Young horses

[JBM]

I’ve had my eye on a 10 month old colt.
My question is I have one year left of college so was thinking of buying him and leaving him mostly alone for a year? He catches, leads and stands well and would do small things with him on the weekend but wondering would a horse that young need more time or be happy enough being left to his own devices til he’s 2

 

[ihatework]

At that age, once they have the basic handling installed, they are imo better left alone for a couple of years - provided they are out in age appropriate herd

 

[JBM]

At that age, once they have the basic handling installed, they are imo better left alone for a couple of years - provided they are out in age appropriate herd

I have a 21 year old ?

 

[ihatework]

I have a 21 year old ?

Then no, it’s not a good idea

 

[JBM]

Then no, it’s not a good idea

Is it that they learn manners off each other?

 

[Starzaan]

Only if you can provide an age appropriate herd. He needs to be turned away with a herd of youngsters to learn manners and proper horse behaviour.
Also, if you haven’t ever brought on a youngster, it’s a huge undertaking and absolutely not for the faint hearted. You would need a lot of very experienced support.

 

[JBM]

Interesting I though an older horse would’ve put manners on a young horse?

 

[Starzaan]

Interesting I though an older horse would’ve put manners on a young horse?

An older horse can end up getting bullied by a younger horse, but also won’t want to play as much as a herd of young horses need to.
You will end up with a rude youngster and potentially a stressed 21yr old.

 

[JBM]

An older horse can end up getting bullied by a younger horse, but also won’t want to play as much as a herd of young horses need to.
You will end up with a rude youngster and potentially a stressed 21yr old.

I was told he gets on well with current owners old grumpy lady which sounds like my girl but I may have to rethink the situation then ?

 

[BeansNsausages]

I kept a youngster with just a horse in his 20's when I was young. When he was first introduced to living in a small herd, he really struggled to find his place and was a complete thug for a while.

All of the youngsters which I have kept out with other youngsters have been nicely socialised creatures.

They need friends a similar age to play with anyway.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

I would be more concerned about him being a colt. Even once gelded, he could still remain fertile for several months, so turning him out with your mare would be risky. If you really are set on him, why not look into finding youngstock livery for whilst you are still at college?

 

[HeyMich]

Why don't you put the colt out at youngstock livery, somewhere where he can be with others his own age. Then, when he's 3/4 and ready to work with, bring it home to be with your oldie. We have a rising 4 yr old out with 2 older horses at the moment and they get along just fine, but she did learn herd dynamics/manners etc from a young herd before she came here.

 

[JBM]

Not sure we have much youngstock livery in ireland but I can give it a look!

 

[Gloi]

Not sure we have much youngstock livery in ireland but I can give it a look!

Have a look round studs, they often have a young stock herd.

 

[HeyMich]

Have a look round studs, they often have a young stock herd.

Yeah, I was going to say look at local stud farms.

 

[Rowreach]

Not sure we have much youngstock livery in ireland but I can give it a look!

Honestly, if you're going to buy a youngster and have it at livery and not do a lot with it, you might be better saving all that money until you are ready to buy, say, a nice four year old that you can actually work with.

I've bred plenty and bought several other youngsters to bring on, and even if you are not actively working with them it's the being in control of the management of them and watching them develop that is the fun and most important part.

 

[JBM]

Honestly, if you're going to buy a youngster and have it at livery and not do a lot with it, you might be better saving all that money until you are ready to buy, say, a nice four year old that you can actually work with.

I've bred plenty and bought several other youngsters to bring on, and even if you are not actively working with them it's the being in control of the management of them and watching them develop that is the fun and most important part.

Okie thank you