Shantara
Well-Known Member
Good grief, aren't you little miss high and mighty! No time to reply, I'm off to work now.
For the record, someone said I still work in Poundland..no, USED to work in poundland, left that dump a while back now.
How much would a foal cost, per month?
- Thread starter Shantara
- Start date
- Status
Good grief, aren't you little miss high and mighty! No time to reply, I'm off to work now.
For the record, someone said I still work in Poundland..no, USED to work in poundland, left that dump a while back now.
CarolineJ
Well-Known Member
Annie, I was going to write a long post here telling you about what happened when I had a foal as my first owned horse in my mid-20s, but it seems a bit irrelevant really 
So I'll just say that keeping him from birth to selling him as a 4 year old cost me in the region of £10,000 and I sold him to the most wonderful home, where he still is today, for £4,000 if I remember correctly. And this is a very well bred Danish warmblood.
So I'll just say that keeping him from birth to selling him as a 4 year old cost me in the region of £10,000 and I sold him to the most wonderful home, where he still is today, for £4,000 if I remember correctly. And this is a very well bred Danish warmblood.bugbee717
Well-Known Member
I don't know if u got my pm I am mk northants boarder, we currently have 6 youngsters and 2 more are coming next week, we must have been very lucky with our babies as all are well behaved. I can fully understand where you are coming from. It is your choice what you buy, clearly you are not stupid and can read. I got a lot of abuse when we got our first foal, funny thing is now who's the one with the better behaved horse.
Troyseph
Well-Known Member
As nice as it may seem to bring up your own foal, see it growing, see what it might turn into one day, see that all the hard work paid off when you're finally out riding your baby.
But!
Have you thought about ?
What if your foal has an accident/injury that makes it that he/she can never be ridden? (foals are clumsy little things, trust me! I'm sure they go looking for trouble!)
Once I'd been very experienced(involved in horses 12 years, backed my own youngsters( bought an untouched 3 year old etc) I decided I wanted a yearling. Ended up with a just weaned warmblood to make 16.2 ISH, beautiful foal, but so accident prone! Within having him a week we found him lying in the field, blood everywhere, turned out he'd tried to jump a fence, and ripped his leg badly! You could even see his tendons it was that serious.
It was thought he'd have to be pts ... But lucky for him not. Cue lots of bandaging a very unhappy foal who would kick out, leap buck rear etc, not for the faint hearted! Oh and a near grand vets bill! He'll never be able to be ridden properly, only hacking, slowly. :-( so we sold him to a very good home. And that was that.
But even in the week before he did it, he wasn't easy (I've dealt with alot of foals, bucking unnerves you, you say? Foals do alot worse! 9 times out of 10! I've dealt with alot of foals in the past. They are babies, they playl they test you big time.
From the posts you've put on here you don't sound ready. Maybe because you say their cute etc
But what if you can't bring it up properly, mannerly? You'll be left with a horse that is unruly, you'll be terrified of, probably won't ride and then what? I've seen it happen so many times.
So many good intentions. And the outcome is usually so bad.
Please have a think about it seriously. Yes you could bring up your own horse and enjoy it and then have the satisafaction you did it all, but like I said you could end up completely out of your depth with a horse you can't deal with or control and become attached to and don't want to part with.?
X
But!
Have you thought about ?
What if your foal has an accident/injury that makes it that he/she can never be ridden? (foals are clumsy little things, trust me! I'm sure they go looking for trouble!)
Once I'd been very experienced(involved in horses 12 years, backed my own youngsters( bought an untouched 3 year old etc) I decided I wanted a yearling. Ended up with a just weaned warmblood to make 16.2 ISH, beautiful foal, but so accident prone! Within having him a week we found him lying in the field, blood everywhere, turned out he'd tried to jump a fence, and ripped his leg badly! You could even see his tendons it was that serious.
It was thought he'd have to be pts ... But lucky for him not. Cue lots of bandaging a very unhappy foal who would kick out, leap buck rear etc, not for the faint hearted! Oh and a near grand vets bill! He'll never be able to be ridden properly, only hacking, slowly. :-( so we sold him to a very good home. And that was that.
But even in the week before he did it, he wasn't easy (I've dealt with alot of foals, bucking unnerves you, you say? Foals do alot worse! 9 times out of 10! I've dealt with alot of foals in the past. They are babies, they playl they test you big time.
From the posts you've put on here you don't sound ready. Maybe because you say their cute etc
But what if you can't bring it up properly, mannerly? You'll be left with a horse that is unruly, you'll be terrified of, probably won't ride and then what? I've seen it happen so many times.
So many good intentions. And the outcome is usually so bad.
Please have a think about it seriously. Yes you could bring up your own horse and enjoy it and then have the satisafaction you did it all, but like I said you could end up completely out of your depth with a horse you can't deal with or control and become attached to and don't want to part with.?
