temperament, so get your daughter to research the lines she is considering. If she expects you to help, the least she can do is find you kind little ones!!
Then make the field safe - maybe find out if they are familiar with electric? Personally, I find three/four strands of strong electric the best for stopping babies doing stupid things.
And lastly, is there a plan for winter? How muddy is your field likely to get? Can they live out? If not, is there a suitable barn they can share?
That sort of thing.
If your daughter is sensible, capable, and has thought all of this through in a rational way, then I wouldn’t stop her from doing it.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I bought two ID weanlings on impulse at Ballinasloe Fair in 2019. Afterwards I was excited, worried and exasperated with myself in equal measure. They had caught my eye because one was being so naughty and bold and the other extraordinarily passive. Just what you look for in a horse right? They arrived a month or so later and it’s been great watching them grow and develop and learn. I love them and their breeder and his wife have become good friends. We’ve visited each other and can chat for hours on the ‘phone. They have both been lightly backed and were uncomplicated and are now turned away until next Spring. It’s been so rewarding and just what I needed after leaving my old life in the UK behind after an experience at work that has left indelible mental scars.