Working a yearling

K

Knockadoon

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 October 2015
Messages
82
Visit site
Hi, I have a rising two pony with locking stifles. Someone I regard as pretty knowledgeable (local hunt master) has suggested I give her a bit of exercise to help build up her back end, maybe over a very small jump. He did say to do only a small amount. I'm just wondering what other people think? I don't have an equine vet near me, my dogs vet was at a bit of a loss as to what locking stifles were.
 
I would prefer to let it exercise itself as much as possible, ideally turned out with others in a big field with hills or undulations so the muscles build up naturally, maybe some walking in hand but jumping even small jumps could impact in other ways and is not guaranteed to help with muscle building, they often grow out of it once the mature so time is probably the main requirement.
 
No - I personally would not do any exercise, especially jumping, with a yearling; there is too much developing at that age to put it at risk. I personally dont know if jumping is supposed to help locking stifles or not, but I'd say if you start exercising a yearling you are likely to create more problems than you solve and there wouldnt be any guarantees it will fix the locking stifles anyway.

As Be Postitive said, the best thing for young horses is turnout. When I bought my yearling, I turned him out for a full year on good grass (he was out 24/7 even through the winter), the fields were undulating and he moved fields a couple of times, some of which were on a hill. After having him out for a year it was amazing how much he had muscled up, especially in his back end - he's got a fantastic back end now with great hind leg action, and I firmly believe that whilst his breeding has played a part in that, the 24/7 turn out is what has given him the strength and muscle.

Turn out ideally with an older horse to keep the pony in check, but also with another young horse (or more playful horse) who the pony can have some fun with - running around playing again is great natural exercise for them.

You will also need to find an equine vet at some point, with young horses it is VERY important you keep them up to date with their vaccinations and worming programme, their immune systems are still growing and I found with my youngster he is prone to getting a bit ill/run down very easily despite having him up to date with vaccs and worming. So please find a vet soon, yes you will have to pay extra perhaps for them to visit you (most vets do travel a long way but will of course increase the call out charge the further away you are from the practice) but it will be the most important thing to ensure this pony has a chance at a good future.

FYI as a rising 2 year old the pony should have already been vaccinated so you need to check this on the passport - with youngsters there is a strict schedule you need to follow for vaccs otherwise you need to start the process again; first jabs are followed by second jabs 90 days later, 3rd jabs 6 months later then 4th jabs 1 year later. Then you can keep vaccinating annually as you would an adult horse. If any of these have been missed you need to go back to the first set of jabs and start from scratch.
 
Thanks everyone. I have an equine vet lined up and her vaccinations are all up to date. I recently moved to the area. I think I might turn her out fully soon. She's in at the moment at night as our fields flooded very badly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top