X
SeasonalSituation
Well-Known Member
Nope not miss high and mighty at all. But gaining independce is something you should consider before having a foal that relies on you.
Sorry if my post offended you but I have worked bloody damn hard to have what I do, not all of us are lucky to have a rent free life. I would NOT have got a horse until I had my independence and could support and look after myself never mind a horse. It's a struggle sometimes to afford everything for my boy a month, but I am lucky that I can budget well and have a OH who is way too understanding and does help out when needed.
Again sorry to have offended you, but you are 21 and maybe you should be thinking about yourself before a foal. At least until you are 100% sure that living at home is what you want for a long time.
FYI; m friend worked full time at a supermarket and earnt over £1000 each month AFTER tax so maybe look into your pay, though depends on your hours. I work full time, although I I take less hours I still make over £600 each month. This point isn't picking at you, but just have a look into it.
Sorry if my post offended you but I have worked bloody damn hard to have what I do, not all of us are lucky to have a rent free life. I would NOT have got a horse until I had my independence and could support and look after myself never mind a horse. It's a struggle sometimes to afford everything for my boy a month, but I am lucky that I can budget well and have a OH who is way too understanding and does help out when needed.
Again sorry to have offended you, but you are 21 and maybe you should be thinking about yourself before a foal. At least until you are 100% sure that living at home is what you want for a long time.
FYI; m friend worked full time at a supermarket and earnt over £1000 each month AFTER tax so maybe look into your pay, though depends on your hours. I work full time, although I I take less hours I still make over £600 each month. This point isn't picking at you, but just have a look into it.
BSJAlove
Well-Known Member
GAH i wrote out a huge long reply then it logged me out. Bad HHO!
Short version.. Theres no right or wrong way to produce a baby. I had one who was easiest thing to do. Really easy, and hes now in a new loan home and they are doing great. I never had a plan with him, i just took each day as it came. My other one however is a different story, shes a pain in the arse, questions everything and shes now at the horrible bulshy 5 year old stage. But its worth it.
In my mums day and age, you brought what you could afford and you stuck it out. Back in them days all she could afford was the little shits. She quickly learnt. Now a days, you should RS, then buy a school master then learn the ropes. IMO theres no right or wrong way. So long as you have help.
The only thing i would question for OP is your wage. When i passed my driving test, my insurance was £140 a month, then petrol ect it all adds up. Help will cost money and I doubt £550 a month would cover a car, petrol, insurance, livery, schooling, worming, vet bills, ect AND enjoying the fact your 17 and soon to be 18. Turning 18 was such a down point in my life, money vanished on nights out
Short version.. Theres no right or wrong way to produce a baby. I had one who was easiest thing to do. Really easy, and hes now in a new loan home and they are doing great. I never had a plan with him, i just took each day as it came. My other one however is a different story, shes a pain in the arse, questions everything and shes now at the horrible bulshy 5 year old stage. But its worth it.
In my mums day and age, you brought what you could afford and you stuck it out. Back in them days all she could afford was the little shits. She quickly learnt. Now a days, you should RS, then buy a school master then learn the ropes. IMO theres no right or wrong way. So long as you have help.
The only thing i would question for OP is your wage. When i passed my driving test, my insurance was £140 a month, then petrol ect it all adds up. Help will cost money and I doubt £550 a month would cover a car, petrol, insurance, livery, schooling, worming, vet bills, ect AND enjoying the fact your 17 and soon to be 18. Turning 18 was such a down point in my life, money vanished on nights out
Wagtail
Horse servant
Sorry, Annie. This is a disaster waiting to happen!
Swirlymurphy
Well-Known Member
Wow - what a long thread!
There's some sensible advice on here including some realistic costings.
However none of us on HHO know you, and your YO does. I would talk to her - get her opinions/estimates/advice and do what she says. There may be people on here who would advise you against it, but she is the one who will be helping you and will probably have the best idea of whether or not it is the right thing to do.
My only other comment would be to say that as with all things equine, you should come up with an estimate and then double it
Horses always cost more than you think!
Good luck with your decision making.
There's some sensible advice on here including some realistic costings.
However none of us on HHO know you, and your YO does. I would talk to her - get her opinions/estimates/advice and do what she says. There may be people on here who would advise you against it, but she is the one who will be helping you and will probably have the best idea of whether or not it is the right thing to do.
My only other comment would be to say that as with all things equine, you should come up with an estimate and then double it
Horses always cost more than you think!Good luck with your decision making.
rhino
Well-Known Member
This is a really good point, but reading OP's previous posts about the way things are done at the yard makes me even more concerned. I know I am not alone with this concern, several posters have already asked questions as to experience/qualifications/insurance etc.
