When to start basic training with my new gelding & questions

[MishaKing]

Hi
I have a 7 month gelding and he is my first youngster I have had, needed a few questions answered for me.
1. When can I start basic ground work with him, e.g. lunging
2. What age do they have there first jabs and first set of shoes?
Need a little help! Thankyou x

 

[be positive]

1 when he is strong enough probably at 4 years old, until then just basic handling, teaching him his manners and some walking in hand.
2 he should have had his first tetanus jabs done by now as he is seriously at risk if not started early, the flu can be done at the same time, get onto your vet straight away.

Are you seriously asking when he needs shoes, he needs his feet trimming regularly and that should have been started by now, he will not need shoes until he is in full work and even then may not need doing, most of mine don't get shod until they need studs for competing.

 

[catroo]

These questions are a little bit concerning, a minimal amount of research before buying a youngster would have covered basic things like this.

As above, he might never need shoes and you won't need to worry about it for a few years yet. Regular trims over the next three years will be fine.

Jabs should have already been started, if not then asap.

No lunging until aged 3-4, even then I like long reining more than lunging as lunging is quite stressfull on the joints. Basic handling and maybe the odd inhand show, other than that he should be turned out with other youngsters and allowed to grow and mature in his own time.

 

[spacefaer]

Hi - in your original post, you said you were getting a 6 month old colt in October, but now you have a 7 month old gelding? And you said you had lots of experience with horses.... I am slightly bemused

Happy to help if you are genuinely enquiring but you seem to be contradicting yourself a little

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

[popcorn] [troll alert]

 

[maximoo]

Jabs should be started by now basic handling ,brushing,feet handle everyday never to young to start we normally start walking out on roads bridle paths to get use to different environments & variety I think never too early to start or you could end up with a bolchy youngster also turned with others horses for chill time & to be a horse

 

[MishaKing]

I was doing it for future reference, i havent got him yet, i do have expierence but this is my first horse i have brought, all previous horses i have had the owners dealt with the jabs i know horses are meant to have their feet trimmed every 6 weeks, i know there jabs are meant to be yearly and i know about worm counts but like i said this is my first youngster, i can understand your concern and dont tend to come across like i dont know nothing but simple little questions as he is a foal his jabs are different wasnt 100 % sure about trimming if his feet grow faster and they need to be trimmee every 4 weeks and the lunging part i wasnt to sure but just asking as i know it can damaged his bones are they are soft as he is growing and wanted to know what age, i thought this was meant to be a horse forum not where i get slandered for everything we all have to starr from somewhere right? So please dont hate on me im sorry for the confusing i just thought id post instead of me doing later when i get him and making a mistake.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I really think you would be better getting an easier project, buying a foal it is not a cheap option, and it is a risky option, and you may end up with a horse that is not suitable for your level/aspirations.
A youngster is best kept in a herd situation with others, including others of his own age.
You really don't have the basics yet, you need to think this through, maybe find a stud or a yard which is willing to help you learn a bit more.
For one thing, I prefer to keep a youngster with its dam for at least seven months, and I would not expect to geld anything at six months, its just not practical or indeed possible.
The Dick Vet does online courses in horse management, maybe try to do something like that first.

 

[Shay]

Ditto Bonkers. A younger is not a good starting project. Whilst I understand the desire to have something that is wholly and completely yours from babyhood upward you also have a massive gamble that it will grow up to be able to do what you want it to do. This isn't something you can do at home - ideally you'll need specialist young stock livery so it can grow in a herd and learn to be a horse for a couple of years at least. And quite possibly breaking livery if you send it away to be backed initially. It will cost you just as much in feed, care, livery etc as any other horse and you'll not even be able to sit on it for at least 3 more years, possibly 4 depending on breed. Then you won't be doing much with it as you broaden its education probably for another 3 years. I do understand that bringing on a youngster has its own reward and I have masses of admiration for those who breed and produce homebreds. Its a wonderful long term - if not in fact life long -project.

But it is not the best place to start your first foray into owning your own.