Picking yearling up tomorrow :)

dressagelove

dressagelove

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I have been looking for a yearling to bring on and back for dressage. I have found a real sweetie: a 1yo KWPN gelding who has a lovely temperament :) I have had many horses, but have never had a youngster like this before, so looking forward to the learning curve!

Vet raised a few points during vetting; he has some wolf teeth which he recommended whipping out before any bitting commences, is this sensible for a horse intended for dressage? Is it a big procedure?

He is also carrying very little weight, which is preferred, but he recommended getting a balancer to provide him with necessary vits and mins to grow but to avoid putting on too much weight to fast, I really want him to grow slowly and mature properly. Could anyone recommend me such a balancer or diet?

Also, how often does a yearling like this need handling? I want him to start his education, but I also want him to be a horse for as long as poss, and avoid any overstimulation mentally.

What do you think of him?

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Congratulations :) He does look a lovely boy. No hurry with the teeth if he's a baby - your own EDT will advise. Some teeth have long roots (my horses did) but he had been working medium no probs with them in in Holland but my EDT said they should come out.

Handling depends on you and the horse really. I like pottering about with them and giving them a groom, feet picked out daily. You will have lots of fun with him :D
 
He's lovely, I would leave the teeth for a year, no need to bother when you won't be mouthing him for a while. He will need 2 weeks to heal, after the procedure, but its not huge and its over and done in a couple of minutes. I would feed a good quality chaff and add a youngstock vitamin and mineral supplement, ensure good forage at all times, I agree, that its nice to see them leaner rather than fatter, but I would like to see him carry a wee bit more weight, also I would use a 5 day pancur wormer when you get him. Feed him his forage everyday... just give him a tiny groom or just be with him at the time, running your hands all over him. Head collar on and off, and the odd bits of leading, even if its in and out of the yard a couple of times a week, for a mooch around. They love being babies, but you also have really eager and interested horses... make the use of this.
 
I cant reccomend Dodson & Horrel Suregrow enough. It has all the vits and mins in that he'll need. I usually give 1 cupful twice a day. Its my babies staple until theyre three. Usually i couple this with Graze On or Readigrass.
On top of this i'd add good quality ad lib hay or haylage.

Re wolf teeth, its not a big procedure. Done under sedation and at home. Vet or EDT will remove them for you.

Handling- Really id expect him just to be out as much as possible with company of a similar age to be a baby, play and learn life skills. Otherwise, id be picking up feet, getting him to lead properly and knock the nibbling habit on the head before he fully gets into it. I wouldnt be doing much more at this age.

He looks like an nice chap, good luck with him :D
 
Ooooh how exciting for you! He looks a lovely chap- I love his face markings!

As for wolf teeth, my filly had hers taken out at 1yo and I'm glad she did. One was already quite large and hers were difficult to remove- the vet said they would have been even worse the older she was. Even though they were difficult for the vet to remove it was fine for her- she was drugged up and really not bothered afterwards. I'm also glad I had them out a good year and a bit before I would even think about bitting her- long healed and forgotten!

Both the vets I spoke to said they'd always prefer to remove at a young age because they can cause such problems and be such a pain to remove when older.

Good luck with him!
 
You will need a vet for the sedation and an EDT to remove the teeth (unless vet is qual in both). My boys teeth had long roots so a bit more problematic than usual - took about 30 minutes to get them both out but most horses would be a lot quicker and easier I think. I would ask your own EDT as I know some vets/EDT's advise to get them out and some don't think it matters. As I said my KWPN at 6 was competing medium which is a reasonable level for his age, and no-one had removed them so maybe not commonly done in Holland. Just ask your EDT next time your other horses are being done and for now have fun with the baby :)
 
ellie_e said:
I love him!! How's he bred?
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He is by Oliver HFD (who was by Voltaire) out of a Ulster mare (Ironique). I'm glad you like him, he has got a really sweet personality, I can't wait to get to know him better! :) He wouldnt leave me alone the few times we went to see him, I took it as a sign :) He even left his pile of haylage to be with me :)
 
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