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
This is very true.
OP I am incredibly lucky to have a fantastic mare that I can ride, enjoy and be tested by on occasion
I purchased her with my student loan
she was 7 and had just done the occasional hack, bringing her on despite years of experience of riding feisty and challenging problem horses and having previously owned a sparky little dude before who also needed a lot of work was very hard, I got there in the end, but not without a lot of self doubt and tears... rollercoaster was not the word! Since I purchased her I have had 6 others that I have worked on some unhandled, some 'little sh its' some neglected, one was just messed up and some who had been beaten. When I got benney he was 6 months old, and after the initial 'handling and manners' it soon became necasarry to just let him get on with growing up. You will find that foaly will not want to stand there for hours whilst being groomed like 'my little pony' or go for walks for hours, the best thing you can do for you horse is get it handled and then almost 'care for it from afar' 10 mins is a max for these babies, almost 2 years on I am now starting to be able to pick up the pace a bit with ben, we are doing a bit of long reining and he is more patient with a longer attention span, but if I didn't have my quirky little mare to take up my time I would probably have gone potty looking at my money drain in the field and not being able to do anything substantial with him. I now bring him in from the field and am itching to get on him for me the count down is on to June, but it is a very long haul. You will also have to factor in the cost of gelding if you get a colt, and also the general inevitability of vets fees... they do hurt themselves (ben is currently on box rest) and the more you care for them the more likely they are to break! (thats called sods law) Plus the vaccinations. £550 is not a lot per month when you will have to factor in all the care for your horses, you car, insurance for the horse and car (which as a new driver will NOT BE CHEAP!) and then put some aside for any vets bills you will have. A young horse will eventually need backing and schooling, something which you admit it not your strong point, will you have enough money to continue with your lessons while the youngster is growing and then to pay for lessons once it is being ridden, will you be 'doing it all' yourself or will you want to pay for your youngster to be broken in professionally? Factor in this cost, down here it can be anything from £85 to £150 a week, and if the professional is expected to do everything you will be looking at paying that for approximately 8 weeks if you want it done correctly, in addition to this you will have to pay for your ongoing livery bill at your yard. These things are all very cute and fluffy on the outside but scratch the surface and REALLY investigate it and I think you will find you do not have the money or the skill set and experience to do any youngster justice yet. I am 31 and have a lot more experience than you, I have ridden every little sh it the world wanted to throw at me, and unpicked most of the horses that came my way. The consideration of taking on a youngster was very well thought out by me in terms of finance and my ability, and I still asked for advice from others because even though I knew what I was doing, I doubted myself, Ben has been a star, but even he had a spate of rearing and fly bucking at the handler (for fun!!! It was not sodding fun) and despite my experience, this shook the hell out of me.
Are you a novice, probably not, but there is one thing that jumps out at me and tells me that you should not do this yet and it is this:
Before you get any horse, but especially a youngster you must tear yourself to shreds and critique yourself, hold yourself under a magnifying glass and point out all the reasons why you should not have a youngster, point out where your experience and skill is lacking, then make the decision, it is the responsible thing to do. You have not done this and therefore I personally think that it would be wrong to have a youngster/ foal. That is just my opinion, and you will do what you want but in every way you come across as someone who is not looking at the negatives, and is just glossing over the issue. Annie you are a very enthusiastic girl and if I was running a yard I would probably employ someone like you because of your dedication, enthusiasm and passion, I would also sell you a 'school master' type. On the other hand, I would be reluctant to sell you a quirky sharp horse or a foal.
On a final note, what happens if this youngster grows into a horse that is just too sharp or a horse who hates hacking, what happens if it turns out totally the wrong horse for you? You can't 'make' a horse into something it is simply not going to be just because you have it from a foal.
Be honest with yourself, and get some more experience there will always be foals in the future
Emilieu
Well-Known Member
This is very true.
A young horse will eventually need backing and schooling, something which you admit it not your strong point, will you have enough money to continue with your lessons while the youngster is growing and then to pay for lessons once it is being ridden, will you be 'doing it all' yourself or will you want to pay for your youngster to be broken in professionally? Factor in this cost, down here it can be anything from £85 to £150 a week, and if the professional is expected to do everything you will be looking at paying that for approximately 8 weeks if you want it done correctly, in addition to this you will have to pay for your ongoing livery bill at your yard. These things are all very cute and fluffy on the outside but scratch the surface and REALLY investigate it and I think you will find you do not have the money or the skill set and experience to do any youngster justice yet. I am 31 and have a lot more experience than you, I have ridden every little sh it the world wanted to throw at me, and unpicked most of the horses that came my way. The consideration of taking on a youngster was very well thought out by me in terms of finance and my ability, and I still asked for advice from others because even though I knew what I was doing, I doubted myself, Ben has been a star, but even he had a spate of rearing and fly bucking at the handler (for fun!!! It was not sodding fun) and despite my experience, this shook the hell out of me.
