hobgoblin
Well-Known Member
It costs roughly the same to keep a foal as a horse
How much would a foal cost, per month?
- Thread starter Shantara
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cassie summers
Well-Known Member
Are your parents going to finance your car because the insurance will be a fortune on its own running a car is not cheap why dont you get something about 3 years old that you can start to break and turn away why a foal is it because they are cheaper to buy easier to get hold of i personally think they should be turned out in a herd once they have been weaned to learn how to be a horse and socialise with their own kind not to be played with they are hard work and i wouldnt take one on and i am 50 and have grown up with horses i would think really hard before you enter into this and why and standardbred have really looked into their breeding
Standardbred
The Standardbred is best known as a harness racing breed.
Standardbreds are a breed of horse best known for their ability to race in harness at a trot or pace instead of under saddle at a gallop. Developed in North America, the breed is now recognized worldwide for its harness racing ability
Standardbred
The Standardbred is best known as a harness racing breed.
Standardbreds are a breed of horse best known for their ability to race in harness at a trot or pace instead of under saddle at a gallop. Developed in North America, the breed is now recognized worldwide for its harness racing ability
cassie summers
Well-Known Member
surely if you wanted to do endurance you would be better off with an arab or anglo arab i dont want to sound harsh but this is a bit "pie in the sky"to me sorry
rockysmum
Well-Known Member
Sorry to have to agree with just about everyone else, but I agree that the doesn't sound like a good idea.
I have had horses all my life and a foal once. It was a good learning experience but not something I would repeat.
First, and most important, you have actually no idea what it will turn out like. Yes it might take after one of its parent, but it might not. My foal ended up a full hand smaller than both his parents and he was always well fed and cared for. I think he grew a bit more after I sold him as a 3.5 year old but not much.
Second I was looking at statistics and a lot of foals dont actually survive intact to go onto a useful life. I would have been devastated if anything had happened to mine.
Third, make mistakes and the horse is ruined for life.
Fourth, it will be years before you can actually do much with it. Yes it can be backed as a three year old and start work at four. But I wouldn't start doing things like endurance until it was much much older.
Fifth, by the time you work out livery and other costs until its old enough to do the job you want, you could have bought something really outstanding which is already achieving. I bet £10,000 in the first five years would be cheap.
Sixth, at the end of it all you might not like what you get. For examples standardbreds are racehorses, bred for many years to do that and nothing else. I know a few people who race them. Although they are handled by experienced handlers and thrashed around from a very young age, many of them are completely nuts. And there owners dont mind this, they think attitude makes them winners. One I remember was vicious on a scale that defies belief to people and horses, but he was fast so they bred from him.
And finally, if it does not end up being what you want, you will have the heartbreak of having to sell it. I had to do that with mine or he would just have become a field ornament. Probably one of the hardest things I had ever had to do was part with my baby, even though he went to the best home.
I have had horses all my life and a foal once. It was a good learning experience but not something I would repeat.
First, and most important, you have actually no idea what it will turn out like. Yes it might take after one of its parent, but it might not. My foal ended up a full hand smaller than both his parents and he was always well fed and cared for. I think he grew a bit more after I sold him as a 3.5 year old but not much.
Second I was looking at statistics and a lot of foals dont actually survive intact to go onto a useful life. I would have been devastated if anything had happened to mine.
Third, make mistakes and the horse is ruined for life.
Fourth, it will be years before you can actually do much with it. Yes it can be backed as a three year old and start work at four. But I wouldn't start doing things like endurance until it was much much older.
Fifth, by the time you work out livery and other costs until its old enough to do the job you want, you could have bought something really outstanding which is already achieving. I bet £10,000 in the first five years would be cheap.
Sixth, at the end of it all you might not like what you get. For examples standardbreds are racehorses, bred for many years to do that and nothing else. I know a few people who race them. Although they are handled by experienced handlers and thrashed around from a very young age, many of them are completely nuts. And there owners dont mind this, they think attitude makes them winners. One I remember was vicious on a scale that defies belief to people and horses, but he was fast so they bred from him.
And finally, if it does not end up being what you want, you will have the heartbreak of having to sell it. I had to do that with mine or he would just have become a field ornament. Probably one of the hardest things I had ever had to do was part with my baby, even though he went to the best home.
Shantara
Well-Known Member
Ok...quick bullet points before I got for a drive!
. I've heard anything can do Endurance, with the correct training, doesn't have to be an arab.
. I know what Standardbreds are like, I ride one every week.
. I'm not looking for a cheap option, that's nothing to do with anything. Also, while looking, foals have been more expensive than horses.
. I would have plenty of help. The RS I ride at isn't a typical RS. We get in broken, unwanted, unused, foals, youngsters and adults and re-break them. Even the ponies have come wild off the mountains.
