tell me about foals & youngsters please

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jellybean09

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Hi. I am now in the position to get another horse and was looking at a foal/youngster to have along side my current horse. I have previously kept my horses at home so no facilities and main road hacking. However i have now moved to our new yard with school and lane hacking.

Please could someone tell me about foals & youngsters and what they require growing up or recommend any books/sites for information. I am experienced but have never had anything young due to the above.

A bit of background info - will be kept on private yard with 2 other horses and shetland, help of an instructor and experienced friends. I have worked with youngsters that have come in for backing but nothing under 4yrs.

Thank you for reading ☺
 
Hi, i am waiting for my weaner to come home in September I to am about the same as u however I have done lots of research and have a friend who's a breeder so good advice taken. If u buy a colt u will struggle to find somewhere to keep it until hes cut I have struggled and managed at a push to find 2 places to keep him but it's taken a lot of negotiations even with both of those places. You want somewhere with some youngsters/foal or something sensible for it to go out with eg a broodmare or something used to babies, turning it out with a herd will lead to tears and leave u with an injured horse unfortunately. I don't plan to turn mine out like u would a 4 year old until he's about 2! Because of this mainstream livery yards are pretty much out unless they are used to having babies/youngsters and know about the turnout issues. You want as much turnout as possible ideally 24/7 with a shelter or turnout not restricted this can be hard so just go for as much turnout as possible research shows foals with maximum turnout develop mentally and physically better. I plan to feed mainly Haylege and a mineral lick then chaff possibly young stock mix if weight is dropping. I put a thread up on here and that's what most people said u don't want to over grow their tendons etc a lot just feed grass and Haylege. For info I have googled specific things I have wanted to know and often it appears on a horse and hound threAd short of that try google books. Good luck :)
 
Thank you for your reply ☺ i would be looking for a colt. I wont have the worry of a yard as its our own land. 24/7 turn out would not be a problem and there would be access to a shelter and stable if needed. My only concern is there wouldn't be any other youngsters to turn out with. There is my16.2 who is very sensible in the field and also my shetland who will stand his ground. Any turnout requirements can be done. I am in no rush and would love to have one from a foal but i am under no illusions that i may not have the ideal set up hence all the research Thank you
 
Maybe try splitting the field in two have the 16.2 one side and the foal and shetland the other for a few days if all goes well let the 16.2 in / remove the fence. Mine isn't going out with a youngster but a broodmare to begin with as I am in the same situation and no one has a foal / youngster for me to turn out with. he will be cut in the spring if not this autumn so should be no issues with him being out with the broodmare.
 
Buying a foal was the best thing I ever did. He was truly untouched my human hands, having been born in a field next to a railway line in between villages and the middle of nowhere. He lived with a herd of cows and his mum (nope it didn't make him good with cows, he was afraid of them:-))

We're going back 18 years ago when I got him, before the internet and information overload. I'd really given myself a bashing with my first horse - I read books that told me what my young horse and I should be doing and felt woefully stupid and inadequate when I couldn't do shoulder in, never mind half passe. So, with the foal I decided not to do the same, but to play it by ear. I took advice from Spillers regarding what to feed him (High Fibre Cube mashes, with a small amount of vitamin supplement) as he was a chubby native), and advice from the vet regarding worming and the rest I learnt as I went along.

The first time we led him out, he ended upside down in a ditch:-) It was only a shallow ditch and a soft landing... and he sort of rolled rather than flipped. I guess he wasn't quite as used to feeling a little tension on the lead rope as we thought.

It was an absolutely brilliant time and I learned so much from that little foal. I spent hours with him, just pottering around the livery yard and up to the road to get him used to seeing a bit of traffic and walking around on his own, without an adult horse. I'm convinced that his early 'education' gave him his love of hacking - he never once napped in all the years I had him and he was great to hack alone.

So, my advice would be. Don't read too much, go with the flow, do a bit at a time, don't get cross, but be patient and kind, but stick to your guns, he'll naturally look to you as his boss without you having to spell it out. And don't hang around too long when it comes to castration. My boy's hormones kicked in at around a year old and he was a pain in the neck, trying to mount my gelding, so he was gelded at about 14 months old, around April before the flies got bad.

There are only a few things I'd change - the main one being my choice of farrier, who wasn't good with babies. It took years to regain my boy's confidence when having his feet done, all because the farrier thought hitting a foal was the way to teach them to stand quietly when having their feet done.

My foal had only adult company, but my riding horse was playful anyway, so the foal didn't miss out on having fun and games.

Above all, just enjoy it.
 
