Things I need to know about getting a youngster

[Highflinger]

Hello everyone - Happy New Year.
I am interested in getting a youngster ( weanling - 2 years). Ideally a Section D . I need to be as prepared as possible so this may be the first of many posts...
I have had horses for 40 years but always adult horses. I have my own seven acre field with shelters ( no formal stables) and several sand schools I can use in a 1 mile radius and excellent hacking. I have my riding pony aged 15 and my retired pony aged 29. Both geldings - both Section Ds. Live out 24/7. I keep for life.
I have no experience of youngsters but would engage prof help and instruction. I prefer natural horsemanship type methods.
I plan to buy from a Welsh stud - am keen on particular breeding lines but ideally 14.2 traditional "pony" type with a quiet temp..
Firstly is it wise to turnout a youngster with "mature" horses or should I have another youngster - would consider a rehome youngster from a rescue
I would prefer a colt (or already gelded) - when it the best time to geld
Fencing - perimeter currently a mix of natural hedge , plain and some barbed wire - I then sub divide into a mix of track/strip rotational with electric fencing - I assume this is not suitable for youngsters?
General handling - I will prof help but some general advice
Am I mad - I am 52....Not a very confident rider - a happy hacker , very low level riding club but confident on the ground.

Any additional advice /opinions/experiences gratefully received.

 

[exracehorse]

I had the ginger witch as a two year old. She was thrown in with Joker, who acted as an uncle. Put her in her place. Other than bringing her in and out of field. And quick groom etc, I basically left her alone. At 3 she turned into a horrid brat. Biting stage . So then the groundwork started. I sent her away to be backed by a friend. She’s honestly .. the best little horse ever. I’m 55. I got her four years ago. And had never had a youngster before. If you want Welsh D’s then I recommend Sarah. She’s Essex/Suffolk border.

 

[MarvelVillis]

I got my first youngster as my first horse. Wasn't intentional, was after something older 'been there done that' type, but fell in love with the photo of him from his advert and it was the best thing I have ever done. I bought him when he had just turned 2 straight from the stud, where he had been living out with mixed ages, youngsters etc. I then had him moved to a livery yard where he shared with one other gelding, an older TB. I was happy to do this because he had spent the first couple years of his life out in a herd with other youngsters, just being a horse and not doing much at all. I personally wouldn't put anything younger than 2 on a traditional livery set up, I would look for youngstock livery instead. Therefore I think if you are getting something 2 years + then it should be fine sharing with your others. That being said, if you have the room and finances for another youngster, then I'm sure your new one would enjoy another youngster to play with. Maybe you could get one on loan with the intention of returning later on?
Can't advise much on the best time to geld, however mine was gelded at 2 and didn't lead to any behavioural issues of any kind.
I would say the fencing set up would be fine. It might that your new one isn't used to electric fencing if they don't have it at the stud but they soon learn!
Handling wise, I didn't do much with my youngster until he turned 3. Until then, it was general handling like picking up feet, leading nicely, standing to be groomed etc. I did take him for a walk every now and then to start introducing him to traffic. Once he turned 3, I did loads and loads of long reining with him out on the roads, groundwork in the school, slowly introducing him to tack before he was sent off to be backed.
Lots of people told me I was mad, but I honestly fell in love with him and it was the best decision I ever made. I bought all the books, sought the regular help of a professional for all the firsts, was never afraid to ask for help/advice, and from all of that we made it work. It was expensive, and time consuming, but so worth it for the horse I have today.

 

[exracehorse]

I got my first youngster as my first horse. Wasn't intentional, was after something older 'been there done that' type, but fell in love with the photo of him from his advert and it was the best thing I have ever done. I bought him when he had just turned 2 straight from the stud, where he had been living out with mixed ages, youngsters etc. I then had him moved to a livery yard where he shared with one other gelding, an older TB. I was happy to do this because he had spent the first couple years of his life out in a herd with other youngsters, just being a horse and not doing much at all. I personally wouldn't put anything younger than 2 on a traditional livery set up, I would look for youngstock livery instead. Therefore I think if you are getting something 2 years + then it should be fine sharing with your others. That being said, if you have the room and finances for another youngster, then I'm sure your new one would enjoy another youngster to play with. Maybe you could get one on loan with the intention of returning later on?
Can't advise much on the best time to geld, however mine was gelded at 2 and didn't lead to any behavioural issues of any kind.
I would say the fencing set up would be fine. It might that your new one isn't used to electric fencing if they don't have it at the stud but they soon learn!
Handling wise, I didn't do much with my youngster until he turned 3. Until then, it was general handling like picking up feet, leading nicely, standing to be groomed etc. I did take him for a walk every now and then to start introducing him to traffic. Once he turned 3, I did loads and loads of long reining with him out on the roads, groundwork in the school, slowly introducing him to tack before he was sent off to be backed.
Lots of people told me I was mad, but I honestly fell in love with him and it was the best decision I ever made. I bought all the books, sought the regular help of a professional for all the firsts, was never afraid to ask for help/advice, and from all of that we made it work. It was expensive, and time consuming, but so worth it for the horse I have today.

