It gets worse I get so angry sometimes

windand rain

windand rain

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The foal I saw being lunged at 6 months has now at 8 months graduated to wearing tack and being lunged in a pessoa really It takes the biscuit but I dont know what to do about it. Their argument is that is is going to be huge so they need to do it now it is an Irish draft or Irish Sport horse foal poor little sod surey it is even worse for huge slow growing joints to be put under such pressure
 
If they are that concerned about handling it because it will be big, why did they buy/ breed it, doesn't bear thinking about what harm is being done.
 
Just because it's likely to turn out huge doesn't instantly mean it's going to be unmanageable. Surely good manners learnt through firm handling and good groundwork are the key here, not getting ahead of what's age appropriate? I'm failing to see how starting this young can be of any benefit. Sounds like they'll be backing it next!!
 
Sadly not I am an itinerant instructor so see all sorts at the various yards I go to. One reason I hate pessoas as I have yet to see anyone use one to get the horse onto its hocks so far I have only ever seen horses in them dragging themselves along on the forehand with the person on the lunge rein telling them how wonderful they look. If you don't know how to use don't use it simple
 
If it is an ID or ISH that's worse as I believe they physically mature late. Mine certainly didn't stop growing til he was 7. And at 5 was a weedy looking sort and 16.1, by 7 he was a smidge under 17hh and had filled out.

But doing too much as a youngster, before I bought him, has taken it's toll and at 10 he's virtually retired.
 
You probably can't persuade them to stop training the horse but perhaps you could persuade them to long rein it instead of lungeing? Would help to save its joints if it was essentially being hacked out instead of schooled.
 
the dressage instructor mt boss used to use to teach her kids (same instructor teaches pony club) backed her filly at 14 months and led her mum out on her at least 3 times a week till she started schooling her at 2.5 yrs-she gave the same reason that she was going to be big. she asked me to help on the floor when started riding her when the filly was 2.5 yrs, I declined the work saying i did not agree with it
 
The thought of that makes me feel quite ill, probably because i have had and have IDs, one has grown to 18.2hh HW and i had no need to do anything until he was 3, he only started more serious work at 6 and has grown & matured over the winter now hes rising 7, they will finish that babys career before its even started.
 
Having seen a video of a seventh month old foal being driven hard, I understand that sickening feeling all too well. Posts were praising the foal saying what a cracking foal it was and the owner replied saying that it died before it reached a year old, hardly surprisng poor sod, the saving grace is that at least it wouldn't have to endure such abuse any more. :(
 
I see this as a welfare issue, WHW or BHS should be encouraged to visit and explan the damage being done both physically and mentally to this baby.
If they still choose to ignore the advice then imo its cruelty and the baby should be removed
 
This is disgusting!
My 8 month old is going to be quite big, standing at 14.2 already and about 15.1 on his bum. I'd never dream of doing that with him!
If they're going to be big then surely groundwork and good manners are the most important thing for them to learn.
I think this is abuse and should be reported as such too.
 
What do the other people on the yard and the YO think of it? If they are as shocked as you (and they certainly should be!) might it be possible to get them on side and see if they'll quietly explain to the owner how damaging this is. If everyone is of the same mind and says so, it might just persuade the owner to slow down.
 
Marydoll said:
I see this as a welfare issue, WHW or BHS should be encouraged to visit and explan the damage being done both physically and mentally to this baby.
If they still choose to ignore the advice then imo its cruelty and the baby should be removed
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The welfare act is law though. I'm fairly sure there's no law about the age of horses and workload. The racing industry would be in trouble if there was! How can someone official get involved in advising someone who doesn't want advice and who isn't breaking any law?
 
It's really sad isn't it. I thought my situation was bad! There is a lady stabled opposite me who has recently bought an 8 month old foal (I'm on full livery - we have turnout pens and a horsewalker but no proper winter turnout - no place for a foal IMO) who is stabled pretty much 24/7. The lady comes down on a Sunday and does all sorts with it - normally leading it around the yard in a bridle and flapping plastic bags over it. And then leaves it all week in it's stable! She was asking me about my rising 4yr old (who was untouched until last August) and asking what I had done with her. I made a point of saying that it was really important to me that she had been untouched in the field until she was 3yrs old! Poor baby.
 
Absolutly disgusting! There was/is an ad on preloved for an anglo arab less than 20mnt old jumping in which she claims it "jumps for fun and lunges like a pro!"
sick vile clueless people!
 
I remember being stabled with someone who had this nice warmblood, he was 6 when I meet him. Talking to the owner about him one day and she was saying how she trained him as a youngster.. Lounging at 18 months and in a pessoa as soon as he turned 2 4 days a week :(. She went on to boast about turning up to a show and the judge commenting on how 'huge' he was compared to the other 2 year olds.. (huge muscle wise rather than being lanky like a normal 2 year old). He was ridden constantly in draw reins to...

I remember she let me ride him once, never ridden such an unresponsive 'dead' horse in my life.
 
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Not sure it's wise to get involved personally... If you really cannot hold your tongue I would speak to your yard owner. At the end of the day she has a duty of care towards the horse and you do not, as well meaning as your concerns are, I feel they would probably just be shrugged off as someone interfering!
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
The welfare act is law though. I'm fairly sure there's no law about the age of horses and workload. The racing industry would be in trouble if there was! How can someone official get involved in advising someone who doesn't want advice and who isn't breaking any law?
Click to expand...

Sometimes doing nothing is as bad as the act. I would still speak to WHW they might be able to talk some sense in to the person, i certainly wouldnt sit back and say nothing my conscience wouldnt let me, so i would try to get " some official" involved, its all to easy sit back and say nothing to keep the peace
And whilst there may be no law against it, it doesnt make it right.
 
windand rain said:
The foal I saw being lunged at 6 months has now at 8 months graduated to wearing tack and being lunged in a pessoa really It takes the biscuit but I dont know what to do about it. Their argument is that is is going to be huge so they need to do it now it is an Irish draft or Irish Sport horse foal poor little sod surey it is even worse for huge slow growing joints to be put under such pressure
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That argument is used so often for doing all sorts to babies including riding! Physical and mental maturity is not considered by these types of people! They will often have done it for years and say "never done any horses any harm." :rolleyes:
 
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