Are you a novice, probably not, but there is one thing that jumps out at me and tells me that you should not do this yet and it is this:
Before you get any horse, but especially a youngster you must tear yourself to shreds and critique yourself, hold yourself under a magnifying glass and point out all the reasons why you should not have a youngster, point out where your experience and skill is lacking, then make the decision, it is the responsible thing to do. You have not done this and therefore I personally think that it would be wrong to have a youngster/ foal. That is just my opinion, and you will do what you want but in every way you come across as someone who is not looking at the negatives, and is just glossing over the issue. Annie you are a very enthusiastic girl and if I was running a yard I would probably employ someone like you because of your dedication, enthusiasm and passion, I would also sell you a 'school master' type. On the other hand, I would be reluctant to sell you a quirky sharp horse or a foal.
On a final note, what happens if this youngster grows into a horse that is just too sharp or a horse who hates hacking, what happens if it turns out totally the wrong horse for you? You can't 'make' a horse into something it is simply not going to be just because you have it from a foal.
Be honest with yourself, and get some more experience there will always be foals in the future
What an excellent post, good advice, well expressed and considerate. OP I would read and consider this one very carefully.
QB, hope poor Ben feeling better soon
elsielouise
Well-Known Member
Haven't read this thread in total as looked at last few posts and didn't want to get too involved.
Do want to say this though..
A good, experienced friend of mine ended up this month with vet bills in excess of £4k following two separate bouts of surgery for issues relating to growth of a foal that in no way could have been foreseen. The foal is currently yet again undergoing box rest and incurring more daily costs as well as developing associated behavioural issues from being caged as a young colt 24/7.
This is NOT a cheap way to get a good horse in many many cases and you need exactly the same financial strength as you would for a full grown horse plus additional training costs as the animal matures.
TBH the wastage rate is also very high and potential pitfalls significant unless you are experienced AND lucky.
BUT.... BUT.... BUT
IF you are in a situation such as I was when I bought mine (i.e no livery costs/have another appropriate companion, good support and back up finances) then it is highly rewarding and you can get lucky enough to end up with exactly what you wanted.
I bought mine as a weanling 12 years ago and touch wood she has never been sick or sorry and I love everything about her but my foal wasn't my first horse and I'd worked in a stud before I got her. I will buy another in a few years as she reduces her workload and do it all again.
Good luck in whatever you decide but TBH I've read some of your other posts and I think that although you are clearly well intentioned and obviously very keen you are far better off looking for alternative ways of being with horses and not focussing on 'owning' quite as much just yet. You have plenty of time. Why not try and find some work in a stud and see what exactly is involved in working with young stock first?
Do want to say this though..
A good, experienced friend of mine ended up this month with vet bills in excess of £4k following two separate bouts of surgery for issues relating to growth of a foal that in no way could have been foreseen. The foal is currently yet again undergoing box rest and incurring more daily costs as well as developing associated behavioural issues from being caged as a young colt 24/7.
This is NOT a cheap way to get a good horse in many many cases and you need exactly the same financial strength as you would for a full grown horse plus additional training costs as the animal matures.
TBH the wastage rate is also very high and potential pitfalls significant unless you are experienced AND lucky.
BUT.... BUT.... BUT
IF you are in a situation such as I was when I bought mine (i.e no livery costs/have another appropriate companion, good support and back up finances) then it is highly rewarding and you can get lucky enough to end up with exactly what you wanted.
I bought mine as a weanling 12 years ago and touch wood she has never been sick or sorry and I love everything about her but my foal wasn't my first horse and I'd worked in a stud before I got her. I will buy another in a few years as she reduces her workload and do it all again.
Good luck in whatever you decide but TBH I've read some of your other posts and I think that although you are clearly well intentioned and obviously very keen you are far better off looking for alternative ways of being with horses and not focussing on 'owning' quite as much just yet. You have plenty of time. Why not try and find some work in a stud and see what exactly is involved in working with young stock first?
SophieLouBee
Well-Known Member
I have just read all of this, I think you are a lovely girl from reading your posts, and I'm not trying to repeat what anyone else has said. Be ware, I am going to post my life story!
I am the same age as you, and have posted a similar thread in the breeding section, read it and weep. I, like you, like to post in a light-hearted way, and the thread came across in the wrong manne,r partly. I'm still glad I posted it, as I am inexperienced with the breeding of horses & have taken the really good advice I received and re-considered my original plans & am not not pursuing what was an appealing idea, but very impractical (especially JanetGeorge, she has a wealth of knowledge). I was lead somewhat astray by 'back-yard' breeders, and could have ended up in a real mess. I am lucky enough to also have a very experienced business partner who bred-racehorses, who once informed was horrified! She will now be vetting anything I do with a fine toothcomb.
