First time foal owners

[Ranyhyn]

Is it what you expected? Is is harder or easier? Is there anything you would do differently?

Kitty

 

[NotAnotherChestnut]

ARGH! I just wrote a long reply to this and managed to lose it! GRR!

In summary what I said was.. I have found it to be incredibly rewarding and incredibly frustrating - not sure I'd call it harder as I didn't know what to expect in the first place.

I guess rewarding comes when she does something bold as brass such as marching over tarpaulin or poles like she'd been doing it all her life... though frustrating when she does something like be completely fine with a fly spray bottle for months and one day decide that it is, in fact the scariest thing on earth and rear.. ??!! One step forwards.. 2 steps back sometimes!

I know she will get there.. and she IS getting there.. and I am still loving it..

I guess one thing I would do differently.. I bought her as a completely unhandled 18 month old so she had learnt to be a horse and knew her own horsey mind. She is therefore taking much longer to accept humans as a part of her life than her sister who was 6 months old when she was bought. Personally, I don't think I would choose to buy another baby that had been left untouched for that long... HAVING SAID THAT... the first day I gave her a scratch and a cuddle was one of the most rewarding moments so far...

 

[emmaln]

It's fantastic! I bought mine 2 years ago at 10 months and have experience with youngsters as i worked on a stud farm but there's nothing like having your own she's a part bred sec D and it's been fantastic to watch her grow and learn. I'm backing her at the end of the month and i just can't wait!

She's so chilled most of the time but everytime she has a growth spurt she turns into a tank driven by Mr T!!!!!!!!!

Only thing i regret is not taking her showing sooner!

Tegan at 10 months all fluffy and yummy...

Tegan at 3 at her first show on Sunday!!!

 

[Archie07]

I bought my boy home at 8 months old. I had no experience of anything so young but I've loved every minute of it. Don't get me wrong it's hard work and you need more patience than a saint but it's worth it. I look at him some days and my heart melts and some when I could quite happy pack him off somewhere but it's so exciting planning the future and all those dreams yet knowing that you are making this pony in my case into the type of pony I'd like him to be. I like knowing his full history and bringing him up with manners etc. I enjoy teaching and showing him new things and I love the challenge the babies throw at you, and keep throwing at you! My boy has a home with me for life no matter happens as I just could not part with him from having him from 8 months old, it is definitely very rewarding.

 

[Fazzie]

Its been amazing so far (hes 4 weeks old and 1 day today) his birth was earlier than expected and very stressfull as my gelding tried to attack him through the fence as mare had him midday in the field!!
But once gelding was moved and mare and foal were settled its been fab!! Im not totally a new foal owners as my parents bred arabs for years but this is 'my' first one

he was meant to be a coloured filly, yet his a bay colt with a gorgeous half wall eye

and I love him to bits. His the first foal for my o/h and tbh hes better with him than me!!

hes already leading and picking up each foot, loves been groomed each day and comes galloping up to us neighing every day

makes my heart melt and its lovely knowing that we'll be the ones to do everything with him, as he wont be sold on.
its so rewarding

xx

 

[Donkeymad]

I have never had dealing with foals in any real terms before, so the birth of my mares foal three weeks ago has been unique for me. I did have a worrying time the day after her birth, when the mare wouldn't let her suckle, that was rectified naturally by evening, and since then life has been wonderful. There has been nothing, other than that one day, that has been stressful, and so far nothing has been difficult. The foal is growing and learning well.

 

[twisteddiamond]

i bought my big lad as an unhandled 9 month old colt, id never had a foal before, it was a lot harder than i expected it to be, but it was incredibly rewarding, all his firsts were with me (even the bad ones), and he has turned into a lovely well mannered chap, who is always getting compliments on his good behaviour
the week he arrived

all grown up

 

[badgerdog]

I got mine when she was 7 months old, having no experience of youngsters. I've recently backed her at 3 and it's been a fantastic experience. I've loved all the groundwork and getting on her for the first time was amazing. We've built up a great relationship while she's been growing up and would recommend it to anyone who is experienced, patient and a capable rider.

At 7 months

Backing her at 3