Getting a colt ready for BEF classes???

[_jetset_]

Realistically, what sort of preparation would I need to get Troy ready?

He will be living out at the time... the class I would like to take him to is at the very beginning of August. He leads and trots up really well, I am thinking more of him not looking like a fluff ball

So for example, would you start bringing in at night and when would you start this?

 

[S_N]

H was out 24/7 for both of his and will be out 24/7 for this years. Only rugged with a LW TO if bad weather. He wasn't fed up for condition either - don't believe in over topping youngsters. You will need to bit him at some point, so he is used to this. Also, might be an idea to get him used to poles lieing on the ground, as he will be required to trot around a triangle (obviously a large one) of pole laid out in the arena. Any handling you do with him will be a bonus - loading, plaiting, grooming etc....

 

[_jetset_]

Thanks honey... we have done walking over poles in the arena already, so will do some work of trotting inside them

Condition wise, he will not really be fed anything other than grass at that point, although I might give him some TopSpec for his vits and mins etc. But I don't need anything that will speed up his growing as he is already 15hh at 9 months

I'll get some pictures of him when I next go and see him... I would like some criticism on him as to whether I would be wasting my time taking him

Loading, plaiting and bitting is definitely something I need to work on... he is great to groom and lead though so hopefully he'll take the rest in his stride.

 

[Ciss]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks honey... we have done walking over poles in the arena already, so will do some work of trotting inside them

[/ QUOTE ]

No you have to trot OUTSIDE them, not inside, and use them as a guide rather than a tight route. Triangle should be ca 15 X 15 X 15 m and all corners clearly markd with poles meeting at approx 60 deg.

One thing I always recommend give is that rather than tearing round out of balance it is often best to do a half halt in hand at the corners to enable the horse get back onto its hocks and ready to push off for the next side.

HTH

 

[no_no_nanette]

Really interesting for us too, as probably planning to take our chap (who will be a yearling) to the South East (yippee!!) Futurity grading in July ...

Ciss, a quick query which i hope might also be of relevance to any others thinking of presenting their youngsters who are not "perfect" - Fionn has small lump on the front canon bone of a hind leg where he was kicked by mum as a small foal; doesn't affect his movement in any way, and as he grows and the bone chip that was "semi detached" reattaches and the lump shrinks its becoming almost unnoticeable. But will this affect the gradings?

Also really useful to know that he will have to be bitted - didn't realise this .... Looks like you are going to have a lot of "first timers" attending the gradings, but I guess that's all good!

 

[_jetset_]

Could imagine my embarressment had you not corrected me

I'll post a picture of the scruffy little man when I next get one... This was him at 6 months and 5 months: