Would you buy an unhandled youngster?

Read the thread 'My next equine project' that details the trials and tribulations of a feral youngster.

Tomorrow is a big day for him, hinds to be trimmed, could be interesting.
 
Do it, do it! So so rewarding and satisfying! I bred my first 2 last year (both colts), one handled from birth, the other born out on the forest so wild, scared and unwilling to drop his guard when weaning came. But we got there in the end with him. Then I bought 2 filly foals from the sales, and started all over again! I had them paired up in the stables at first, headcollars on at all times, and each morning they had to be led a few steps to get to the grass. Amazing how quickly they understood the lessons and what was expected of them. I would never ever have believed how much pride and pleasure we would get from those 4 little "scraps" and how different their characters would be. They were an absolute pleasure to have around. My difficult colt (now gelded), well he is still a bit funny scared sometimes, and only lets me and one of my daughters catch him and take off his rug, but he doesn't have to wear a headcollar all the time now and just gets better and better. I can't wait to do it all over again, I'm hoping for another foal next year from my forest run mare, but also planning to get my "stud" mare in foal again.

Surely you would need a couple of them though, to keep each other company?
 
Sam was unhandled when I got him! he was lead from field to field a couple of times by his breeder but that was it! and he's an angel! we've had our ups and downs but mainly because he's young friend was left and he didn't have a play mate, so tried to use me as one! but now we are passed that, I think I've been really lucky! he's taken every time in his stride and because he was unhandled seems to trust me completely!
 
Go for it ! I bought two unhandled 4 year olds earlier this year, one has just gone out on lwvtb as is just the most loveable boy, both are very very trusting and honest, I would highly recommend them
 
mine is two - and she was unhandled virually - literally just would accept a headcollar but thats about it!

didnt know how to lead (i dragged her out the horsebox and pushed her up the field on day 1)!


I regret buying her so "old" - should have stuck to my guns and got something younger (weaning) as shes very opininated - as im asking her to do stuff shes saying"no"...

shes not nasty or horrible (i do refer to her as horrible!) shes just needs time :) !

so yes i would do it again - but definately 6 months old....!....
 
Yes!!! I just convinced my friend she should have an unhandled newly gelded 6 yr old as her next project......4 weeks in and he is an absolute delight.
 
I felt very privileged to have witnessed part of the Dallas roundup of semi feral ponies by the WHW earlier this year. There were 90 ponies on 2,000 acres which the owner, due to ill health, realised he was no longer able to manage properly.

I got chatting to a girl there and mentioned that anyone getting one of the ponies would have a hard task on their hands. She replied that they were not that bad as she'd got a castrated weaned colt foal and had him leading, being groomed, having his feet lifted, and tolerating every day activities on the farm within a week. Then she spoilt it all by adding, "...but I did move into the stable!":D:D:D
 
We have had 3 unhandled horses, it was good fun. Very rewarding showing them how to do new things and seeing the reactions you get. I would love another but dont have room now.
 
Good news... I have ended up with THREE :eek: unhandled youngsters...

All settled in well today and looked very pleased with their new fields. My two geldings were more excited than they were though, all they did was put their heads straight down to eat despite G prancing about like the big ponce he is. I suspect he might have been trying to show me that he is still the most beautiful horse on the farm. He is so used to being adored by everyone, it's totally gone to his head :)

So we now have...

1. Very pretty bay/ black Filly, yearling, WB x - who is the boldest of the three

2. Dark grey two year old filly, WB x - OH thinks she looks like a witch :( But I think she looks exotic... Like maybe she has some Friesian or something in her

3. I guess you would describe his colour as blue and white, 2 year old, WB x colt - to be gelded asap

As yet I still need to come up with some stable names for them, I am terrible at coming up with names, so god knows what the poor souls are going to end up being called :)

So better get to bed and get some rest as I officially have my hands full. But they should help to keep me out of trouble over winter :)
 
Yes...from experience, unhandled are far often nicer than those that have been from birth, and are horribly ignorant. Go for it!
 