. I'll have 8+ other horses to ride while it grows, I won't be missing out.
. If I was going to quit every time a horse did something like buck, rear, bolt, push, barge...I'd have given up long ago.
. I don't know how much horses cost, that's why I asked. I bet you would have all reacted differently if I had posted "How much does a horse cost?" Just because I don't know prices, doesn't mean I'm an idiot. If I can't afford it, I won't do it.
. If a horse costs the same as a foal, why would I be better off, money wise?
. It'll be more or less the same time next year I plan on getting this thing, that's plenty of time to learn the basics.
. Last, but not least. Forums and the internet are an awful place for misjudging people. I wish you could get to know me outside of the internet. Some people on here seem really mean and I bet they're not in real life. I'm sure you'd find me quite different outside of the forum, it's often hard to type what I really mean and make it sound how I want it.
. I've heard anything can do Endurance, with the correct training, doesn't have to be an arab.
. I know what Standardbreds are like, I ride one every week.
. I'm not looking for a cheap option, that's nothing to do with anything. Also, while looking, foals have been more expensive than horses.
. I would have plenty of help. The RS I ride at isn't a typical RS. We get in broken, unwanted, unused, foals, youngsters and adults and re-break them. Even the ponies have come wild off the mountains.
. I'll have 8+ other horses to ride while it grows, I won't be missing out.
. If I was going to quit every time a horse did something like buck, rear, bolt, push, barge...I'd have given up long ago.
. I don't know how much horses cost, that's why I asked. I bet you would have all reacted differently if I had posted "How much does a horse cost?" Just because I don't know prices, doesn't mean I'm an idiot. If I can't afford it, I won't do it.
. If a horse costs the same as a foal, why would I be better off, money wise?
. It'll be more or less the same time next year I plan on getting this thing, that's plenty of time to learn the basics.
. Last, but not least. Forums and the internet are an awful place for misjudging people. I wish you could get to know me outside of the internet. Some people on here seem really mean and I bet they're not in real life. I'm sure you'd find me quite different outside of the forum, it's often hard to type what I really mean and make it sound how I want it.
*hic*
village idiot :D
*sighs heavily*
Ladylina83
Well-Known Member
Hi OP
As the owner of both a riding horse and a home bred yearling I'd like to offer my 2'peneth
Paying nearly £30 a week to keep a youngster is a waste of money ! - if you want to go ahead with this you should find somewhere with grass livery as all they need doing to them really in the 1st 2 years of their lives is brushing a bit, walking about and to be given hay, they need company and to learn to be a horse. I keep my 2 at seperate yards because of this. Say grass livery = 780 a year compared to stabling at = £1404 a year. I ditto that after the cute and fluffy stage they really are a bit boring.
I worry that if you kept a foal on livery you could end up with a bit of a bolshy little number - I truely believe being chucked out in a field is the best thing for them.
The other thing is, my lad is a walk in the park - I really couldn't ask for better yet I've still managed to brake a finger be kicked in the kneecap whilst being pinned against a fence and reared and lashed out out resulting in a nasty bruise on my hip bone and I'm 5'9", you see with sole responsibility they push you to find the line , many times to learn that the can not do something they have to do it first !
also the house and car thing - do you really have no drive for independence ?? do you just want to work in poundland for the rest of your life and live with your Mum till you are past child bearing age ??
When I was 21 I too was learning to drive - I had my horse on DIY livery and I walked to the farm every day, I was a dental nurse on £880 a month, renting a room in a shared house and I managed to get £12000 in debt, I have only just finished paying this off at 29. Now I am living with my BF's Mum and dad so we can save up for a house of our own and have a family. don't dismiss your future in favour for a foal - you have plenty of time!
I think the idea of going to work away on a stud is fantastic and if I was you at your age I would throw myself at the opertunity. What a fantastic experiance and it really would shape your future ! - I can see that if you had come on the forum and said I've been working on a stud for 2 years and now I want my own foal this thread may have gone very differently
As the owner of both a riding horse and a home bred yearling I'd like to offer my 2'peneth
Paying nearly £30 a week to keep a youngster is a waste of money ! - if you want to go ahead with this you should find somewhere with grass livery as all they need doing to them really in the 1st 2 years of their lives is brushing a bit, walking about and to be given hay, they need company and to learn to be a horse. I keep my 2 at seperate yards because of this. Say grass livery = 780 a year compared to stabling at = £1404 a year. I ditto that after the cute and fluffy stage they really are a bit boring.
I worry that if you kept a foal on livery you could end up with a bit of a bolshy little number - I truely believe being chucked out in a field is the best thing for them.