I had the funds to do what I wanted, but the money is definitely better off spent somewhere else
That is highlighted for a reason!
Now, I like to consider myself as fairly experienced with youngsters, as follows:
From 5, I rode at a riding school and at 7 started to hack out my Aunts cob.
At 12 I was approached, to go and ride/be taught at a breaking/schooling yard for ponies. Every day I was either, breaking, schooling, hacking 3/4/5 year olds, under the careful watch of an experienced trainer who has worked with horses internationally from a girl, she trained specifically at a top german dressage yard and produced the young horses there, traveled, then came back to england.
At 14 I got my FIRST horse of my own, an unbroken, unhandeled 2yo from a welsh dealer. Now he was the best damned horse I ever had, and was the safest horse out, anyone could have ridden him. Now if my instructor hadn't have picked him out for me, and I had chosen an unhandled 2yo, you see where this could have gone wrong! Sadly he was PTS due to liver disease at 5. So I broke him in myself, schooled him and was competing him at local shows before he was PTS, alongside this I was still riding the youngsters at the yard.
So, I took a break from horse ownership when he died, as I was devastated, consequently I left that yard as the memories were just too upsetting. In the midst of all this was my education, university plans (I got a place but didn't go as horses are my life.)
Needed another job whilst all the above was going on, so got in touch with a local racing yard after I passed my driving test, and worked there as a work rider for some months, until they cut my hours. I rode all manor of things there, most were bonkers and I learnt a lot,.I enjoyed it too as they also had youngsters to break, which they let me get my mitts on as they knew what I did.
Amongst this I took on my next horse, a 12y0 shirexpBA who is a handful to say the least, I also bought a few youngsters of my own to bring on and sell.
Needed another job, so got intouch with a livery & breeding yard. Got the job, just the usual stable duties, but also helping out with foal handling, mare & foal care, assisting the vet whilst he attended mares, learning about nutrition for mares & foals. Even handling their highland stallion & 2yo warmblood colt.
Then they went bust and made me redundant (sob).
So, rather than another job, I said, hey, why not start your own business (mad, mad woman). So I did, I do breaking and schooling freelance, and have lots of work, and my customer satisfaction is spot on (i'd hope so).
So, where I am today, considering partaking in the breeding industry. Not for money making, but for more experience, the first foal I breed (with a lot of help), I will keep for myself & see how he/she turns out. Then I might consider having a go (with my experienced business partner), at breeding some of her top quality mares & see if we can't produce some decent youngstock to our name. It's all only maybes though.
NO WAY, would I even consider having anything to do with a foal of my own unless I had done all of the above, and had the right support at hand.
Financially, I could have done it years ago, but I would have probably ended up in a right mess.
Sorry for ACTUALLY posting my whole life, but I really feel strongly that you need to read it so you can take it in. Maybe I seem quite over-dramatic, but it's important to learn from others.
I am the same age as you, and have posted a similar thread in the breeding section, read it and weep. I, like you, like to post in a light-hearted way, and the thread came across in the wrong manne,r partly. I'm still glad I posted it, as I am inexperienced with the breeding of horses & have taken the really good advice I received and re-considered my original plans & am not not pursuing what was an appealing idea, but very impractical (especially JanetGeorge, she has a wealth of knowledge). I was lead somewhat astray by 'back-yard' breeders, and could have ended up in a real mess. I am lucky enough to also have a very experienced business partner who bred-racehorses, who once informed was horrified! She will now be vetting anything I do with a fine toothcomb.
I had the funds to do what I wanted, but the money is definitely better off spent somewhere else
That is highlighted for a reason!
Now, I like to consider myself as fairly experienced with youngsters, as follows:
From 5, I rode at a riding school and at 7 started to hack out my Aunts cob.
At 12 I was approached, to go and ride/be taught at a breaking/schooling yard for ponies. Every day I was either, breaking, schooling, hacking 3/4/5 year olds, under the careful watch of an experienced trainer who has worked with horses internationally from a girl, she trained specifically at a top german dressage yard and produced the young horses there, traveled, then came back to england.
At 14 I got my FIRST horse of my own, an unbroken, unhandeled 2yo from a welsh dealer. Now he was the best damned horse I ever had, and was the safest horse out, anyone could have ridden him. Now if my instructor hadn't have picked him out for me, and I had chosen an unhandled 2yo, you see where this could have gone wrong! Sadly he was PTS due to liver disease at 5. So I broke him in myself, schooled him and was competing him at local shows before he was PTS, alongside this I was still riding the youngsters at the yard.