B
Cobbytype said:
Buying a foal was the best thing I ever did. He was truly untouched my human hands, having been born in a field next to a railway line in between villages and the middle of nowhere. He lived with a herd of cows and his mum (nope it didn't make him good with cows, he was afraid of them:-))

We're going back 18 years ago when I got him, before the internet and information overload. I'd really given myself a bashing with my first horse - I read books that told me what my young horse and I should be doing and felt woefully stupid and inadequate when I couldn't do shoulder in, never mind half passe. So, with the foal I decided not to do the same, but to play it by ear. I took advice from Spillers regarding what to feed him (High Fibre Cube mashes, with a small amount of vitamin supplement) as he was a chubby native), and advice from the vet regarding worming and the rest I learnt as I went along.

The first time we led him out, he ended upside down in a ditch:-) It was only a shallow ditch and a soft landing... and he sort of rolled rather than flipped. I guess he wasn't quite as used to feeling a little tension on the lead rope as we thought.

It was an absolutely brilliant time and I learned so much from that little foal. I spent hours with him, just pottering around the livery yard and up to the road to get him used to seeing a bit of traffic and walking around on his own, without an adult horse. I'm convinced that his early 'education' gave him his love of hacking - he never once napped in all the years I had him and he was great to hack alone.

So, my advice would be. Don't read too much, go with the flow, do a bit at a time, don't get cross, but be patient and kind, but stick to your guns, he'll naturally look to you as his boss without you having to spell it out. And don't hang around too long when it comes to castration. My boy's hormones kicked in at around a year old and he was a pain in the neck, trying to mount my gelding, so he was gelded at about 14 months old, around April before the flies got bad.

There are only a few things I'd change - the main one being my choice of farrier, who wasn't good with babies. It took years to regain my boy's confidence when having his feet done, all because the farrier thought hitting a foal was the way to teach them to stand quietly when having their feet done.

My foal had only adult company, but my riding horse was playful anyway, so the foal didn't miss out on having fun and games.

Above all, just enjoy it.
Click to expand...

Im taking a leaf out of your book ... Just going to enjoy it and not worry too much :) lovely to hear what a fantastic time u had
 
R.F.S said:
B

Im taking a leaf out of your book ... Just going to enjoy it and not worry too much :) lovely to hear what a fantastic time u had
Click to expand...

Oh gosh yes, it was brilliant and I'd love to do it again, but my age is a tad against me, although my husband is all for us having a foal.

What I did with my foal went completely against the thinking of that day. Back then it was all about keeping them completely wild until they were old enough to break, but I chose to 'break my horse in' from the day he came to me at six months old. If you do everything at a natural, steady pace, it's so easy to go back a step or two if the youngster gets worried. You've all the time in the world to let them see life and build a trusting relationship.

As it was, my boy was 6 when he was sent away to be backed because he kept growing until that age (and beyond but more steadily). He was very straight forward to get started because nothing came as a massive shock - I'd led him around the farm and beyond off my old horse, so getting him backed was just a natural progression from the education he received from day 1 of him coming to me.

My parents weren't over keen on my getting a foal - I think they thought I'd bitten off more than I could chew. I bought Jasper in the August for £250 and at Christmas my mum said to me "Well, if nothing comes of him, you've more than had your money's worth out of him, all the joy he's given you".

They are great fun!
 
I was raising my mare from about 6 hours old, although she wasn't mine until 4 weeks. That didn't matter though, I still saw and had contact with her from the day she was born and it was a beautiful decision. She was amazing to handle at all stages even until now (she turned 5 in March) and backing her was pretty much a breeze! The only thing we ever struggled with was learning to canter. She went from putting her head on my lap and sleeping as a foal, to me sitting on her back while she dozed just earlier this year! I think the way i've been able to truly bring her up myself has had a massive impact on our relationship and I would reccomend it to anybody. Although this means I think i'm too soft of her sometimes, she could do with me being a bit firmer I think but only with little things as she doesn't really put a foot wrong!
I would say she is very reliant on me when hacking and experiencing new things as she is slightly unsure of herself and looks for guidance but that might just be the baby in her. I hope that I could have every horse I will ever own from foal if i'm honest. A truly life changing experience.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that while she stands perfectly for the farrier everytime, even for her first pair of shoes, the dentist is her nemesis. Had to be sedated because she tried to attack him last time he needed to check her -sigh- I guess she can't be perfect all the time.
 
