Just bought 1yr old ISH - advice?

K

KatieLouise

New User
Joined
4 April 2012
Messages
4
Visit site
Hi, well I've just recently bought a 1yr old TB X ID who is going to arrive next week:D very excited!! Here is a piccy of him:
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho..._100001735986463_716587_1127500248_n.jpg?dl=1
He was gelded a few days ago, but even when he was entire he had an amazing temperament and I fell in love straight away haha. He stands at around 14.1 at the minute, so I think he's going to grow to quite a big lad, not really sure what height at the mo tho.... But as his mum is about 15.2 and his dad is not recorded BUT we have found out he is an Irish Draft Stallion who stands at around 17hds.
When hes older I would like to event with him, but as I'm sure you all know, buying a yearling like him is such a gamble, so I don't know what will happen yet:)
So the question I really want to ask is this:
From the minut he comes home, what should I start to do with him? e.g. Leading out inhand, ruging, trailer training, grooming, and when he's settled in I would really like to get him out to some inhand shows to get him used to EVERYTHING, so I'd just like a bit of advice, thank you, and sorry for the essay:/
 
Congratulation :D I bought a 2yr old ISH at Eastern Hero last month.

He doesn't need much at the moment, esp if he's already well handled. Mostly he just needs to be out in the field with friends to play with.

They've got very short attention spans at that age so only spend 15min max working with him. Make sure he's polite to lead, ties up quietly, lets you touch him all over and picks his feet up. He really doesn't need to do anything else yet.
 
I am going to have a lot of help from a friend who has done a lot of youngsters in a really nice natural way, but obviously she wont be there every minute, s thats the kind of advice I want:p
 
if he was only gelded a few days ago, he will still be recovering. Keep an eye on the wound and make sure it is kept clean and dry. Just let him settle in and enjoy being a young horse and playing with his new friends. Make sure you are always consistent with him and do lots of "little and often" handling, feet picking up, grooming, etc. Remember he is a baby, so will get bored quickly, so don't do too much too soon. Enjoy!
 
Well in the pic he already has a rug on so that's one less thing to worry about but I echo the others.
Let him grow up naturally, don't fill his brain with nonsense, let him play with his own age group. As long as he is nice to handle, good for the farrier and vet, leads anywhere then I would leave him alone to get his feet under the table before you think about doing much else with him.
 
KatieLouise said:
From the minut he comes home, what should I start to do with him? e.g. Leading out inhand, ruging, trailer training, grooming, and when he's settled in I would really like to get him out to some inhand shows to get him used to EVERYTHING, so I'd just like a bit of advice, thank you, and sorry for the essay:/
Click to expand...

You dont need to go overboard.....he is a baby after all.
At a year he would (with me) be doing no more than being led in to be fed (if needed) and the odd flick with a brush.
If you are doing inhand with him, make sure he travels with a nice calm companion who will reassure him everything is hunky dory.
Mine are pretty much untouched until almost 3. The most they get is brought in daily to be fed, feet picked and back out to play!
 
As Maesfen said as long as his manners are in place, nothing needs doing at his age.

My RIDxcob soon to be a yearling is expected to lead anywhere in a civil fashion, in or out of the fields regardless of the field being at the furthest part of the farm and also regardless of being on her own or with friends. If she comes over with her friends I expect her to lead the group. This is just a personal preference on my part as I like horses to be independant and not have a clingy, must have a mate/lead attitude. I expect her to open and close all the gates properly, to wait whilst I ensure the gate is fastened and always turning away from me not into me or on top of me. I normally have a dog running about when I am with her and this teaches her to accept dogs and not to spook if the dog pops out of the hedge or sets off after a pheasant.

In the stables she has been encouraged to take a step or three back from the door when I open it, the penny dropped very quickly and now she will take one step without being asked and another if I say back or excuse me. This lesson is another personal preference for me, I cannot be doing with horses that flatten you in the doorway.

If she does not come over to the yard, I put a halter on the field, run my hand over all of her and pick her feet out.

I haven't taught her to tie up yet but when in the yard she stands at the tie ring on her building with the rope looped through and is expected to stand still whilst she is messed with.

Haven't shown her the lorry yet, ramp is quite steep so I think it would be a better idea to start with a trailer ramp first, possibly do it in the summer if I take her out somewhere, but at the moment she looks like a yak crossed with a moose so being seen in public is on hold at the moment.

She is good with the farrier but she has been seeing him every 2 weeks for months because she had a slightly wonky front foot which had to be corrected. She fidgets but soon twigged the farrier doesn't let go so she might as well stand still for a few minutes.

I think the main thing to remember with handling young horses is not to accept rudeness and not to make excuses for any bad manners because it's a 'baby'. Bargy babies make ignorant adult horses and it doesn't take long or much effort to teach them to be polite and nice to have around.

The final bit of advice is the most important - no titbits from your or anybody elses hand. There is no need to reward a baby for being well behaved with anything more than a rub.

Good luck with him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top