The other thing is, my lad is a walk in the park - I really couldn't ask for better yet I've still managed to brake a finger be kicked in the kneecap whilst being pinned against a fence and reared and lashed out out resulting in a nasty bruise on my hip bone and I'm 5'9", you see with sole responsibility they push you to find the line , many times to learn that the can not do something they have to do it first !
also the house and car thing - do you really have no drive for independence ?? do you just want to work in poundland for the rest of your life and live with your Mum till you are past child bearing age ??
When I was 21 I too was learning to drive - I had my horse on DIY livery and I walked to the farm every day, I was a dental nurse on £880 a month, renting a room in a shared house and I managed to get £12000 in debt, I have only just finished paying this off at 29. Now I am living with my BF's Mum and dad so we can save up for a house of our own and have a family. don't dismiss your future in favour for a foal - you have plenty of time!
I think the idea of going to work away on a stud is fantastic and if I was you at your age I would throw myself at the opertunity. What a fantastic experiance and it really would shape your future ! - I can see that if you had come on the forum and said I've been working on a stud for 2 years and now I want my own foal this thread may have gone very differently
scarymare
Well-Known Member
Sorry, haven't read the posts as I REALLY must do work today but having had 5 foals now (3 of my own) I would actually say on average very little. The foaling can be expensive (I was £600 last year on a retained placenta) but presumably you are buying a weanling? TBH I keep mine at home and the only cost has been winter haylage ad-lib (don't think they eat much though), mineral lick in field and wormers. I leave mine with mums till they self wean though (about a year) and I think that helps. As long as you have good grass and forage, you probably shouldn't be feeding masses. I was feeding my late foal (4 months old today) with stud balancer etc but since the change of clocks she's just on haylage and doing much better for it. Of course you should really vaccinate for tetanus at least too.
HazyXmas
Well-Known Member
Hi Annie
i do understand how you feel, foals are awfully cute & after working with, & owning horses for many years i decided that i too would like a foal & duly toddled off to the New Forest Sales at the end of November four years ago. I came home with a totally wild yearling & the sweetest 5 month old. They were HARD work! It was a very rewarding experience but nothing in my past had prepared me for handling these wild creatures. Luckily i realised very quickly that i needed help & called on Sarah Weston for advice. She was fantastic, she came up & put us on the right path. The ponies are now both broken & although not grown big enough for us they will both be useful PC ponies.
I know that you can get NF's that will make 14.2, they are hardy & for the most part, a fairly sensible breed that will turn their hoof to many things, might that be an option to consider?
I must admit that i went back to the sales the following year & bought two more very young foals. They have been very naughty & get into constant trouble, i will keep them until they are broken in but i won't be putting myself through all the work & heartache again. Only sensible older horses for me from now on
PM me if you would like to come & visit mine little lot, i don't think that you are too far away from me.
Best wishes
i do understand how you feel, foals are awfully cute & after working with, & owning horses for many years i decided that i too would like a foal & duly toddled off to the New Forest Sales at the end of November four years ago. I came home with a totally wild yearling & the sweetest 5 month old. They were HARD work! It was a very rewarding experience but nothing in my past had prepared me for handling these wild creatures. Luckily i realised very quickly that i needed help & called on Sarah Weston for advice. She was fantastic, she came up & put us on the right path. The ponies are now both broken & although not grown big enough for us they will both be useful PC ponies.
I know that you can get NF's that will make 14.2, they are hardy & for the most part, a fairly sensible breed that will turn their hoof to many things, might that be an option to consider?
I must admit that i went back to the sales the following year & bought two more very young foals. They have been very naughty & get into constant trouble, i will keep them until they are broken in but i won't be putting myself through all the work & heartache again. Only sensible older horses for me from now on
PM me if you would like to come & visit mine little lot, i don't think that you are too far away from me.Best wishes
StormyMoments
Well-Known Member
my youngster costs the same as taz who is 9 so there is no difference in them in that aspect but then my livery is cheaper then yours at £80 a month
i must admit my youngster is not cute, shes at her ugly fluffy winter stage at the moment and a muddy mess.
she is a cow tbh, i have helped handle, back and break many horses over the years and some are easier than others - taz for example, was and still is the biggest pain in the arse to lead but he was the easiest horse to break and was lent over once and then was sat on, he really just took it in his stride.
missy (current youngster) is a cow, she can be horrible, she charges in the field, kicks, rears bites when she doesnt get her own way, shes very sharp and will not allow many things to happen without an argument. i have owned her for 5 months now and she now does many things that she wouldnt before but i still have such a long way to go.
the amount of time and effort they take is more than you can think of and to be honest i dont think i will be buying another. i will stick to 3/4year olds as you really do have to take the **** from them and they really can break your confidence as they can be incredibly nasty as they grow up if they are not taught correct manners and respect and it is harder then you think. getting them to pick their feet up is a mission let alone anything else!
