Handling youngster, should her friend me close by?

[SpruceRI]

Today I was grooming my youngster in the field shelter whilst my other 2 were milling about outside. Rosie heard something and trotted off and youngster went mad.

She didn't settle, so I went and got Rosie and tied her up to a tree nearby.

Am I making a rod for my own back here? Or should I keep one of her pals within eyeshot?

Youngster is 2yrs old and been with me since June.

 

[Tia]

There's nothing wrong with keeping an other horse nearby when you are first starting to handle your youngster. Better for the youngster to have pleasant times with being handled than associating it as a bad experience. Just take your time and eventually you will probably find that she will enjoy being with you, whether the others are around or not.

 

[shamrock04]

l agree with christiamas but as you get closer to backing her l would start to put her on her own as when it comes to riding her in a school or hacking out horses always sell better with "hacks out alone or in company" so it all depends if you are buying to sell or for yourself but at the end of the day horses are a herd animal don't forget plus if you or a friend have a simular age horse then you pair them up as she is only a baby still......

 

[SpruceRI]

Thanks

The ponies were milling round the field shelter this morning while I got her ready for her show. She was fine going away from them. Loaded and travelled well. Was an angel at the show, came home and so pleased to be back out in the field with her pals.