Weanling care

[Jojojellyfish]

Hi all, we are picking up two weanlings in early December. We are currently in the process of sprucing up our fields, yard and stables in preparation for there arrival and doing a spot of "baby proofing". It's a long time (8 years) since we have had any youngsters at home and I know that guidelines have moved on quite alot.
I'm after some advice on weanling worming programs, when you got your farrier out for the first time, weanling nutrition and whether it's worth doing the weekly measurements of the horses and working out there feed allocations? what concentrate/ballancer you fed? Is hay or haylage preferred?
We are also trying to get a list together of things that we will need such as, field safe headcollers, quick release safety ropes and such things.
All advice, hints and tips welcome 😁
We will be travelling approximately 8hrs to go and pick them up so if anyone has any advice on travelling them that would also be massively appreciated. How often would you stop for a break. What type of wagon would you recommend?
We have two other mature horses at home atm. And the weanlings are WPB and a full Welsh section D.

Thanks in advance 😀

 

[ihatework]

Worming will depend on what they & their dams have already had, so I'd say get that history and then ask your vet for a program from there.

Feet, again you might hope they have already seen a farrier by now! If not then I'd have a farrier booked for soon after arrival and follow their advice on frequency of trimming. For example, mine was done every 4 weeks but only because one limb needed a regular mild correction applied. The other weanlings were done every 8 weeks.
Travelling - have them together, loose and without anything on them at all. Partitions out, floor bedded and any jockey doors/windows etc well secured. I wouldn't stop for a break.
Food wise - adlib hay or haylage is fine with a youngstock balancer if required. It would be a good idea to ask the breeders to introduce the balancer prior to weaning so their tummies are used to it.

I would be inclined to keep the weanlings in for a few days (together) on arrival just to handle them and get them used to you. How long for depends on how ferel they are!