Sensitive question about a yearling

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Cedars

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Been umming and aahing about posting this as I REALLY don't want to offend anyone in any way at all, however its been playing on my mind all day as tbh it makes me worry about my little one! So please don't anyone take this to be an insult as its a genuine question.

At the show we went to yesterday, there was another yearling, almost bang on the same age as Puzzle (1year and a few months), doing the novelty classes with us. Gorgeous little girl, really lovely coloured, obviously got some really fine breeding in her. However, she was in every single class with mum. Couldn't be separated from mum, couldn't have any horse within kicking reach, couldn't trot separately from mum (or have mum trot away from her). I wouldn't be suprised if the bubs hadn't even been weaned?

Now, stood next to my Puz there was one HELL of a difference. Their yearling looked very much like a foal. Skinny all over, long lengths, obvious baby face. Puzzle (although obviously a much chunkier breed so there will be a difference) looks ALOT more grown up. Now obviously Puzzle is with me without mum, she was weaned at about 8 months I think (not 100% sure, judging by hoof rings and farrier), so I was wondering whether there is a difference in how grown up Puz is as shes been off mum for so long? And if its bad for her? Obviously we can't change it now, but just interested.

The other question is, I'm taking Puzzy to all these shows because I want her to have the experience. The other people were obviously there for the same thing which is great (and they got v well placed!). However, how would you guys want your youngster to be at a year old? Puzzle is VERY indepedent, shes just a baby but she is treated the same as all the adults. Was shocked by how immature and "babyish" the other yearling was. Immature is perhaps the wrong word but, like, not grown up.

Anyway like I said this really isn't meant to insult anyone, its just a genuine question, more about my worries that maybe Puz is too grown up?! and also just an interest in where you'd want your yearlings to be in their maturity.

xxx
 
i have a 16 month yearling who grazes with her mum and this yearls colt. she can be taken away and worked with no problems. As for how she looks it depends on how she is growing a few weeks ago she looked great but we are not growing again and look rubbish. she grows very uneven looses her topline and looks ribby and no amount of feed stops this.

Ellie is also very independant however due to her rubbish growing she has not been to any shows as every time i go to enter her somewhere she grows may we will need till she is 2 yrs old
 
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Thanks for that. I guess I was just shocked at how clingy and panicked the owners were at them being separated or anyone else being anywhere near them. I would have always expected my yearling to have been easily separated from any companion be it mum or randomer. Guess thats why I was a bit shocked. Could I see a pic of your 16month old?
 
Dont really have an answer to your question but just thought id share too. I have a 12 month old filly atm, she is cob x eventer type horse, she was weaned at 6 months i believe. Shes very independant i think. she will happily go for walk and go away from the others, shes good to groom and be handled. .

I also have a TB mare, at 7 years old people would ask me how old she was as she looked very younge, she had a very babyish face. She will call if she is taken away from other horses and is just generally a big baby!

So i guess i believe some of it is how they are bought up and some of it is in their blood, as in what breed, type they are.
 
I would want a yearling to be able to work independently of its mother and other horses for sure. As for how it looks, I would agree that a lot would depend on its breed and where it is in its growth cycle. Like Lialis, I have a TB mare who is 5 and some days she looks like a 2 year old while on others, she looks well filled out and mature.

I think it sounds like your girl is doing fine and is in great shape. I certainly don't think she's at any disadvantage. Do you have any pics? I'd love to see her. :D
 
LOL Oh baymareb if you insist...*forces herself to open photobucket* ;)

Will try to post from all angles so you can see how she looks - just ignore me and my stupid face! ;)

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Don't have any of her @rse I'm afraid! She's just over 14months I think.
 
I personally don't like seeing foals in with their mothers/vice versa...especially in the inhand when they do their individual. Too much stressing for my liking that I've seen. But, I'm not a huge fan of showing them, bitted at least, at that age either if I'm perfectly honest [Don't have a thing against anyone who does....just for me personally, I don't do it :) ]

However, I can fully understand those who do show their mares and foals in together why they cannot be in kicking reach of anyone....even the most docile mare, when with a foal can pack one HELL of a punch. Specially to any strange horse or colt etc near by. Watching a herd of cobs recently at a stud with a stallion in the herd and foals at foot with a few mares coming into season again too....christ the stallion got a battering if it got near them! Takes kicking to a whooooooole new level.

But if it was me, I'd prefer my yearling [if I had one] lovely to handle if I need to, feet can be picked up/touched all over etc, bold enough attitude and get it loading maybe and take it to a few places if really needed...but ultimately just a baby till it turns 2 1/2 [then start lightly bitting it, tacking up, maybe a quick sit on then], ridden away lightly at 3 and then turned away till 4 before proper work for me really :) :D

If that helps?
 
Binky01, it wasn't mum they were worried about kicking out, it was baby!

I appreciate your opinion on showing bitted youngsters, obviously I do bit her! But I'm showing for the experience and she took to her bridle beautifully. She only goes out once a month so not worried about her teeth.

It does help, thank you. =] Other opinions still appreciated!
 
Sorry like I said....wasn't saying the bitting or showing thing regarding the pics or you personally.....I'd not seen the pics till now. I'd read the first post and respondd quickly lol. No offense meant...as I said, have no issue with it...I just don't do it myself if I can. Mainly because I loathe and detest inhand haha :p Far too much running!

If it was the baby kicking, then yes I'd seriously be a bit miffed by that! Mother I could understand...but I certainly wouldn't want a yearling which there was a chance of it not being desensitised to its backend to things! Don't do kickers on any level.
 
No dont worry at all no offence taken in any way! Everyone has their own opinions! =]

Ye it was the baby they were worried about, not mum. Tbh mum seemed totally chilled, even when baby did have to briefly shift away!

Don't know. Was weird. Just worried that Puz is too grown up/we're pushing her too far! You shoulda seen the difference between them it was insane.
 
Personally, I would expect a yearling to be out and about without mum, especially if you wanted to show them. Mind you, there is a possibility that she was a very late foal and is only 10 or 11 months old, not that excuses the flying back legs....

Your girl looks very well grown at the moment and very sweet :)

My Section D was a "big" yearling, looked like a 2 yo to be honest and did well in the show ring (well, as long as he didn't get too tired and have to lay down for a nap:eek:he loved his sleep) but was very gawky at 2 and positively ugly at 3.....in fact, I used to look at him sometimes at that age and think to myself "actually that quite a handsome horse" look back 5 minutes later and he'd look like a cross between a giraffe and an elephant:rolleyes: they change so much, so quickly as youngsters.
 
Baymareb, shes so funny she loves giving me kisses =]

CBMCTS I asked them, she was 14months old. Exactly the same as Puz.

Oh well, you're all making me feel much better that perhaps its their foal that is a tad behind. Like I said though, gorgeous youngster.

It may be the case, of course, that actually it was just the handlers that were panicking and the foal would have been fine. It looks distressed when not stood touching mum but not totally freaking out.

Thanks guys. Keep opinions coming of course xxx
 
Our baby wasn't weaned properly until he was 3 1/2, yes really, we just never got around to it and he just used to suckle when he was upset or needing some comfort from her! We could take him out of the field etc. and he was fine and I would have expected to be able to so anything with him. He was also quite a chunky monkey from birth and never really looked gangly. I would imagine that they are worried about the whole weaning thing, I couldn't imagine why anyone would take a yearling to a show with mum in tow in all the classes.
 
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