Yearling help

Baldybear

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Joined
17 March 2005
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285
Location
Surrey
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Hello,

Have recently taken on a yearling, no experience with youngsters before. She is very unhandled so taking it very slowly.

After a traumatic move last friday she has settled into the new yard, She has settled into a stable at night, very clean stable this morning, have weaving grill up at door, haynet, likit block and play/food ball at night and is happy. She seems very settled now in the field too, she is in with a 4 year old (who is going on 20!) and a 20ish year old, both mares. She is the bottom of the pecking order but not bullied just told to go away and goes away quite happily and settles very quickly. She gets a wee bit upset if on her own on yard but she is getting better each day.

She has headcollar on and practising putting another one on and off over the top to get used to this. She will also be brushed on neck and top of her body. She is also learning to walk beside us, to stand still while we shut gates etc before let her go in field, and stepping back a step to put feed in stable in the morning and evening.

Doing a few things each day so yesterday OH held her and I brushed her very gentle just going a bit further each day, e.g. down legs, tummy, she doesnt kick out just lifts back feet to tummy as she isnt sure what we are doing.

Just wanted to ask if this is the sort of thing to be doing with her, is there anything else that is good for me to be doing, any advice welcome. Thanks :D
 
absolutely perfect :-) just make sure you dont do too much once she starts to get used to things and overload her wee brain - well done tho sounds good
 
Yup! Be consistent. After you have taught something, reinforce it. My baby (homebred, now three) knows exactly when I'm distracted and when to over step the Mark- I have to be totally consistent or he sneaks one past me :D

A 'telling off' is sending him out of my space- he's had a few smacks- if he's totally out of order and fully aware that he is, but usually he knows if I stamp my foot to get out of my space and will stay out until he apologises (soft eye, lick and chew) am then he's let back in. Each to their own with discipline but it's worked for me and him- a 12 year old handles him for me on the yard sometimes- he's three and full up 15.2 at the moment!! :D
 
Sounds brilliant - well done.

The only thing I would change is to actually remove her headcollar, rather than putting one on and off over the top.

She doesn't need one on in the stable (can be dangerous) although appreciate why at this stage you'd like to leave it on in the field.
 
Hi there! I have also recently taken on a yearling, never handler a youngster before! but the previous owner is experienced and is helping me.

Sounds like your doing a great job, this is what I do on a daily basis as she has been handled since birth: Tie up, groom, pick feet up, again she has had feet picked up since very early on so its just a case of me continuing this. She had her first hoof trim today and was good as gold. I also lead her around her paddock and back her up. I also put 'spooky' things in her paddock and walk her around and over them such as taurpaulin etc. I've rubbed a carrier bag over her body and just trying to bombproof her by doing things like this. She's always at the gate when I arrive so hasnt tested me in catching her yet, I also just go in her field and make a fuss of her, brush her at random so I'm not always going in there to 'catch her' as such.

Nice and slowely is key, building up trust, keep 'training' fun and for not too long, i.e 15 mins.

Very exciting isnt it!! x
 
Sounds like you're doing a great job!

I saw a really clever thing on HorseHero the other day, using an electric toothbrush on youngsters - holding it by their neck and stroking them with it, it get them used to clippers! I'd never thought of that before, I thought it was genius!
 
Sounds like you're doing a great job!

I saw a really clever thing on HorseHero the other day, using an electric toothbrush on youngsters - holding it by their neck and stroking them with it, it get them used to clippers! I'd never thought of that before, I thought it was genius!

That's brilliant - I think that could work for more than just youngsters! Sometimes I'm reminded how useful this forum can be :)
 
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