if i were you i would leave it for the moment. enjoy ned and go and work at a stud or something for a year or so and get the experience and get lots of pictures
but dont jump in the deep end too fast because you may be digging yourself a hole!
but what ever your decision good luck with it and i hope you make the right one for you!
i must admit my youngster is not cute, shes at her ugly fluffy winter stage at the moment and a muddy mess.
she is a cow tbh, i have helped handle, back and break many horses over the years and some are easier than others - taz for example, was and still is the biggest pain in the arse to lead but he was the easiest horse to break and was lent over once and then was sat on, he really just took it in his stride.
missy (current youngster) is a cow, she can be horrible, she charges in the field, kicks, rears bites when she doesnt get her own way, shes very sharp and will not allow many things to happen without an argument. i have owned her for 5 months now and she now does many things that she wouldnt before but i still have such a long way to go.
the amount of time and effort they take is more than you can think of and to be honest i dont think i will be buying another. i will stick to 3/4year olds as you really do have to take the **** from them and they really can break your confidence as they can be incredibly nasty as they grow up if they are not taught correct manners and respect and it is harder then you think. getting them to pick their feet up is a mission let alone anything else!
if i were you i would leave it for the moment. enjoy ned and go and work at a stud or something for a year or so and get the experience and get lots of pictures
but dont jump in the deep end too fast because you may be digging yourself a hole!but what ever your decision good luck with it and i hope you make the right one for you!
bensababy
Well-Known Member
I once had a 8month old cute foalie who i took fantastic pictures of, till he hit the terrible 2's and found it highly amusing to rear/buck/bolt/leap around at every possible opportunity. He is now nearly 19 years old and hasnt changed much - thousands of pounds of vet bills, feed bills, livery, farrier bills later.. he is no longer so cute!
OP you have opened yourself up for people being so judgemental by coming out with a ludicrous first comment of why you want one - that you want to take pictures of it growing up, or that you would prefer not to have a bucker or rearer - people have offered some good advice on here - take it.
My judgement from this post and others is that IN MY OPINION you dont sound like you have a wealth of knowledge. Its bloody hard work.
OP you have opened yourself up for people being so judgemental by coming out with a ludicrous first comment of why you want one - that you want to take pictures of it growing up, or that you would prefer not to have a bucker or rearer - people have offered some good advice on here - take it.
My judgement from this post and others is that IN MY OPINION you dont sound like you have a wealth of knowledge. Its bloody hard work.
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
Just a question, you've just admitted to being quite lucky that your horse wasnt ruined and you didnt have help. OP has help, is not afraid of asking for help and she has the right positive attitude. I dont mean to point you out, as other people have posted similer, its just I only read up to your post
Because, BSJAlove, the OP is not me. When I bought Fergs I had owned and been sole rider of my other horse for almost a decade. I had been riding other "real" horses (not RS horses) - I used to work maxi show cobs and a little mare who was reported to me as "guarenteed to drop you on the floor" nappy as hell, youngsters, ex-racers and I was never scared of riding them in any circumstance (unlike the op) and I can guarentee they went back to their owners better mannered and working better than they came to me. I don't know whether the op is a passenger on Ned or not, but in the absence of proof either way, it's safest to assume the former.
I say that it was luck my pony turned out well. In the cold hard light of day, that's not true. He's turned out perfectly for me because I put the work in and I never, ever let him scare me out of doing something. He's turned out well because I'm intelligent enough to work out methods from a behavioural and logical perspective and because I am instincively good at training animals.
I don't think training foals is about having a "positive" attitude. I think it's about having a logical, sensible plan for how you want to achieve what needs to be done. I think it's about being determined enough to ensure lesssons are learnt, forgiving enough not to react when they don't understand or they test you, being mature enough to know when to call it a day, being patient enough to watch them in the field and dream of the day you can do things with them, being self aware enough to know when the horse doesn't understand because you aren't asking him clearly, being sensible enough to realise when you need help and being smart enough to see when that help isn't actually helping. It's easy the think a cheery smile and a bit of enthusiasm is enough - but ime, it simply isn't.
Furthermore, I was the same age (give or take) as the OP when I got him and there is no way I would have needed to ask some of the questions she asks on here. It's good that she asks, but it does make me wonder if she's the right person to take on a youngster.
And that is why I have double standards.