My now two year old was born, completely feral and was left that way until she was four months. I've known her since she was very young and she has the most amazing temperament 99% of the time. I bought her at 11 months old and she's never once said no. She's very brave and bold but very loving at the same time. Having said that, a girl who keeps her horse on the same field as mine are on is currently having trouble with her 6 month old foal. He is unhandled to some extent, but she did do some work with him when she first got him and although she could catch him she can't do so now (it's a 40 acre field). He doesn't actually let anyone near him so she's having real trouble. She's hoping to hit the nail on the head though, as he's going to be a VERY big boy (he is currently 15hh at 6 months old, and his full brother recently made 19.2!!!)
 
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Knowing myself and my shortcomings as a horse handler I personally would not, but I think if you've got the right experience and knowledge then sure, why not?
 
None of my foals are handled until weaning. The one that was handled from day one was a horror to teach to head collar, lead, etc.!

It certainly helps if you have the set up and equipment, i.e. somewhere to put them inside, but I really don't see much advantage to early handling, so what we are working with are basically "unhandled", but reasonably tame, youngsters. The foals are about four months old now, still with their mothers, but we've only just reached the finger on nose stage! I can't imagine they'll be any more trouble than the last lot. It just takes time and patience, but the rewards are huge and you get a nice, respectful, friendly youngster at the end of it which you know has not been messed up by someone else.
 
dressedkez said:
Yes...from experience, unhandled are far often nicer than those that have been from birth, and are horribly ignorant. Go for it!
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Agree with this. Over handled, babied foals are the ones that tend to grow into ignorant, often nasty morons.

Un handled foals - 2yo will come to very quickly

3 - 5 will take a while longer and of course will be very big and strong, even pony breeds. They still come right easy enough though.

Older than 5 is a rather more serious undertaking, still perfectly do-able but I'd advise getting a younger one if it your first 'wildy'

Good luck, starting one from scratch like this really is so, so rewarding.
 
fools_ gold said:
Good news... I have ended up with THREE :eek: unhandled youngsters...

All settled in well today and looked very pleased with their new fields. My two geldings were more excited than they were though, all they did was put their heads straight down to eat despite G prancing about like the big ponce he is. I suspect he might have been trying to show me that he is still the most beautiful horse on the farm. He is so used to being adored by everyone, it's totally gone to his head :)

So we now have...

1. Very pretty bay/ black Filly, yearling, WB x - who is the boldest of the three

2. Dark grey two year old filly, WB x - OH thinks she looks like a witch :( But I think she looks exotic... Like maybe she has some Friesian or something in her

3. I guess you would describe his colour as blue and white, 2 year old, WB x colt - to be gelded asap

As yet I still need to come up with some stable names for them, I am terrible at coming up with names, so god knows what the poor souls are going to end up being called :)

So better get to bed and get some rest as I officially have my hands full. But they should help to keep me out of trouble over winter :)
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:eek: Three. You much be a glutton to punishment?!

It sounds like you've turned them out as a group? I wouldn't be turning out unhandled babies with other horses if you're wanting to 'tame' them. They really need to live on their own for a little bit, ideally inside, to get them used to people. It is possible when they live out with others but MUCH harder. You make the most of their boredum and lonlieness to make friends! (sounds mean but it's rarely for more than a couple of weeks. Roo was desperate to be my friend within a week because he was lonely :o. When they live out with others they don't 'need' humans and all you can rely on it their innate curiousness (althoguh that's why babies are always easier than older horses).
 
Kallibear, yes think I must be :)

I've turned them out in small paddocks, colt in one, fillies in another, next to each other and away from my two geldings till I can be sure they don't have anything nasty they could pass on. My stables are currently under construction so didn't really have a choice :(
They have already started to get used to me though, and are letting me get closer. The youngest filly is really brave, she's been trotting over to meet me at the fence with a little whinny every time I go down there. Which is making the other two very curious.
I will bring them up closer to the house once they are out of quarantine. Which should help. Also once the stables are done I'll have a big enough enclosed yard area to bring them onto so they can get used to all the goings on etc
Hopefully the stables and yard should be done within the next couple of days :)
 
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