Agree with all above. Same as what I did with my unplanned two year that I bought.

 

[ihatework]

From what you have written I’d say the following

Dont get a single weanling, if you are going weanling then get 2.

I’d advise you consider a 2 coming 3 year old (on the assumption you are set on unbacked, in reality I’d say find one sympathetically backed already). Preferably one that has had some handling. I think you would find this easier to integrate into your current set up. Plus you will get a better inkling on temperament.

I love welshies, and I know they come in a range of temperaments, but they are predisposed to being chancers and as you say you are a nervous rider then I’d say you really need to know your back up plan. Are you prepared to have the horse away on training livery for an extended period of time if it proves to live up to its Welsh stereotype?

 

[Quigleyandme]

I’m 65 and will be buying my second mob of ID weanlings in the November sales. I really enjoyed my first impulse buy weanlings. I found it so rewarding to train them to be mannerly and confident youngsters. There’s so much you can do in terms of groundwork to give them a good foundation for their ridden careers.

 

[Boughtabay]

I wouldnt turn anything under 1 out with an adult horse & the closer to 2 the better. Youngsters with hot temperaments (which welsh can be predisposed to) are quite hard work and need consistent, regular handling. Sounds like you know what you’re doing though and … why get one if you can get 2 guilt free

 

[Landcruiser]

I bought my first (last!) youngster at 2 1/2 and she was turned out with my two older geldings (20+) once they'd had some time getting used to each other over the fence. (! was 61 at the time). Unfortunately she had quite a few medical issues (an injury, surgery, rehab, ulcers, selenium deficiency, mud fever so far)which has set us back by a year and turned her into a furious biting rearing ball of frustration for a good while, on top of the normal teenage stuff. That said, despite everything, she's come round and is (mostly) good mannered and well handled now although not yet backed at 5. I'm working towards building some muscle and fitness on her before backing her when she passes her actual 5th birthday in April.

My plan was to keep riding my older ridden horse until she was old enough, but he has arthritis now and is limited to walk only, pretty much...so I've been a long time without a good riding horse. TBH I was looking for a "just backed, ride away" horse, but the temptation of a youngster to train myself was too much, and I don't regret it. She's taught me masses and we are barely begun.

It's very useful having a sensible older horse to pony a youngster around, we have managed quite a bit of this and she's great on the roads even with huge lorries, tractors etc, because of my old boy.

In short, I'd say your set up sounds fine for a 2+, and you are a mere stripling at 52. Go for it.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

The one thing I would say is a MUST before getting a youngster is to know well the basics of pressure and release. Every moment with them is a learning curve, and if you get a forgiving one (section D makes this less likely) then you can make mistakes, but if you consistently mess up pressure and release in every day life when they are figuring things out or you are trying to teach them something, you are very likely going to create yourself a nightmare of a 4yo!

Youngsters are great though, I have loved having Dex (I bought him at 3y and 2 days old), because they don't know everything, it's all a massive achievement when you crack it and it makes everything great fun. You can't become complacent and it's nice to have to be on your game with them. Thoroughly recommend if you have a good set up and some fall back support if you hit a bump in the road

 

[SEL]

Just be prepared for all the work that's needed to turn them into a sensible riding horse. I have two friends who have youngsters (one was a BOGOF so since birth and the other at 6 months) who are forever moaning about their manners - both are now 3 and it doesn't seem to have occured to my friends that they're the ones who have created these monsters!!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Just be prepared for all the work that's needed to turn them into a sensible riding horse. I have two friends who have youngsters (one was a BOGOF so since birth and the other at 6 months) who are forever moaning about their manners - both are now 3 and it doesn't seem to have occured to my friends that they're the ones who have created these monsters!!

I really enjoy it when people moan and groan about how bad their horse has been, or how badly mannered they can be, or they do this and that and the rest of it; all the while wondering if they realise that their horse is a direct reflection of themselves and how much work they have/are willing to put in..

 

[Nudibranch]

They definitely need another youngster for company although as you have older horses as well they'd be a good mix, as the older ones will teach them manners.

Electric fencing is fine for older youngsters although I wouldn't put a weanling or two in with it unless I knew they had prior experience.