Emilieu
Well-Known Member
Something I find really strange is that a person I know in RL posted on here asking for opinions on getting a foal as her first horse (she has had a loan horse previously but not recently) and she had plenty of positive encouragement and reponses. TBF she had a lot more who said don't do it but no-one spoke as condesendingly to her as many have spoken to the OP on this thread. I just think it is weird. There also seems to be a bit of the 'I did it but you wouldn't be able to' attitude that you often see in real life. No-one has posted 'I did it and it was a terrible disaster', despite many people saying it was a lot more hard work than they expected and they maybe shouldn't have done it, all the stories seem to end well. Not getting at anyone, just an observation. 
midi
Well-Known Member
I don't think anyone is being condesending at all tbh, from seeing her videos and posts it just very obvious it isnt' a very good idea at all.
Emilieu
Well-Known Member
Fair enough, it has already been commented that tone is hard to read from an online post. Maybe it is just that people have more info on Annielusian than they had on the other girl who had just joined. Just thought the difference in responses was interesting.
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
People for whom it ends in disaster are less likely to be found on a horse forum and are considerably less likely to be found admitting it - understandably. I can testify that I have seen a number of people attempt it and give up and sell the youngster on at a loss, if that helps. I've also seen a number of people who have been waylaid on route - buy a youngster to bring on to be a hack, now never hack as it's "too dangerous" and just do school work instead - fine, their choice, but they caused the problem in the first place and could have avoided it by buying a mature hack.
A number of the posters on this thread have also posted on previous threads by the OP, so perhaps we know more about her than the forum knew about your friend? Perhaps your friend came up with a better reason for wanting to do it, than wanting prety pictures.
I should also add that I bought Fergs as a 3 year old, not a foal. From the experience I had with Fergs, I bought Darach as a yearling. It is a massive leap from having no horse of your own to having a youngster - especially a foal.
If the "I did it but you shouldn't" mentality strikes you as odd - think about it as an experienced marathon runner telling a couch potato not to enter a marathon next Tuesday
A number of the posters on this thread have also posted on previous threads by the OP, so perhaps we know more about her than the forum knew about your friend? Perhaps your friend came up with a better reason for wanting to do it, than wanting prety pictures.
I should also add that I bought Fergs as a 3 year old, not a foal. From the experience I had with Fergs, I bought Darach as a yearling. It is a massive leap from having no horse of your own to having a youngster - especially a foal.
If the "I did it but you shouldn't" mentality strikes you as odd - think about it as an experienced marathon runner telling a couch potato not to enter a marathon next Tuesday
MarinaBay
Well-Known Member
Wow that thread took a while to read!!
I have a 4.5 months old foal & her mother a 15.2 Section D.
At the moment my foal hardly costs me anything I pay grass livery for mum (£25 a week) and as she is still at foot I pay nothing for her, she has a small hard feed especially for a foal as she was a poor foal so I would say that has cost me a rough guess £20 a month. They might be coming in for the winter then it will be £80 a week.
I am assuming that once she is weaned as I don't have my own land / yard & I don't want to keep them at separate places I will more then likely be paying the same amount for my foal as I do for my mare.
Yes having a foal can be cheap, I have had her since birth she was planned in the respect that I sent her to stud etc but I never planned as such to have a foal from my mare, she had soundness issues so vet & RI suggested rest & hey presto baby.
I know my case is slightly different in that I bred my foal, of course I love her to pieces and read every book I could get my hands on whilst mum was pregnant. I have ridden since I was 4, I am now 25, have owned my mare for nearly 8 years, she is a complicated character I know her inside out. I have helped various friends with youngsters, breaking in etc. But NOTHING prepares you for having your own. YES they are cute I adore her but she is such a madam, she is at stud & they say she is such an easy foal - I am just hoping they have had some devil foals!
My family are not horsey at all my mum will come up and 'ooo' and 'aaa' at her but that is about it. I pay for them myself 100%. I had some savings they are now gone, an unexpected vets bill of £500 sorted most of that.
I appreciate what you are saying and yes it is very exciting you will have help etc, but are they going to be available every day? My friend will come and help me every other week firstly to see baby but also help feed etc the rest of the time I do it on my own. Last night it took me 20 minutes to get her back in the field simply because she didn't want to go in. But she is my foal & I was determined to get her in the field as she has to listen to me.
Please think about this, it is not an easy option for those really experienced with support around them never mind up in our early / mid 20's - don't think everyone is picking on you etc I truly see the people commenting have had 1st hand experience and realise it isn't as easy as people think. I certainly do not find it easy but she is my baby and although I am now skint from all the out goings and have changed my ways of living I wouldn't swap her for the world.
I am in Bedfordshire and if you fancy coming and helping with my foal you are welcome. She is very 'cute' and I guarantee you will fall in love with her as soon as you see her but equally she is growing up and is a very determined little monkey!!
I have a 4.5 months old foal & her mother a 15.2 Section D.
At the moment my foal hardly costs me anything I pay grass livery for mum (£25 a week) and as she is still at foot I pay nothing for her, she has a small hard feed especially for a foal as she was a poor foal so I would say that has cost me a rough guess £20 a month. They might be coming in for the winter then it will be £80 a week.
