Introducing a new mini shetland colt?

Box_Of_Frogs

Box_Of_Frogs

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Any advice welcomed. I have 3 miniature shetland geldings, 1 is a rescue from my local rescue centre. I have the space and time to take on another rescue and don't want a filly/mare as I don't want rivalries or jealousies. Rescued geldings are few and far between so I recognise it will have to be a colt that I'd geld immediately. I've found a suitable little lad locally but I'm not sure how to introduce him to my little herd. He's 2 yrs old and is in the same ghastly "field" that he was born in - he was a little accident and faces the hunt kennels if not rehomed pdq. He would go straight from his current home to the vets then come back to me. But he's unhandled and wild - not terrified, just not used to people. Never had a head collar on, never been led anywhere etc etc etc. Vet's guidance is NOT to chuck him straight out (daytime) with my 3 as they might run him ragged and open up the wound. They say lead him in hand (can't) or pop him out on his own - I'd never catch him again! What would others do? Friends say just chuck him out, they'd run around for a while but soon settle. I was wondering about putting him out day 1 with gelding 1, day 2, gelding 2, day 3 gelding 3, repeat. By the end of this 6 days his wound should be much better and they'd all have met so could all go out together. Anyone got any thoughts or suggestions? He wouldn't be able to go back to his old home to recuperate as the field he's in is truly terrible and they might not be able to catch him again anyway!
 
Do you have a stable you can shut him in? I'd be inclined to keep him in for a while and just spend as much time as possible with him. With the view of him not being handle able and used to you before you turn out.
Sorry if you've already said about the stable I'm on my phone and it's very hard to read without missing bits!
 
Stable as soon as back from vets & spend time with him, he'll have a headcollar on by the time he gets home anyway.
Do'nt be tempted to chuck him out with others till you CAN get a hand on a headcollar or a rope round his neck, prob around day 5 to 7 you can pop him out with the one in the middle of the gang
 
If it was me I wouldn't geld him just yet, ive put plenty of mini colts in with geldings with no problem,{ unless there is a reason he has to be gelded}
Just turn him out with your geldings, go and handle your geldings and he will slowly start to see there is nothing to be afraid off.
 
I think (do check with your vet) that he'll need to be out after being gelded so I would bring him home first, keep him in a stable and gain a little confidence and handling then introduce him as you would any new horse - over a fence to start with etc. then once he's settled - maybe only a month or so, do a trip to the vets.
A young colt in with geldings only should be OK for a short while.
 
At 2yo he is not "still a baby" trust me i know mini colts at this age and they would give a full grown stallion what for. I would personally keep him in the stable for a few days and work with him, you can not have him unhandled it will be a nightmare if he got out. Then when he trusts you enough to get head collar, start to lead about. I would let him meet the others first because he may go daft and want to be the boss. If you can keep him in until geldd, even better.
 
Polos Mum said:
I think (do check with your vet) that he'll need to be out after being gelded so I would bring him home first, keep him in a stable and gain a little confidence and handling then introduce him as you would any new horse - over a fence to start with etc. then once he's settled - maybe only a month or so, do a trip to the vets.
A young colt in with geldings only should be OK for a short while.
Click to expand...

I agree, he is better out after the op so he can move freely to stop the swelling, waiting a few weeks to get him settled and handled before having the op would probably be best all round.
 
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