Some info on owning a weanling/yearling

[nic85]

Im lucky enough that my OH has said he will buy me a horse, Ive decided to go for a youngster so I can start from scratch.
Now Ive broken in alot of babies and know what to do there but never had a weanling/yearling before (although I have helped with one or two, ive never owned one)


I am considering both colts and fillies so first question is about gelding, Obviously not possible till both bits are present

but around how much would a castration cost?

Also whats the best thing to feed a weanling (obviously what its been fed at home is ideal) but are we looking at suregrow,stud cubes?? Which would be best? ANd at what age can you give them just pasture mix for example? And do they really need any supplement (ie oil,garlic etc) im inclined to say no but Like I said Ive never owned a foal and would just like to do the best I can for it.

I cant think of anything else to ask at this minute but im sure ill think of something!!!

Thanks

 

[Magicmadge]

I bought a weanling filly (she''s 2 now) cob x, but a big one to make over 16hh. I fed her suregrow for her first year with a bit of safe and sound and sugar beet over the winter. She is a good doer. Now she is on 2 small feeds of safe and sound with a bit of mare and youngstock. Her coat is like glass she is calm and very easy to do. I think the average castration is about £150 but last year a friend of mine had to have a full operation as one testicle didn't decend over £600 (ouch)

 

[JanetGeorge]

I'd be inclined to go for a yearling or 2 year old, particularly if you don't have other babies available for company. A slightly older youngster will fit into a herd better (and it will be ready for backing so much sooner.) The other advantage is that you'll have MUCH more idea of what you're buying - in temperament, conformation etc - judging foals ain't easy!

And I'd buy a boy already gelded (if you want a boy). The risks of castration aren't high - but they're there! (And some vets do charge an arm and a leg to geld a colt if it's a one-off. Mine cost about £140 including follow-up antibiotics etc - but then my vet does quite a few for me and the visit charge is always shared. I know of some people copping a bill for £200+ for a 'normal' castration - plus a follow-up bill if there's infection or other problems to deal with.

And go for something WELL handled since birth - they're SO much easier when it comes to backing!! I'm a little way from you but as long as you want something to make at least 16hh, I could show you a nice selection - and you could see dad, mum, and at least a couple of full siblings too!

 

[miller]

I also would go for older if you're only buying the one - we have just bought our first weanlings after many youngsters BUT have bought 2 so they have own age company as well as our older horses - no worries re gelding though - bought 2 fillies

 

[nic85]

thanks for the replies you guys! The foal will be with 3 others one is 24 and acts like a 3 year old (loves to play) the other is very sedate and will be a perfect nanny

the 3rd may be a little old pony or a dopey Tb pony effort who again would like to play...if went all my way then foal would have a baby friend to play with.....we never know!!!
I wouldnt mind maybe a 9 month or yearling, I only have a fairly low budget so 15HH minimum is best as they are usually cheaper ( or so I have found just browsing!!) Im not botherd about breeding, although would prefer a native cross to a pure native, unless it a maesmynach cob but then theres very little chance of me affording one of them!!

 

[CBFan]

JG has hit the nail on the head. After a particularly bad experience I would in future go for a yearling/ 2 year old, they have done quite a lot of their rapid growth by then and any growth related problems should show up. you also have a much better idea of conformation at this age.

Again, get something that has had the basic handling, will lead, be touched all over and have feet picked up and out. oh, and happy to be stabled.

As for feed - hay hay and more hay, a basic chaff, like hi fi and speedi beet with access to a vit and min block or gen purpose supplement. no need for specialist balancers.

 

[rubyrumba]

I bought a weanling in November and he had company of the same age at the livery yard. We then bought a small holding and decided to buy another the same age so he had baby company. They have a 5 yr old mare for company and a 3 yr old pony. They were both wellhandled when i got them and i am over the moon with both of them. They are much better behaved than lots of grown up horses i know and i know there will be no issues with farrier, loading, water,etc as i do everything with them and i am still a tiny bit bigger than them if they should perform!
I had never owned a weanling before but i have loved every minute of every challenge.