So, I took a break from horse ownership when he died, as I was devastated, consequently I left that yard as the memories were just too upsetting. In the midst of all this was my education, university plans (I got a place but didn't go as horses are my life.)
Needed another job whilst all the above was going on, so got in touch with a local racing yard after I passed my driving test, and worked there as a work rider for some months, until they cut my hours. I rode all manor of things there, most were bonkers and I learnt a lot,.I enjoyed it too as they also had youngsters to break, which they let me get my mitts on as they knew what I did.
Amongst this I took on my next horse, a 12y0 shirexpBA who is a handful to say the least, I also bought a few youngsters of my own to bring on and sell.
Needed another job, so got intouch with a livery & breeding yard. Got the job, just the usual stable duties, but also helping out with foal handling, mare & foal care, assisting the vet whilst he attended mares, learning about nutrition for mares & foals. Even handling their highland stallion & 2yo warmblood colt.
Then they went bust and made me redundant (sob).
So, rather than another job, I said, hey, why not start your own business (mad, mad woman). So I did, I do breaking and schooling freelance, and have lots of work, and my customer satisfaction is spot on (i'd hope so).
So, where I am today, considering partaking in the breeding industry. Not for money making, but for more experience, the first foal I breed (with a lot of help), I will keep for myself & see how he/she turns out. Then I might consider having a go (with my experienced business partner), at breeding some of her top quality mares & see if we can't produce some decent youngstock to our name. It's all only maybes though.
NO WAY, would I even consider having anything to do with a foal of my own unless I had done all of the above, and had the right support at hand.
Financially, I could have done it years ago, but I would have probably ended up in a right mess.
Sorry for ACTUALLY posting my whole life, but I really feel strongly that you need to read it so you can take it in. Maybe I seem quite over-dramatic, but it's important to learn from others.
Last edited:
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
Hey are you suggesting my new horse is some kind of freak
We will squish your puny toy horses under our giant feet
dumpling
Well-Known Member
It's taken me a while to read everything but I've got to the end
OP, in all honesty I think you should wake up and smell the coffee.
You come over as a very naive, perhaps even immature. The way you talk about things makes you sound , as others have said, very novicey.
Personally I'd scrap the idea of a foal. If you want your own equine , I suggest getting a good 'been there done that' horse that will teach you and will give you the experience of being soley responsible for something which relies on you. However, perhaps on your wage I'd say you'd be squeezing at the purse strings.
I've seen people by youngsters before and the **** has hit the fan. They trundle about them mollycoddling them which in return turns horsey into a big strong bolshy ill mannered beasty that they're to scared to even lead to the field. Horsey then gets papped off to the dealer.
Again, I really think you need to open your eyes to the real world.
OP, in all honesty I think you should wake up and smell the coffee.
You come over as a very naive, perhaps even immature. The way you talk about things makes you sound , as others have said, very novicey.
Personally I'd scrap the idea of a foal. If you want your own equine , I suggest getting a good 'been there done that' horse that will teach you and will give you the experience of being soley responsible for something which relies on you. However, perhaps on your wage I'd say you'd be squeezing at the purse strings.
I've seen people by youngsters before and the **** has hit the fan. They trundle about them mollycoddling them which in return turns horsey into a big strong bolshy ill mannered beasty that they're to scared to even lead to the field. Horsey then gets papped off to the dealer.
Again, I really think you need to open your eyes to the real world.
rhino
Well-Known Member
Hey are you suggesting my new horse is some kind of freak
We will squish your puny toy horses under our giant feet
dumpling
Well-Known Member
That sounds a bit harsh, but I really think you need some good hands on experience before thinking about a foal.
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
I saw that Highland X a few weeks ago as well, Merlin could use company and I'm in Scotland BUT no way am I experienced enough for a youngster! Though there's a place 20 miles away who back horses for a living and they're turning out some lovely, lovely horses for people who send theirs there...
*looks at current credit card bill*
*sits on hands*
Don't you dare
I'm robbing a bank later to pay for him...
glenruby
Well-Known Member
I only read 3 pages before feeling I have to post. Please do not get a foal - you do not have enough experience - or at least correct experience.
having watched the video of you riding Ned in the school a while back, 16years of riding to a poor standard doe not make you "exerienced". If I remember correctly you let him miss out all of the corners becausehe was scared of them - no asking him to go into them, no corrction, no progress. You cannot deal with a foal or youngster like that. Its a recipe for disaster. Breeding poor youngstock is bad enough but poor handling of youngsters creates adult horses who are dangerous or have behavioural problems -neither of which there is a amrket for. The fact you are not looking to sell is irrelevant - if the hoprse gets too much for you or injures you, you are likely to have to get rid of it - and the world doesnt need any more ill behaved horses, believe me!! Please be sensible and get an older experienced horse - and find a good instructor so that you make some real progress in the meantime!