I am assuming that once she is weaned as I don't have my own land / yard & I don't want to keep them at separate places I will more then likely be paying the same amount for my foal as I do for my mare.
Yes having a foal can be cheap, I have had her since birth she was planned in the respect that I sent her to stud etc but I never planned as such to have a foal from my mare, she had soundness issues so vet & RI suggested rest & hey presto baby.
I know my case is slightly different in that I bred my foal, of course I love her to pieces and read every book I could get my hands on whilst mum was pregnant. I have ridden since I was 4, I am now 25, have owned my mare for nearly 8 years, she is a complicated character I know her inside out. I have helped various friends with youngsters, breaking in etc. But NOTHING prepares you for having your own. YES they are cute I adore her but she is such a madam, she is at stud & they say she is such an easy foal - I am just hoping they have had some devil foals!
My family are not horsey at all my mum will come up and 'ooo' and 'aaa' at her but that is about it. I pay for them myself 100%. I had some savings they are now gone, an unexpected vets bill of £500 sorted most of that.
I appreciate what you are saying and yes it is very exciting you will have help etc, but are they going to be available every day? My friend will come and help me every other week firstly to see baby but also help feed etc the rest of the time I do it on my own. Last night it took me 20 minutes to get her back in the field simply because she didn't want to go in. But she is my foal & I was determined to get her in the field as she has to listen to me.
Please think about this, it is not an easy option for those really experienced with support around them never mind up in our early / mid 20's - don't think everyone is picking on you etc I truly see the people commenting have had 1st hand experience and realise it isn't as easy as people think. I certainly do not find it easy but she is my baby and although I am now skint from all the out goings and have changed my ways of living I wouldn't swap her for the world.
I am in Bedfordshire and if you fancy coming and helping with my foal you are welcome. She is very 'cute' and I guarantee you will fall in love with her as soon as you see her but equally she is growing up and is a very determined little monkey!!
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riding_high
Well-Known Member
as for the costs you may have to pay for the first lot of vacs, if you get a colt you would need to pay to get it gelded so those are 2 costs which would happen quite quickly after getting it home. depending on the breed you would need to buy rugs and extra feed, possibly supplements, might need specific bedding if it has any allergies, feet trimming. there's lots more as well. if you had an older horse then any allergies/problems would already be known so you won't have the stress or worry of finding out any problems. that's if the foal you got had problems.
i've been around horses all my life, i've had a wide variety of horses to ride and handle, i bought a foal and had alot of support from family and it turned out great, the foal grew into a lovely little 'man', he was well mannered and respectful.
i bought 2 foals (completely unhandled and one is actually alot older than first thought) 3yrs ago, the one was so easy to get used to handling and different things happening, the other was very dangerous. now they are older the easier one at the start has turned into a little sod, he's a typical pony in many ways but takes everything to the extreme, the dangerous pony at the start has turned out to be such a cool dude, i can't fault him and he's brilliant.
both were treated the same way but they have turned out completely different.
i've been around horses all my life, i've had a wide variety of horses to ride and handle, i bought a foal and had alot of support from family and it turned out great, the foal grew into a lovely little 'man', he was well mannered and respectful.
i bought 2 foals (completely unhandled and one is actually alot older than first thought) 3yrs ago, the one was so easy to get used to handling and different things happening, the other was very dangerous. now they are older the easier one at the start has turned into a little sod, he's a typical pony in many ways but takes everything to the extreme, the dangerous pony at the start has turned out to be such a cool dude, i can't fault him and he's brilliant.
both were treated the same way but they have turned out completely different.
Naryafluffy
Well-Known Member
DO NOT TELL ME THAT...
too late
I seen this about 6 weeks ago, he looks lovely doesn't he!!
It's MINE MINE MINE (just can't afford it for about another 10 years, unless I won the lottery on Tuesday and just haven't noticed!!!)
Blitzen
Well-Known Member
I am struggling to see why you would really want a foal - as in a weanling, I assume. Yes I totally understand wanting to put your own stamp/do the work yourself/mould him into your dream horse etc, but why a foal specifically, OP? ("Because they're cute" is not an answer!) Especially as its going to be your only horse.
Would a 3 year old not be a better idea? Something that is still a blank canvas, but you will have a better idea of its temprement, and you can start long-reining/backing/breaking straight away?
I'm not judging, but it just seems a bit silly to want one so young when it is your first, and only horse; I can guarantee you will want to be 'doing stuff' with it, when the best thing for it is to be chucked out in a herd to learn how to be a horse.
x
Would a 3 year old not be a better idea? Something that is still a blank canvas, but you will have a better idea of its temprement, and you can start long-reining/backing/breaking straight away?
