My first youngster

[Nakita]

My first youngster should be arriving next week - she is one in June soooo was just wanting some general advice and info, things I can do to bond with her etc etc.
Just anything that would be useful to know really

 

[Lippyx]

Hi, Is this your new Friesian?? How exciting. Give her a few days to settle, and get use to her new home, but get her into a routine ASAP. Babies thrive on routine! Give her a friend to "hang out" with, something sensible!
Once she is happy with her new life, you could take her for walks, plenty of grooming and talking to her. Then you could take her in the arena and play games. Something like "following me" where you set up a course or ground poles, cones to weave in nd out of, and get her to follow you around the course.

The main thing, like with most children, its all about fun... but remember to discpline her if she tests you!!

Where are the pics by the way??

 

[UnaB]

You must be SO excited!!

My friesian was the first baby I had also! I turned her away for the first 3 or 4 months, didnt over-tax her brain! Got her used to leading in hand, being groomed (she wouldnt stand tied!!) and picking up feet etc etc, but it depends how much handling your filly has had as to whether you need to teach her all of that, but regardless it is something you need to do regularly to get her used to it.

At about 18 months I got my girl bitted and then started walking her in hand, and from my other horse, to get her used to being out and about and the traffic and everything. I took her along to a local SJ show, not to compete obviously, but just to have a look around. I took her to the gradings as a 2yr old which was a rather overwhelming experience for us both, but definately did her brain some good as nothing is scary to her after that lol. But really I have taken things very slowly, got her basic manners down as a priority, worked on voice commands from day 1 and just getting her to be a polite person to deal with Friesians can be bolshy if you arent firm with them, thats one warning I will give you. My mare went through a phase of being a bolshy madam.. for about 2 days!! I wouldnt tolerate it so put a stop to it immediate. She has never tried it on since, but bloomin' nearly broke my ankle trying to barge past me - they are BIG horses and need to learn boundaries, and thats something to get on top of immediately IMO. Once they get away with something the first time they will keep trying it on...

 

[Nakita]

Thank you

Yep, it's the friesian, pictures are on photobucket:
http://s1021.photobucket.com/home/NakitaOHare

Sounds like I was thinking along the right lines. She has been handled and lifts front legs, just not back ones and doesn't like any of them being picked out, she will pull away. She leads but doesn't trot inhand & i hasn't been tied up or stabled alone.
Bad thing is she has to be stabled her first week with us to be wormed! & I'm so worried she will be stressed and upset with everything!

 

[UnaB]

Thank you

Yep, it's the friesian, pictures are on photobucket:
http://s1021.photobucket.com/home/NakitaOHare

Sounds like I was thinking along the right lines. She has been handled and lifts front legs, just not back ones and doesn't like any of them being picked out, she will pull away. She leads but doesn't trot inhand & i hasn't been tied up or stabled alone.
Bad thing is she has to be stabled her first week with us to be wormed! & I'm so worried she will be stressed and upset with everything!

My mare even now can be a bit stroppy with her back legs, she lifts them REALLY high to try to pull away from you, but she isnt nasty with it, just seems to have a problem with having her back feet picked up. Its something im still working on!!

The stabling was an issue I had - my girl went up and over the stable door the first time i stabled her! Very scary! I just put her in the stable with my boy (supervised!) til she got used to being stabled. Could she perhaps be stabled with Rosie if they on?

Im sure she wont stress too much, friesians are generally very laid back and your girl sounds very sensible for her age from what you've said about her