Would you buy an unhandled youngster?

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fools_ gold

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I am going to look at a few youngsters with a view to buying one or two, the only thing putting me off is they are virtually unhandled. While they have the benefit of being a blank canvas, I don't actually have any hands on experience with unhandled horses and worry that I would be taking on more than I can handle. I should add that I have about 25 years experience with horses, I have backed, owned and ridden lots of youngsters BUT never an unhandled one. I should also add that I have plenty of time and realise the amount of effort I would have to put in. So I am looking for your experiences, has anyone with similar experience done this, what did you learn, was it good/ bad etc???
 
Yes I have and I would again :) I have experience with unhandled horses though, Im not sure I would if I didnt without suitable support available.
 
Yes, without a doubt. We bought 3 foals and the one that was the easiest was the unhandled one, as he had no experience of people to go one. One of the others had been badly handled, was terrible with his head, hes 2yr old now & still not fantastic & has his off days.
 
Depends

I don't handle mine but I can halter and lead them all (just) except for this year's foal as I had two this year and clearly didn't have time for the younger one (my fault). Way I see it you are going to get a lot more horse for your money this way. Temprement is also a factor here. Last year's foal is so bold that she practically stuck her head in the halter before she could walk but with others its a complete pain. As my vet says (and he doesn't handle his either) it does make it harder when they are bigger. You'll be able to see though when you view. Why not look for a really calm one and learn from that first?
 
I wouldn't no, because I wouldn't have the facillities to keep them (other than livery).

But if you have your own set up, and you certainly sound experienced, I'd be tempted.
 
IMO as long as you are able to assess temperament and go for a foal that's calm rather than bold and in your face already having an unhandled youngster is normally much better.
 
My two youngsters weren't just unhandled they were semi ferals and they are now both amazing ponies, they come to call, can have their feet picked out in the middle of the field with no head collars on and the older one was lightly backed over the summer.
If you decide to get one I recommend Sarah Westons book 'No Fear, No Force' it helped me greatly with mine.
 
Freddie was as wild as a wild thing! Took 3 mths of slowly slowly to get a headcollar on him,then he tamed very easily, he is so mannerly now :-) So yes, and he was my first youngster! They are a blank canvas and we taught him from the word go that we have an invisible hoop around us, and he's not allowed in this space, he is so good, so as long as you teach them how you want them to behave it's great, blank canvas, unspoilt by anyone! Freddie taught us everything we know and the one rule he taught us and I will pass on to you is:-
Never try to trick them, there is no shortcut whatsoever to getting a halter on them, a rope and time and patience and knowing when to stop is all you need! X
 
Great replies so far, thanks.
I have spent lots of hours trying to undo bad handling/ riding with several of my horses and I think a blank canvas would be an amazing experience (hopefully). I'm in a position where I have lots of time on my hands and need a new challenge.
Would anyone recommend doing some reading on the subject?
 
fools_ gold said:
Just seen your book recommendation thanks Spirtedly.
Great advice Devonshire Dumpling thanks!
Click to expand...

We went in with Freds, spent the time with him, nearly got a headcollar on, great, next day went in boldly and tried to get a headcollar on and he woldn't let us near him for weeks! Also if you get near their right hand side, don't expect them to let you touch their left hand side! Their sides are like two different horses! Freddie was quite hard as he was running with 3 other babies, so if they buggered off, he went with them! We finally sussed him in the end, with a length of rope, and he let us rub him with it, then rub his mane with it, then pull it up towards his ears, then wrap it around his nose, so made a home made halter, this took weeks, but eventually we could easily put a rope halter on him and walk a few paces, took another month to get a headcollar on over the rope halter, we have such a strong bond with him now, you are going to love it! We used to give him an extra strong mint if he allowed the rope on his neck, but wouldn't give him one if he moved.

XX
 
Yep. Got my lad as a rising 2 year old unhandled last year, done all the work with him myself and it feels so rewarding.

But, we have about 20 odd youngstock in at work daily so halter breaking and babies don't really bother me too much, as I know how quick the majority come round. Granted, you get a few, like any horses, which take more time if they're naturally a little sharper. [Scar to prove that little nugget of info :o ]

But, overall, it wouldn't bother me :)

This is my little baby coblet lad, 6 months after getting him :)
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=566538
 
We had four unhandled ranging between 3 & 8yo.

All little stars. One nightmare due to circumstances. But brilliant to start and had we been a different time, different place she'd be backed by now.

It's very rewarding, harder work as they're in a far bigger body learning the basics! I wouldn't do it on a livery yard again (first one and interference has made my work with her incredibly difficult, 3 weeks of it has set me back almost 2 years). In my own time/space/land the others are brilliant.

Spend time getting the bond and make sure that you don't expect too much of them simply as they are bigger and look like they should know, easy to slip into sometimes.

Don't do gently gently too much either. I found that lobbing rugs on horses next to them daily, smacking the gate shut, feeding off tractors with engines going etc has been a god send when trying to lead a fully grown horse for the first time. Something clangs and it's not the end of the world :)

Pan
 
Yep, I bought an unhandled 16.1hh 3yo. He's now a lovely well mannered 17hh 4yo :D. I backed him myself this summer, and had no issues at all. Would def do it again.
 
Yes but I did have the experience with unhandled youngsters. Plus although on diy, its a quiet farm with a fixed herd with playmates & I have the 'nanny mare' who's influence has been a major factor. Others in the past I've assisted with there's always been a nanny mare & playmates for, which I think is vital.
 
