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My advice would be to pop him in the field with plenty of haylage and the appropriate level of Suregrow for his weight daily. Photo's can be misleading but the near fore looks boxy, a good farrier might be able to rectify but time for physio has passed as he is now a yearling.

As far as showing him in hand you would need to get him in good condition, which is not the best idea for the joints of a growing young horse. If he was mine I would just handle him through the winter and think about taking him to a local show for a look round as a 3 year old before breaking him in the Spring of his 4 year with a light ride away.

Possibly not what you wanted to hear, but the less they do before they are 5 the more they will do after they are 15, and if you force growth with food you are heading for a disaster.
 
AdorableAlice said:
My advice would be to pop him in the field with plenty of haylage and the appropriate level of Suregrow for his weight daily. Photo's can be misleading but the near fore looks boxy, a good farrier might be able to rectify but time for physio has passed as he is now a yearling.

As far as showing him in hand you would need to get him in good condition, which is not the best idea for the joints of a growing young horse. If he was mine I would just handle him through the winter and think about taking him to a local show for a look round as a 3 year old before breaking him in the Spring of his 4 year with a light ride away.

Possibly not what you wanted to hear, but the less they do before they are 5 the more they will do after they are 15, and if you force growth with food you are heading for a disaster.
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Absolutely this.

He has that much catching up to do, some would be tempted to 'feed, feed, feed' when you need to be careful how quickly he grows. Good quality forage and balancer and patience !
 
Thank you for the advice, the farrier will be coming the week after he arrives so I can ask him to look at that! Turnout is limited over winter as I don't have a lot of land and don't want it ruined for spring, is there anything you suggest to do with him to get him out and having some fun?
 
You don't need to do much with a yearling at all, generally being able to bring in/turn out, feet, handle, groom, scratch, walk into and out if trailer/box, maybe the odd short walk in hand to see what the world is about. Nothing too taxing. That's plenty to be going on with. Enjoy getting to know him, and him you.

More importantly, company of a horsey kind in a field to just 'be a horse' to socialise correctly and just grow up is the main thing.
 
He needs to be out, if that means moving to a yard that can offer it then so be it.

Ideally out with other youngsters to play and interact with. Second best option would be a big barn with others.

A local breeder might be able to help with turnout in a suitable herd.
 
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He's a sweetie, really like him. I agree with everything that's been said, take him out to let him see the show and the atmosphere but turn him out and let him be himself. He'll get put in his place by the others in the field.
 
his very sweet and I am sure by next spring he will look a picture with the correct food and care, he needs as much turnout as possible that means everyday I wouldn't be keeping a yearling in all winter, lots of good quality hay and by spring you will be ready to do some in hand classes, there are not many showing shows through the winter anyway so you have plenty of time to get him looking showring ready.
 
For showing he will be classed as a two year old from January 1st. Two year olds have a hard time in the showring against much more developed three year olds so take next year as a bit of fun practice and do some low key showing for his education and take on board judges comments. He is certainly not show ready as he stands but in time there is no reason why he wont be show worthy. In the meantime I would try and see if you can find turnout for him over winter

Good luck with him, he has a lovely face :)
 
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