Weanling Advice

[Ellietotz]

Hello all.

I'm getting myself very stressed out and starting to doubt myself about going through with the purchase once my new boy is weaned.

My plan was to get him home, let him see the fields on his own first and once everyone has settled, add my mare in. I was going to get him used to being handled out in the field to start with, putting headcollar on and off, then do a little bit of tying up/leading at the weekends so no pressure and very gradual.

I'm now being told by my YO that I'm going to need to keep him in for a month or so to get him used to my mare coming in and out and I'll have to practice tying him up/leading in the evenings. I'm being told I need to feed him a pound of stud mix a day as well despite being native. I don't think this is going to stop any time soon either and I'll keep being told how to manage him.

I'm just starting to feel like I can't be bothered with the hassle of it all now and my excitement to get him home has just plummeted.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

YO is talking out of her backside!

You could just say, 'thanks for the advice' and then carry on in your own way.

 

[Ellietotz]

YO is talking out of her backside!

You could just say, 'thanks for the advice' and then carry on in your own way.

Thank you.
I'm doubting myself completely and if something goes wrong, I won't hear the end of it.

I've been told that if I put him straight into the field to look around, he will panic bolt through the fence so he needs to be in for a week or so when he arrives as well as even longer to get him used to a routine of my mare coming and going??

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would talk to the breeder before you bring him home, ask for their advice and tell your YO that you are following it. Whatever else you do, I certainly wouldn't give him a load of studmix, unless he has been having it at the breeder's, which I very much doubt.

 

[AmyMay]

Thank you.
I'm doubting myself completely and if something goes wrong, I won't hear the end of it.

I've been told that if I put him straight into the field to look around, he will panic bolt through the fence

He will.

Neither your, nor YO’s plan is satisfactory for a weanling. Sorry.

As posts on here so often say - he needs to be with his own age and on a yard that can cater for youngsters.

 

[TheMule]

Is he expected to stay out in the field alone when the mare goes in at night?
I'm not sure what set up you have planned but your yard and routine do not sound suitable for a weanling

 

[Ellietotz]

Is he expected to stay out in the field alone when the mare goes in at night?
I'm not sure what set up you have planned but your yard and routine do not sound suitable for a weanling

No, she will be out with him 24/7.

 

[TheMule]

No, she will be out with him 24/7.

How odd- why wouldn’t you just introduce them as you would normally and then pop them in together? I don’t understand the need to 'get him used to the mare coming in and out'

 

[Ellietotz]

How odd- why wouldn’t you just introduce them as you would normally and then pop them in together? I don’t understand the need to 'get him used to the mare coming in and out'

That's what I mean. I'm being told he will need to stay in for a month to get him used to me bringing her onto the yard etc? It doesn't make sense as he won't be able to see her all the time anyway if he is stuck in! My plan was to let them see each other over the fence for a couple of days and then let them in together.

 

[HBB]

My plan was to let them see each other over the fence for a couple of days and then let them in together.

Please don't do that, you could end up with him going through or over the fence in panic to get to your mare or company.
Has he been handled and already used to being tied up, leading etc? If so, I would keep him in for a couple of days with your mare stabled in the next stable and then turn them out together. I assume it will only be the 2 of them in the paddock?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

He really would be better with friends his own age and your mare to keep them all in order.

 

[Kaylum]

How has he been weaned? With others his age? How old is he x

 

[Ellietotz]

How has he been weaned? With others his age? How old is he x

6 months and with a couple of others the same age x

 

[Ellietotz]

Please don't do that, you could end up with him going through or over the fence in panic to get to your mare or company.
Has he been handled and already used to being tied up, leading etc? If so, I would keep him in for a couple of days with your mare stabled in the next stable and then turn them out together. I assume it will only be the 2 of them in the paddock?

Nope, completely unhandled but very confident and lets me touch him all over and put a headcollar on. Yes, just the two of them. I could have them in together but I've been told he will jump over the stable door if I put him in without a top door!

 

[AmyMay]

Nope, completely unhandled but very confident and lets me touch him all over and put a headcollar on. Yes, just the two of them. I could have them in together but I've been told he will jump over the stable door if I put him in without a top door!

I think you’re on a hiding to nothing, and really need to rethink your plans.

 

[Ellietotz]

I think you’re on a hiding to nothing, and really need to rethink your plans.

Is there anything I can do to make it work before I pull out?

 

[[153312]]

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[AmyMay]

Is there anything I can do to make it work before I pull out?

Why not keep him with the breeder?

 

[Ellietotz]

Why not keep him with the breeder?

Until when? I don't think it would be possible though, the other youngsters will be going soon too.

 

[Ellietotz]

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This is coming up blank for me?

 

[[153312]]

This is coming up blank for me?

Yes sorry I did respond but then I read some of the other replies and realized I hadn't taken everything into account when formulating a response, so I deleted it because it wasn't relevant! Sorry!!

 

[ihatework]

You find a yard that is suitably set up to take youngstock! Until the weanling is at least 2 years old.

 

[windand rain]

I would have him in with the top door shut and handle and introduce him to the mare walking out, over the door with both held, We usually just put ours out with the easiest one in the herd before adding the others never had a problem except when I tried the youngster on its own an the baby shot through the fencing and was pursued around the field by the others. Maybe hold the mare in the school and let the foal loose so it can get away but she cannot go for it curiosity will bring it to her but give it a chance. You can then try holding the mare on a lungeline until she accepts him

 

[Ellietotz]

You find a yard that is suitably set up to take youngstock! Until the weanling is at least 2 years old.

Sadly, the idea of having him now was to replace the current companions as they are costing me a fortune in hay and I dont need two of them. They aren't mine so thought for the next few years before becoming my riding pony, he could be the companion instead so it would seem counterproductive having him somewhere else paying livery for as well. For the sake of a couple of hundred that I'm paying for him, I'd be better letting him go to another home if that's the only option.

 

[ImmyS]

Sadly, the idea of having him now was to replace the current companions as they are costing me a fortune in hay and I dont need two of them. They aren't mine so thought for the next few years before becoming my riding pony, he could be the companion instead so it would seem counterproductive having him somewhere else paying livery for as well. For the sake of a couple of hundred that I'm paying for him, I'd be better letting him go to another home if that's the only option.

If this is the case, I think your set up would be better suited to 2/3 year old rather than a weanling.

 

[tda]

And also, he's a he, still not gelded? Not really suitable to go in with a mare even at that young age.

 

[Ellietotz]

And also, he's a he, still not gelded? Not really suitable to go in with a mare even at that young age.

He will be gelded as soon as he is "ready", not quite there yet.

 

[tda]

That could be a while yet, I've got a 6m old ready to wean, vet told me to leave him another 2 months before gelding (he has two but not fully descended yet) he's hopefully going a live out with another colt, same age same condition for a while..
Sorry it's not good news but if you're going to buy him he needs to go on youngstock livery and live out in a herd for a year at least.(just my opinion )

 

[milliepops]

If this is the case, I think your set up would be better suited to 2/3 year old rather than a weanling.

Agree with this, it seems like you're not really setting either of you up to succeed here ? OP. a slightly older, more handled and worldly pony would fit in better.

 

[I'm Dun]

If this is the case, I think your set up would be better suited to 2/3 year old rather than a weanling.

You know my thoughts, I think a 2 or 3yr old would be a better option all round, and much more fun. Foals are cute but very boring once the novelty wears off, its a long time till you can do anything ridden wise with them, and this whole situation has gotten off on the wrong foot with your very domineering yard owner who you are a saint to put up with!