Pan I agree with the noise etc, also when Freds on inhand hacks I throw stones in the woods, he jumped at first and now he's so desensitised to noise and bangs x
 
I did with The Tank.

When I got him aged two, he'd been gelded a week before and had lived feral with a herd in the farmer's 60 acres.

They'd spent days trying to catch him and bully him in the trailer to transport to me :eek:.

I spent lots of time with him and just took things slow.

Alongside traditional views, I also found the Kelly Mark's Perfect Manners book helped me to look outside the box.

The Tank couldn't lead at first. It would take us ages to get anywhere :o At 15.3hh and solid - he could overpower me easily. Her tips of moving sideways really made a difference :D.

I like that she looks for less physical methods as, if you showed any aggression to The Tank at all, he would freak out and go through you like a bowling ball :eek:
 
fools_ gold said:
Great replies so far, thanks.
I have spent lots of hours trying to undo bad handling/ riding with several of my horses and I think a blank canvas would be an amazing experience (hopefully). I'm in a position where I have lots of time on my hands and need a new challenge.
Would anyone recommend doing some reading on the subject?
Click to expand...

This is it. An unhandled youngster is much easier than undoing someone elses mistakes. We have had three unhandled and each was a dream after they became accustomed to us. The key is time, and since you say you have plenty of that at the moment then I wouldn't hesitate.
 
I would and have had an unhandled youngster (well still have him he's 16months now). I would do it again in a heartbeat. It is the most rewarding thing I have done with horses and me and my gelding have the best relationship that we could have. I second the recommendation of Sarah Westons no fear no force. In fact if it wasn't for Sarah I wouldn't have my boy at all (I went on her semi feral foal handling course last year and brought him home afterwards).
 
Wow great responses, thank you all for your comments!

Christmassparkles, love those photos, so CUTE!

Feeling a bit inspired now, I suppose they are just like any other horse, win their trust, build a bond and in terms of training, firm, fair and consistent with a lot of patience - Same principles as you use for all training!?

Going to see some tonight. I think I will find it easier when I have seen them in the flesh to decide if it's the right choice.

Can't remember who asked but we have our own place with 12 acres and only my two geldings at the moment so plenty of room for a couple more :) To make things even better hubby thinks it's a brilliant idea and really wants me to get 'one of those cowboy horses' he means piebald/ skewbald :)

Again thanks for all your comments... It's so helpful to hear about other peoples experiences.
 
Yes mine came off the fells UNtouched. Easiest horse yet 4months later as a yearling you can groom, tie up , feet, take on walks, rug walk over spooky stuff go to a show . You just have to make every memory a nice one and take it slow let them accept everything at their own pace never push them too hard when they have had enough leave it . Worked amazing with my boy
 
Forgot to add, agree with the comments about not pussy footing around them. I make a point of our horses seeing and hearing 'scary' things. They are completely un-fussed about chain saws, flail mowers, car horns beeping, plastic bags, combine harvesters etc etc
Like the idea of throwing stones to make noise when going for a wonder, I might try that with my big wimpy warmblood, he is getting better - he goes to say hello to the combine harvester now, but still has the occasional melt down.
 
I bought my first arab as an unhalter broken rising 5 year old. She was wearinga headcollar and that was it! I spent 6weeks driving to her breeder to handleher before I picked her up, and she has been my dream horse. I would do it again, and much prefer buying them untouched now, especially as I have been bitten by a few that people have tried, and failed, to start. Good luck, they are hard work, but very rewarding.
 
We brought a practically unhandled filly that had been dumped in a cow shed about 2 years ago, took us a week of her been stabled before we gained her trust but within two weeks she would come to call. We ended up selling her to a friend after a couple of months.


Then in January I brought an unhandled 5 month old cob filly off another filly. Within a week she was handable, you could catch her in a massive field even in company, walk her out on the lane, tie her up, stable her etc. She's now 15 months old and has been to a couple of shows, has been bathed, walked out in traffic, stables overnight on her own and in company, ties on the yard etc.

I think having an unhandled youngster is the most rewarding and you also have a blank canvas to work wtih
 
When I was 15 me and a friend bought two foresters from auction. Taught me time and patience but turned into brilliant pints again. Was very tempted by a welsh a while back but don't have facilities now. I would say you need to be able to have a largish stable and be able to section of part of a field at least.
 
Yes, most definintly. In fact I think i'd prefer unhandlder to 'well handled'! They generally turn into a much nice, more polite, sensitive horse.

This is what Roo looked like when he arrived:

425682_10151358218690437_900354137_n.jpg


15.2 ish 2yrs old. Halter broken (tied to a wall and left) and dragged about a bit on the leadrope.Very very nervous and done nothing else. Took 2days to catch him and 6weeks of intensive handling until he was acceptabley 'handled'

Your handling and timing needs to be GOOD and confident but it's not rocket science. You need suitable facilities initially (a stable or a small paddock) and able to put a good few weeks of intensive handling in. After that they don't really need much different from a 'normal' youngster.

They quickly turn into this:

539999_10151748621725437_148258452_n.jpg
 
Kallibear what a transformation, he looks stunning. Glad he's in good hands now :)

Went to see them this evening and really pleasantly surprised. They obviously have had nothing done with them. But they were respectful and chilled which is a good sign.

The one I had my eye on had a deposit paid on him earlier in the day which was annoying, but there were two others which were exactly my type. Think I might take the plunge.

I have the land and the facilities, also have expert support there if I need it.
 
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