having watched the video of you riding Ned in the school a while back, 16years of riding to a poor standard doe not make you "exerienced". If I remember correctly you let him miss out all of the corners becausehe was scared of them - no asking him to go into them, no corrction, no progress. You cannot deal with a foal or youngster like that. Its a recipe for disaster. Breeding poor youngstock is bad enough but poor handling of youngsters creates adult horses who are dangerous or have behavioural problems -neither of which there is a amrket for. The fact you are not looking to sell is irrelevant - if the hoprse gets too much for you or injures you, you are likely to have to get rid of it - and the world doesnt need any more ill behaved horses, believe me!! Please be sensible and get an older experienced horse - and find a good instructor so that you make some real progress in the meantime!
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
only going to cover a couple of your points and this time very briefly. You are not good at schooling, this is your own admission. You may ride a standard bred but schooling a trotter is perhaps the most difficult thing you could ever do it takes expert level of skill... you don't have that. Why do you think standard breds are often 'free'!
Any horse can do dressage, parelli, xc, hacking, endurance, even sodding polo! It does not mean that every horse lends itself naturally to such a discipline. Your naivity shines through every time you type, saying you ride one standard bred and therefore know the breed is a load of tosh. I would like to see you come back from a 20 mile ride with that type of trot. I also assume you are prepared to be very patient since you will be way nearer to 30 than 20 by the time you and your fluffy wickle foaly are able to safely compete at that sport.
One person said that a horse costs the same as a foal, the rest said it is initially cheaper. However, if you get the right horse, you will get everything with it. If you get the foal, you will if you are lucky get the headcollar and leadrope.
If you want people to take you seriously I suggest you dont come on here posting the way that you do about cute, fluffy lickle foals. Be consice, factual and show the forum what you say your made of, because I don't think anyone on here can see anything other than a really silly girl who refuses to take her head out of the sand and recognise her limitations, jesus christ, we all have them and you do not have to fulfil your lifetime dream by the time you are 22 at the potential expense of a horse/foal.
What will you do if this foal grows up into a horse you can't ride or that is entirely unsuitable, a bolter for instance?
I wonder why you have not asked your YO for her advice on cost analysis since she has so much experience, I also wonder what her opinion is about all this. You seem to quote her all the time, but at no point have I heard, My YO thinks I can do it and she knows me.
thatsmygirl
Well-Known Member
Iv read everything.
Op I think you sound a lovely girl and if you have the help as you say from experience people, and worked out your money side and really want a foal.... Go for it and enjoy yourself.
Foals are lovely and I enjoy every moment I spend with mine, they aren't monsters as some people seem to make them out to be, iv never had a bolshy rude or differcult foal they have all been bloody brill with their manners even the colts. Get them into a daily routain and they really do come on well. I bring them in every day for feeding, handling, feet picked out etc etc and haven't had any problems. Maybe if they were keep in the fields with not much handling they may become a bit differcult.
Lots off time is needed but it's well worth it. They really aren't that differcult with plenty off handling.
Iv got such a great bond with the foals iv kept I'm glade I had them as foals and look forward to breaking one next year.
If your not keen on a ex racer don't do it, I'm going against everybody here because iv been in the same position and it's the best thing I ever done was get a foal, so much so iv brought one each year. breaking begains next year and I'm looking forward to it.
Op I think you sound a lovely girl and if you have the help as you say from experience people, and worked out your money side and really want a foal.... Go for it and enjoy yourself.
Foals are lovely and I enjoy every moment I spend with mine, they aren't monsters as some people seem to make them out to be, iv never had a bolshy rude or differcult foal they have all been bloody brill with their manners even the colts. Get them into a daily routain and they really do come on well. I bring them in every day for feeding, handling, feet picked out etc etc and haven't had any problems. Maybe if they were keep in the fields with not much handling they may become a bit differcult.
Lots off time is needed but it's well worth it. They really aren't that differcult with plenty off handling.
Iv got such a great bond with the foals iv kept I'm glade I had them as foals and look forward to breaking one next year.
If your not keen on a ex racer don't do it, I'm going against everybody here because iv been in the same position and it's the best thing I ever done was get a foal, so much so iv brought one each year. breaking begains next year and I'm looking forward to it.
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
Fellewell
Well-Known Member
Like most people I think you just want to talk about your dreams with people who will understand. If you really are serious about this you will find the means (we all did
)
Foals are nice to look at but for real photography get yourself out on the moors/hills. Foals don't stay foals for long and they need youngsters to play with. OK your mate has one but what if she moves? If you get a colt you'll have the dangley issue to deal with. You should be working with horses IMO, living your dream.