I'm not judging, but it just seems a bit silly to want one so young when it is your first, and only horse; I can guarantee you will want to be 'doing stuff' with it, when the best thing for it is to be chucked out in a herd to learn how to be a horse.
x
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
Don't encourage me. Please
I still have the advert and the photo up in another tab... I am that tempted.
rhino
Well-Known Member
Don't encourage me. Please
I still have the advert and the photo up in another tab... I am that tempted.
What, this photo?
*hic*
village idiot :D
What, this photo?
Is this the one you said wouldn't grow big enough? How big do you want the damned thing! It already dwarfs those houses!
Shantara
Well-Known Member
I do appreciate all the advise and help people are giving Though, I do seem to be sounding like a broken record and people are latching onto the wrong parts of my posts.
Yes, I said I want to take pretty pictures and honestly, if I got a foal, I would take pictures! Even if I got the ugliest old plod, I would take a million and one pictures. I'm an artist and a photographer, so why not? I take pictures of any ol' horse or dog or whatever I come across. Taking pictures is just what I do. However, I said that as a JOKE. I said it was a silly reason, meaning: I wasn't being serious.
To those who've offered me a chance to see their foal: I'd LOVE to! If you PM where you live, I'll let you know if I can easily get there or not
I don't care much for independence, my family are my friends, they're not tutting at me and waiting for the day when I finally leave, they don't mind me being here and I keep my mum company when everyone else is out.
My YO is there pretty much everyday. She has 2 rides a day to cater for and if she cancels one of these lessons, it could be £100+ she looses out on. However, if she goes on holiday (Rare) she has a string of friends who are experienced and some of which are foal owners themselves and who've bought them from my YO.
And like I've said, she won't let me go wrong. She's not the type to 'let you get on with it' if she can see what you're doing is dangerous or stupid.
If she thinks I'm not going to be able to train it, she'll do it for me and she's produced some lovely horses. I would have to pay her of course, but not as much as getting someone else in.
Though, I do seem to be sounding like a broken record and people are latching onto the wrong parts of my posts.Yes, I said I want to take pretty pictures and honestly, if I got a foal, I would take pictures! Even if I got the ugliest old plod, I would take a million and one pictures. I'm an artist and a photographer, so why not? I take pictures of any ol' horse or dog or whatever I come across. Taking pictures is just what I do. However, I said that as a JOKE. I said it was a silly reason, meaning: I wasn't being serious.
To those who've offered me a chance to see their foal: I'd LOVE to! If you PM where you live, I'll let you know if I can easily get there or not
I don't care much for independence, my family are my friends, they're not tutting at me and waiting for the day when I finally leave, they don't mind me being here and I keep my mum company when everyone else is out.
My YO is there pretty much everyday. She has 2 rides a day to cater for and if she cancels one of these lessons, it could be £100+ she looses out on. However, if she goes on holiday (Rare) she has a string of friends who are experienced and some of which are foal owners themselves and who've bought them from my YO.
And like I've said, she won't let me go wrong. She's not the type to 'let you get on with it' if she can see what you're doing is dangerous or stupid.
If she thinks I'm not going to be able to train it, she'll do it for me and she's produced some lovely horses. I would have to pay her of course, but not as much as getting someone else in.
CarolineJ
Well-Known Member
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*
*looks at current credit card bill*
*sits on hands*
SeasonalSituation
Well-Known Member
If you want to do it not much anyone else can say to you for you tO change your mind.
I wouldn't if I was you, from your other posts you seem quite novice with what you ask. I am younger then you at 19, and have my own horse with a lot of experiance behind me with starting youngsters and having foals. Yes they are cute, until they hit their teens! I am getting a youngster but one that I can start now, as a foal it has and can get very boring.
As a blunt ending, please don't take it too badly though, you can't even work out what it would cost a month for a foal, that really isn't a good start.
Finally, I'm 3 years younger then you and seem to be at a better more mature place. I have my own house with the bf, go to UNi full time, have a full time Job, one horse, soon to be another horse, as well as saving up for a car.
My advice. Leave the foal. Grow up, move out and gain independence before you have another mouth relying on you.
I wouldn't if I was you, from your other posts you seem quite novice with what you ask. I am younger then you at 19, and have my own horse with a lot of experiance behind me with starting youngsters and having foals. Yes they are cute, until they hit their teens! I am getting a youngster but one that I can start now, as a foal it has and can get very boring.
As a blunt ending, please don't take it too badly though, you can't even work out what it would cost a month for a foal, that really isn't a good start.
Finally, I'm 3 years younger then you and seem to be at a better more mature place. I have my own house with the bf, go to UNi full time, have a full time Job, one horse, soon to be another horse, as well as saving up for a car.