I bought a newfie youngster as a playmate for my foal, he cost next to nothing and it was lovely for my foal to have a mate to play with, he was also turned out with his Mum and another adult mare who adored him. I don't think it is essential for them to have a playmate but remember they might try to play with you if their field mates are too boring.
I got my newfie broken in and sold him as ready to ride away. I made a loss but he earned his keep.
 
I bought a 9 month filly unseen from Ireland and do not regret a thing. She is now 3 years old and the sweetest horse I've ever met. I don't know to what extent this is due to her natural temperament, however I do think upbringing plays a large part. When you buy a weanling/youngster you are effectively given a blank slate, so it is a very rewarding experience to put the work in with them and see them grow and change.

Mine lived out from the moment she stepped off the lorry, she has lived with older horses, mares, geldings, and spent about a year with another her age (I could spend ages watching them play together). She hasn't been 'babied', she has her scratches and loves a fuss, but she has been taught to respect my personal space. She was taught to lead, have her feet handled, and then has pretty much been left alone until now. I hope to have her lunging and long reining nicely by the end of summer, she'll then have the winter off and be sent away next spring.
 
Thank you for your replies :) it's lovely to hear other peoples stories with babies! I've only had older 'problem' horses where I have done reschooling but I'd love the challenge, enjoyment and learning of starting from scratch.
 
I bought a uhandled yearling 4 years ago, turned him out with my other horse and midgets and went from there. He was kept at home and I was very much on my own as I'd moved to the other end of the country. I just went with my gut instinct over everything, took my time, I had 3 solid years of just me and him learning the ropes together before I moved back home. I got my old instructor in to help me back him when he was 4 and its been an utter joy, he's been a total star all the way, never put a hoof out of line. The best experience ever, little miracle how that little scruff bag who wouldn't let me touch him let's me ride on his back and trusts me to take care of him, wouldn't change a minute of the whole process
 
So rewarding, I loaned a weanling as a companion to an oldie, she arrived terrified, just off mum, first time in a trailer, she exploded from the trailer into our (luckily) secure yard, no headcollar, after a few circuits of the yard and lots of encouragement, she followed the old boy into the actual stable yard, she settled with our 4, within days knowing her place and staying close to the old boy and grew in confidence daily, took her slowly, letting her figure out grooming, picking feet up etc, she took everything in her stride, even meeting a beekeeper in full regalia without batting an eyelid, she's the only pony I ever had to persuade her to come off a trailer, so sad to send her back after the old boy was pts
 
I bred my filly, 3 this year and I watched her born, was the first to touch her and have slowly brought her on. I am a nervous rider but have just backed her and she didn't bat an eyelid have been having fun doing baby hacks. I had no access to other babies but she lives with my gelding whom she loves to bits and we are using him to help reassure her about the world and my percheron mare is keeping her manners in check. Hopefully she will go as a driving pair with my boy. It's so exciting each step u take but be prepared for the days where baby has a Kevin moment. :)
 
I breed two or three Highland ponies a year as a hobby and simply love the 'educating the young' side of things! I am 75 and have no hsitation in handling youngsters, though I do leave the backing and anything technical or dangerous to the girls (who are an education in themselves to an old bachelor!:O). I've a newly weaned foal in the field shelter right now. We got her eating soaked sugar beet, then onto carrots by grating some onto the sugar beet. Now she is on carrots, it is easy to 'reward' for a bit of gently handling. From now on she wil be scratched and handled several times a day. This one will be easy, sometimes they aren't. All it really takes is patient persistence. Yes, she did get a whack on the backside with a stick for trying to kick (several times) but hasn't done it again since. But don't ever let them learn they are stronger than you. Learn pressure-and-release and approach-and-withdrawal techniques. Introduce them to scary things early and later they will think nothing about them. We teach our foals that loading is fun and there is usually food in there. If left with a trailer in the field, they will often investigate out of curiosity. Walking over plastic and plywood sheets is an adventure. An umbrella looks frightening, but is just puff and bluster! You will have a lot of fun with your youngster. Yes, putting them in with older horses can be a risk. Our stallion tried to kill a yearling (his own son) when he was first introduced and of course that should never be tried with mares around. The farrier said he would never accept him but with a proper introduction by being in the next field, he did. It is obviously pretty safe when you see them mutual grooming over the fence.
 
I had a lot of hard work to do with my present horse when I bought him as a newly castrated two year old from a stud. He had hardly been handled and had only ever been turned out with another colt his age. His default mode was play fighting with anything near him, me included, so I would never recommend turning youngsters out with only other youngsters. Thankfully my gelding took no nonsense from him and helped me teach him some boundaries. The foal I bought at weaning and turned out with cows and sheep on the other hand was the easiest ever to break and ride away!
 
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