As for RS ponies, they are not all paragons of virtue and people who ride them are not somehow second class riders as has been suggested. I've had the dirty stopper (broken collarbone) and the dressage twister (concussion) some of these horses are in RS because private homes won't keep them. Even the one I have at the moment came with a warning but has yet to show me what he's made of
)Foals are nice to look at but for real photography get yourself out on the moors/hills. Foals don't stay foals for long and they need youngsters to play with. OK your mate has one but what if she moves? If you get a colt you'll have the dangley issue to deal with. You should be working with horses IMO, living your dream.
As for RS ponies, they are not all paragons of virtue and people who ride them are not somehow second class riders as has been suggested. I've had the dirty stopper (broken collarbone) and the dressage twister (concussion) some of these horses are in RS because private homes won't keep them. Even the one I have at the moment came with a warning but has yet to show me what he's made of
Season’s Bleatings
Well-Known Member
As for RS ponies, they are not all paragons of virtue and people who ride them are not somehow second class riders as has been suggested. I've had the dirty stopper (broken collarbone) and the dressage twister (concussion) some of these horses are in RS because private homes won't keep them. Even the one I have at the moment came with a warning but has yet to show me what he's made of
Yes, many of the horses and ponies where I rode were like that.. honestly, I don't know where they got those little *****s from..!
shadowboy
Well-Known Member
I have now had 2 foals. They cost me about the same if not more that an adult horse- they outgrew rugs at a speedy rate. Their vacinations needed starting, so it wasnt just a yearly shot. They needed feeding- my adult version doesnt. Many yards don't allow them mixed in with adults, hence I bought a second.
I have a lot of experience but at times I felt at a loss- not because of bad behaviour or anything like that- because I had no one GENUINELY knowledgeable in youngstock to help nearby. lots of people think they know about youngstock but dont. I was unsure if the rate of growth was normal/how to get them to eat hard feed when they were dropping weight/how to spot developmental problems/conformation issues.
Owning them taught me a lot- and i still own one of them now and he has been amazing- but its a long term commitment- 4 years before you can really do anything with them. You will want to ride and wont be able to. Its actually cheaper to buy a 'ready made horse' if you dont have your own land due to the adition of livery.
The breed you have chosen has a lot of blood and really isnt a first foal type. Personally I would go for a native/cob as they tend to be more resiliant to living outdoors and easier to keep.
Personally if I were you I wouldnt- at your age- but if you are set on the idea be careful what you buy and where from....
I have a lot of experience but at times I felt at a loss- not because of bad behaviour or anything like that- because I had no one GENUINELY knowledgeable in youngstock to help nearby. lots of people think they know about youngstock but dont. I was unsure if the rate of growth was normal/how to get them to eat hard feed when they were dropping weight/how to spot developmental problems/conformation issues.
Owning them taught me a lot- and i still own one of them now and he has been amazing- but its a long term commitment- 4 years before you can really do anything with them. You will want to ride and wont be able to. Its actually cheaper to buy a 'ready made horse' if you dont have your own land due to the adition of livery.
The breed you have chosen has a lot of blood and really isnt a first foal type. Personally I would go for a native/cob as they tend to be more resiliant to living outdoors and easier to keep.
Personally if I were you I wouldnt- at your age- but if you are set on the idea be careful what you buy and where from....
trickivicki
Well-Known Member
completely irrelevant but that is the funniest photo ever!! (is being stolen and facebooked!!!)
I nearly died a pasta related death when it popped up!
Fellewell
Well-Known Member
Season’s Bleatings
Well-Known Member
Never look a gift horse in the mouth
Well, it did make the lessons 'interesting'! Did me good though, I was fearless as a teenager, wouldn't've thought twice about getting on to anything!
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
What an excellent post, good advice, well expressed and considerate. OP I would read and consider this one very carefully.
QB, hope poor Ben feeling better soon
and rather looooooooong
I preferred wagtails response said much the same in far less words:
Editted to say that ben is now sound as a pound and hopefully going back in the field on saturday
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amage
Well-Known Member
I haven't read all of this thread but OP please take note....I bred a cracking colt out of my grade a jumping mare. He is gorgeous, was as cute and cuddly as could be and is now a gorgeous yearling. However he is hard bloody work! I have loads of experience and then some and worked with hardy covering stallions for years yet I still ran into trouble! It hasd taken alot of work but his manners are now exemplary and I will take all the blame for them getting out of hand....I was still treating him as a cute cuddly foal yet he had grown to a 15h yearling. I am not trying to put you off but just be prepared...there will be days when you feel like you are forking out money and getting very little in return! As a youngster he will need young companions to rough and tumble with and be a horse. In terms of finance my fella costs me very little...but he is kept on oh's farm which makes things easy but there are still some big expenses. You have to factor in gelding if necessary, feet paring, vaccinations, dosing. You need somewhere with turnout all yr round and that has companions.
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