Young Filly - Advice Sought

[happyhoof75]

Hi all
I have had a filly who is 18 - 24 months approx. I don't know an awful lot about her history. However, I know that for the 6-8 weeks prior to me buying her she was in a very muddy field with small quantities of what looked like very poor quality hay.
She has had an initial check over by vet and I will be working with a trainer to develop a plan for the next few months(basic handling only). When I saw her prior to purchase, I saw her with headcollar on, being led, feet picked up.

Meantime, I was keen to get feedback on the following:
1. I have Sarah Westons book "No Fear, No Force". All makes sense to me however, for the first few months she will be in a field, living out 24/7 with other older horses. How can I adapt some of the guidance and make it safe to work in field? The other horses don't bother us and field is huge so they are no where near us.
2. I have not tried to get headcollar on yet. I have brought it out when I am with her and the ears go back right away. I have just let her sniff it and placed it over the fence post. I didn't actually see previous owner put headcollar on so not sure if he was rough with her. Any tips?
3. How long have I got until feet trimming will become critical? Obviously, this would be a challenge at the moment.
4. What's everyone's views on Farriers Mix(herbs)?
5. I have to feed her at field at the moment, always making sure she is away from the other horses. She kicks the bucket when its nearly finished and today, when I was holding the bucket, she used her nose, forcefully, to try to cover me with feed!!! Is this sign of food aggression or being playful? Should I move away and leave her to eat in peace?
6. Its very cold at the moment and been blowing a hooly - how sensitive are youngsters to these conditions? Could cold/wind be making her a bit more flighty than normal?

She comes to the gate when I call her, which is positive but feel we have an awful lot of work to do to get the basic handling done. And, it feels pretty challenging to do this in a field!!!!

Thanks

 

[be positive]

Starting with 6 because it is relevant, they are reactive to weather conditions and that combined with the new surroundings can make even the older ones behave out of character.
5 Leave her in peace to eat, trying to throw feed over you is probably frustration at not being allowed to eat as she wants, it is not a sign of feed aggression but if she is not allowed to eat how she wants you could cause it, does she actually need hard feed as it is obviously not easy to feed one in a field with others and may be more of an issue if they start to take an interest in it.
4 never heard of it
3 Ideally they would be done every 6-8 weeks but until you can catch her and handle them you have little choice.
2 Her ears going back may be a sign of interest, slight suspicion but not something to overthink, I would be a bit more proactive and use a rope to rub her over and see how she is with that before trying a headcollar, you have seen that she has been handled so try not to baby her too much, she obviously enjoys seeing you and the feed each day so take advantage and make some progress every day she should soon accept being caught, having the headcollar on and then you can crack on with getting her feet done, it will all be so much easier once you can bring her into a dry area.

 

[happyhoof75]

Thanks.