My first baby! What do you think of my plan?

[Sunjunkieme]

Long held dream to start my own, so age 53 with 50 years experience under my belt, I‘ve taken the plunge and my 2 year old Connie arrives from Galway in a couple of weeks.

I’ve been awake since first light wondering what I’m doing. i can’t decide if I’m excited or terrified.

I just know you will have some words of advice and encouragement for me. So here’s my plan:

My plan is to turn the baby out in my other Connies herd of geldings 24/7. There are about 15 of them ranging from 3/4 yo to ancient.

They are mixed ages, but a playful and good natured bunch and share large, year round turnout paddocks on good grazing.

Beyond checking him daily and bringing him on to the yard 3 or 4 times a week for very short stints of experience ‘work’ and some pony nuts, I’m planning on leaving him alone to be a horse until next Spring, when I’ll likely increase his ‘work’ time to include some short sessions in the school on lines and perhaps depending how he matures and his attitude, I’ll back him.

If that goes ok, I was thinking I’d just turn him away then until he’s 4. At 4, if he’s matured physically I’m hoping to bring him into regular work, but if he‘s mentally or physically not there, I’m in no rush, I can leave him be until he’s ready.

Obviously I want a polite, relaxed, well rounded youngster. I’ve no idea what I want to do with him long term, but I want to start him right. Is this a good plan?

 

[rabatsa]

You have a dream and a chance to follow it. Why not.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

So I did more than basic handling but nothing resembling riding until this year and I bought mine at 6months. He was walking out seeing traffic, in the trailer going to shows, out to places walking out inhand behind other horses hacking regularly over the years building up as he got older and I’m reaping the benefits as he’s out hacking on his own happily and has been a joy to back this spring.

so I would say do yourself the favour and work with him more than basic. You don’t have to be on his back or putting pressure on joints to give them a good education.

 

[Sunjunkieme]

So I did more than basic handling but nothing resembling riding until this year and I bought mine at 6months. He was walking out seeing traffic, in the trailer going to shows, out to places walking out inhand behind other horses hacking regularly over the years building up as he got older and I’m reaping the benefits as he’s out hacking on his own happily and has been a joy to back this spring.

so I would say do yourself the favour and work with him more than basic. You don’t have to be on his back or putting pressure on joints to give them a good education.

Good to hear, thank you. I’ve done lots of ground work with my super sensitive sharp Connie Ned, but I know opinions are split on how much you should do with youngsters. I guess it depends on the youngster!

If he’s interested and not stressed by it, I’m inclined to do as you have done in short spurts.

 

[maya2008]

I’m all for them growing up in a herd, but there are definite advantages for them to learn how to have a bath, be groomed, walk out in traffic, load etc while they are younger, smaller and more impressionable - as the feistier of my two yearlings likes to remind me every time I handle her! Showing in hand a few times as a youngster also does wonders for their behaviour when you take them out to shows for the first time under saddle.

 

[ponynutz]

No advice but just want to say good luck!

 

[Sunjunkieme]

I’m all for them growing up in a herd, but there are definite advantages for them to learn how to have a bath, be groomed, walk out in traffic, load etc while they are younger, smaller and more impressionable - as the feistier of my two yearlings likes to remind me every time I handle her! Showing in hand a few times as a youngster also does wonders for their behaviour when you take them out to shows for the first time under saddle.

Yeah, thank you. Good advice.

 

[cjwchez]

definitely good advice to walk them out in traffic! I did this with my gelding starting at 2 years old - and now as a 5 year old he isn't phased on hacks when motorbikes, lorries or cars with loud exhausts etc go passed us. I had him turned out but I would catch him, groom him and pick his feet up etc and it shows in the long run that the basic education was started early as he's great to catch and good with the farrier

 

[peanutsmumma]

I bought both my boys when they were really young, my Dartmoor was 4 mths and my New Forest was 7mths.
I started as I meant to go on, i did lots of ground work with them, walks out in hand, boxed them up and to different places etc.

My son broke my Dartmoor in when he was 4 and 5 days later my son was riding him on the beach, he is now 6 and a fab little pony for children and small adults.

I broke my New Forest in last June and only hacked him out in walk until the October, i turned him away for winter and bought him back into work this year and he is absolutely amazing.

I'm not saying its right or wrong, but personally, i don't get the 'turn them out and let them be a horse'. I would much rather teach my youngsters manners and basic handling etc whilst they are young and smaller, than having to start from scratch when they are bigger and more opinionated!

Whatever you decide to do....Good Luck

 

[Sunjunkieme]

I bought both my boys when they were really young, my Dartmoor was 4 mths and my New Forest was 7mths.
I started as I meant to go on, i did lots of ground work with them, walks out in hand, boxed them up and to different places etc.

My son broke my Dartmoor in when he was 4 and 5 days later my son was riding him on the beach, he is now 6 and a fab little pony for children and small adults.

I broke my New Forest in last June and only hacked him out in walk until the October, i turned him away for winter and bought him back into work this year and he is absolutely amazing.

I'm not saying its right or wrong, but personally, i don't get the 'turn them out and let them be a horse'. I would much rather teach my youngsters manners and basic handling etc whilst they are young and smaller, than having to start from scratch when they are bigger and more opinionated!

Whatever you decide to do....Good Luck

Thank you. I agree. Basic manners and desensitisation feels like a no brainie