Youngsters are very rewarding and I love being able to shape the horse I want. Backing is usually easy; bringing on correctly not so simple but common sense goes a long way. I've always found long reining the most useful tool for getting out and about without putting any weight on their backs, I tend to start at 3 rather than 2 so they're a bit more mentally mature and ready for new sights and sounds. But you can walk out in hand any time once they're bitted and established with basic handling, and that gives them a really good head start in life.

 

[Orangehorse]

Do lots of ground work before backing. It really makes a difference. Not just long reining but stepping over poles, S shapes, round barrels, over ground sheets, it makes them think.

Remember that every time you handle your horse you are training it, so as above, be consistent with your handling, i.e. notone day allow them to rub their face on you and the next day get cross.

I bought a very well educated and handled 2 year old, but I realised that people who school horses and produce them really earn their money.
But I had him for 23 years and although his faults were mine, they weren't numerous or serious.

 

[Boulty]

Would advise if you’re going to get anything under about 3 then youngstock livery or other setup where they can be with other youngstock (& preferably also a few older horses to keep them in check) is generally a better option than throwing something that young in with older horses. If you’re determined you want really young and to keep at home then you ideally would need 2 so had another youngster for company.

A 3 or 4 yr old might be a better bet from that POV.

Get professional help from the start if you’ve not had a youngster before and if you’re not very confident and have no backing experience you’re probably best to send away to someone you trust who has experience of / actually likes the breed. (& obviously you’ll need ongoing support in place to help you bring on)

You’re obviously taking a gamble on what sort of horse your youngster will grow into and whether that will be a horse you will actually enjoy riding & being around.

It will be 2 or 3 times as much work as you think it will be, and everything will take 2 or 3 times longer than you thought it would.

Oh & everything that can go wrong probably will do!

 

[dorsetladette]

I love showing youngsters the world and I'd never intentionally have anything that isn't welsh. I grew up with them and to me anything else just seems boring.

A mixed age range herd works well, but at least one of your older ones needs to be playful or you'll have a baby looking for mischief or getting hurt trying to get the others to play when it's nap time etc.

Both my current babies came to me at 9 months old about a year apart. I like starting at that point as they are not overly handled or in someone else's routine or picked up any bad habits.

Mine all live out 24/7

For the first few Months I brought baby in at the same time as an older pony. Tied up next to each other. I groom older one then groom younger one (quick brush so baby doesn't get bored). Then pick feet out the same way. It works really well and they learn and have a little support from older friend. I do the same with walking out in hand until they are confident enough to walk out alone.

Our basic plan with all of them is to show them everything they might see in life while they are young and inquisitive. That way when you start to ride the only new thing is you sat on top instead of stood next too.

I teach them from day one the things that make my life easier. They stand to have rugs changed etc in field (takes a bit of time), to pick feet out in field, not to get in my space.

The only thing I'd say is all babies no matter how well handled/brought up go through the bargy, rude, bolshy terrible twos stage. How long it lasts depends on how you handle it. They are kids and they test boundaries - if they didn't they wouldn't know it was wrong to push past you in a gate way or wave a foot when you go to pick it up.

Regarding gelding - you'll know when it's the right time. I prefer to leave until around 2yrs, but they get done in the spring if they are t##ts or in the autumn if they are better behaved.

IMHO Nothing more rewarding than producing one from a baby into a nicely rounded individual who is ready to handle the world.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Have a good support network.
Do lots of research! I found books invaluable (I particularly like the Richard Maxwell - how to train your young horse).
Keep sessions short and sweet - that goes for even the most basic of groundwork. Don’t overdo it! It’s amazing how quickly they tire from working their brains in new ways.

Honestly training my young horse was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I got him at 9 months old and he has a lot of trust for me which makes everything easier.

(Also, have you any experience with welshies? They are cracking animals, however a lot of them do have a certain temperament which isn’t always for the faint hearted - but most are gold underneath the sass)

 

[Marigold4]

Definitely have a good think about how to make the fencing safe if you are thinking of a weanling. Barbed wire is a definite no. I have spent a fortune on my fencing but reckon it's cheaper than the vet bills from a fencing injury. I have two weanlings and use electric fencing on 10 ft spaced wooden posts with proper fixings and 40mm tape pulled VERY tight. The weanlings are fun but need lots of hoof-care, vaccinations and worming. If you don't get the worming right, it can go horribly wrong. I bought my gelding (now 7) as a two-year-old and that was much more straightforward. He was kept in a mixed herd and this was fine for him. I think in your situation I would go for something older, 2 years plus. Then you won't need two (weanlings and yearlings ideally need another to play with) and if you get one from a breeder who has done the early months properly, all should go well.

 

[Highflinger]

Thank you everyone for your replies - much appreciated. I am leaning towards a two year old . I now need to find him!!! I am very keen to get particular breeding lines which may narrow the field quite a bit but I will keep you updated.