My advice. Leave the foal. Grow up, move out and gain independence before you have another mouth relying on you.
bensababy
Well-Known Member
This is another expense then to take into consideration. Mine cost no more now than what he did when he was younger. Its hard to pin point how much it would cost as one month could vary to the next, in my experience it is no different to having a older horse.
Emilieu
Well-Known Member
People for whom it ends in disaster are less likely to be found on a horse forum and are considerably less likely to be found admitting it - understandably. I can testify that I have seen a number of people attempt it and give up and sell the youngster on at a loss, if that helps. I've also seen a number of people who have been waylaid on route - buy a youngster to bring on to be a hack, now never hack as it's "too dangerous" and just do school work instead - fine, their choice, but they caused the problem in the first place and could have avoided it by buying a mature hack.
A number of the posters on this thread have also posted on previous threads by the OP, so perhaps we know more about her than the forum knew about your friend? Perhaps your friend came up with a better reason for wanting to do it, than wanting prety pictures.
I should also add that I bought Fergs as a 3 year old, not a foal. From the experience I had with Fergs, I bought Darach as a yearling. It is a massive leap from having no horse of your own to having a youngster - especially a foal.
If the "I did it but you shouldn't" mentality strikes you as odd - think about it as an experienced marathon runner telling a couch potato not to enter a marathon next Tuesday
Lol ^^
I think I was actually more surprised last time when people said they thought it was a good idea. And actually now that i think about it I have seen an example first hand of it all going wrong - poor baby ended up PTS
- and its unlikely that person would be sharing their story online so i think that is an excellent point. PS loving Fergus and Darach as names!!
rhino
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry OP, but when you write posts like this your yard/owning a foal sounds like a car crash waiting to happen
Like others on here, I have read your posts, admired your pictures and watched your videos, and believe you are far more 'novicey' than you think. This isn't an insult, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, we all have to start somewhere, but when your 'confidence' is higher than your 'competence' trouble is never far away!
Like others on here, I have read your posts, admired your pictures and watched your videos, and believe you are far more 'novicey' than you think. This isn't an insult, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, we all have to start somewhere, but when your 'confidence' is higher than your 'competence' trouble is never far away!
Naryafluffy
Well-Known Member
I've read the whole thread and I am maybe wrong in assuming that you would be keeping the weanling where you currently are (going on the comments that you would have support when dealing with this), will the YO not advise how much livery would be for the foal, the yard farrier would they not give you a cost for trimming etc, the vet could give you a cost for gelding if it's a male that is bought, given the regional variances in prices it will probably be very difficult to get accurate figures on a forum. If you're not keeping the foal here then you would really need to speak to where you were going to be keeping it.
I 2nd the people who say foals should live out as much as possible and if not living out I prefer them to live in groups in a large barn and not in stables, I had a friend that bred her own foal and it was stabled overnight all the time and it's manners were terrible (my friend has over 30years experience with horses, and competed at GP dressage so wasn't about knowledge confidence, I just don't think it ever learned to be a horse correctly).
If you are really looking for a standardbred foal then you are really narrowing down on getting one, I can't find a Standardbred rescue in the UK, people are mentioning arabs and arab X's for endurance as they are pretty much accepted that they are very suited to this not that they are the only horses that can do this, bit like saying only warmbloods can do dressage, other breeds are capable but the warmbloods tend to have the action to produce dressage a bit more naturally.
You've also mentioned rescuing a foal, have you spoken to any rescue centres about what they would need from you before they would consider placing a foal with you, do they need a yard to have certain facilities/insurance etc whilst you may not like what people on here are suggesting, if you want to rescue a foal you would need to know what the rescue centre wanted from you and what they would consider experienced enough to take on a foal.
I 2nd the people who say foals should live out as much as possible and if not living out I prefer them to live in groups in a large barn and not in stables, I had a friend that bred her own foal and it was stabled overnight all the time and it's manners were terrible (my friend has over 30years experience with horses, and competed at GP dressage so wasn't about knowledge confidence, I just don't think it ever learned to be a horse correctly).
If you are really looking for a standardbred foal then you are really narrowing down on getting one, I can't find a Standardbred rescue in the UK, people are mentioning arabs and arab X's for endurance as they are pretty much accepted that they are very suited to this not that they are the only horses that can do this, bit like saying only warmbloods can do dressage, other breeds are capable but the warmbloods tend to have the action to produce dressage a bit more naturally.
You've also mentioned rescuing a foal, have you spoken to any rescue centres about what they would need from you before they would consider placing a foal with you, do they need a yard to have certain facilities/insurance etc whilst you may not like what people on here are suggesting, if you want to rescue a foal you would need to know what the rescue centre wanted from you and what they would consider experienced enough to take on a foal.
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