Youngsters

T

Two welsh A’s

Member
Joined
19 March 2025
Messages
11
Visit site
I have two youngsters, I’ve had them just under a month. They’re colts not stabled they have a field, one of them is really shy won’t let us near him he was starting to come round but has gona backwards again and doesn’t want to come near us. The other will let us stroke his face and neck but I can’t get his head collar on. They’re starting to become very pushy and don’t know boundaries when it comes to food which is what I was using to get them to come near us but we’ve just back tracked now any tips or advice
 
Gloi said:
It's the perfect time of year to have them gelded.
See if you can set up a pen that you can entice them into then you have a better chance of being able to handle them.
Click to expand...
Yeah we are looking for a vets now to have them gelded before the flys hit. But most aren’t taking on new patients for our area, I’m going to try setting up a pen I. The field but the only problem is the field isn’t flat it’s on quite a hill
 
Two welsh As forgive me if I’m wide of the mark but are these your first youngsters or even first ponies? Owning and training youngsters is quite a commitment and you could really use some experienced guidance if you haven’t done it before.
Invest in leather headcollars to leave on them, the pen doesn’t have to be huge construct it near the gate and put water and food there so they go in and out willingly. Only when they are relaxed close off th3 pen. Take chairs and sit in there so they get used to you. Poo pick your field around them.
I’ve never heard of vets unwilling to take on new clients (unless they ve heard about non payers, but even then they took the client on with a £200 fee lodged upfront).
Honestly I feel you need a person on the ground with you on a regular basis so you can have them gelded soon, entire males will make your life much harder.
 
loaned horses previously not owned but never youngsters, and the vets just said they’re trying to reduce the amount of horse clients there taking on at the moment so not sure about that one. The vets around us is usually pay for treatment upfront unless your a long term client anyways so don’t know why that would make an issue. There’s two of us with them at all times and they are comfortable with us being in the field pottering around and they do come up to us but are reluctant to allow us to touch them. One Will and he will let you stroke his head and neck the other is very shy and sometimes will let you stroke his face but other times just stamps his feet at you and runs away. I’m looking into getting a trainer to come in and give some lessons and advice on how to work with them at the minute
 
You wont want to hear this, but this is an absolute recipe for disaster. The money it will cost you to keep these youngsters until they are established lead rein ponies will far out weigh the cost of buying one now ready to go. The amount of training you are going to need to pay for is going to be extortionate. And even then they may well not do the job you have bought them for. This is not a cheap way to do this, and the potential for a child being hurt is enormous.

You really need an older horse out with them to keep them in line and teach them to be horses in a herd setting. They are going to become incredibly attached to each other and impossible for you to split them up.

Have you got a way to restrict the grazing safely? Have you got a stable for emergencies? Lots can go wrong with gelding so you need something as back up.

And get onto google, get a list of local vets and call them all. If they cant help ask them who can. There will be horse vets taking on clients.
 
I'm Dun said:
You wont want to hear this, but this is an absolute recipe for disaster. The money it will cost you to keep these youngsters until they are established lead rein ponies will far out weigh the cost of buying one now ready to go. The amount of training you are going to need to pay for is going to be extortionate. And even then they may well not do the job you have bought them for. This is not a cheap way to do this, and the potential for a child being hurt is enormous.

You really need an older horse out with them to keep them in line and teach them to be horses in a herd setting. They are going to become incredibly attached to each other and impossible for you to split them up.

Have you got a way to restrict the grazing safely? Have you got a stable for emergencies? Lots can go wrong with gelding so you need something as back up.

And get onto google, get a list of local vets and call them all. If they cant help ask them who can. There will be horse vets taking on clients.
Click to expand...
It’s not about the money, I wanted a young horse to grow up with my kids. One that I can make my own and not be sold some dangerous I’ll horse I’ve been bit many times before with people saying horses are safe when they aren’t. I’ve already said we are on building a field shelter that I’m going to be putting doors onto to turn into a stable for when we get them gelded. And I’m already in the process of being a new client with a vets. If they aren’t suitable when the time comes then I will cross that bridge then. I split them up a few times a week so they are used to being out the field separate from one another. I’m on partitioning the field as well. I’m not going to put my children at risk until I know they are 100% safe so I don’t know how it will be a risk for a child
 
Two welsh A’s said:
It’s not about the money, I wanted a young horse to grow up with my kids. One that I can make my own and not be sold some dangerous I’ll horse I’ve been bit many times before with people saying horses are safe when they aren’t. I’ve already said we are on building a field shelter that I’m going to be putting doors onto to turn into a stable for when we get them gelded. And I’m already in the process of being a new client with a vets. If they aren’t suitable when the time comes then I will cross that bridge then. I split them up a few times a week so they are used to being out the field separate from one another. I’m on partitioning the field as well. I’m not going to put my children at risk until I know they are 100% safe so I don’t know how it will be a risk for a child
Click to expand...

You know how they become dangerous and ill? It’s by good intentioned people like yourself who take on more than they are capable of managing then make too many mistakes and the ponies pay the ultimate price because they aren’t set up well for life.
 
TheMule said:
You know how they become dangerous and ill? It’s by good intentioned people like yourself who take on more than they are capable of managing then make too many mistakes and the ponies pay the ultimate price because they aren’t set up well for life.
Click to expand...
Or they are sold by dealers as safe horses and as soon as anyone gets on them they’re chucking them off and rolling whilst people are on them. Or have arthritis and other underlying health issues that was lied about. Not everything is always as straightforward I didn’t post this threat for someone to come and bash me into getting rid of my horses because I’m incapable, or trying to insult me by saying I’ve previously made my horses ill and unsafe. I won’t be replying to you again, thank you.
 
See if you can get the book No fear, no force by Sarah Weston. Its a great book for advice on handling feral foals. You are going to need somewhere to bring them in for handling and you will need to restrict grazing. Sec As can be very sharp and its really not as easy as you think to handle them and make them in to safe kids ponies.
I would try to get them in somewhere confined, get headcollars on and go from there. Good Luck.
 
Two welsh A’s said:
Or they are sold by dealers as safe horses and as soon as anyone gets on them they’re chucking them off and rolling whilst people are on them. Or have arthritis and other underlying health issues that was lied about. Not everything is always as straightforward I didn’t post this threat for someone to come and bash me into getting rid of my horses because I’m incapable, or trying to insult me by saying I’ve previously made my horses ill and unsafe. I won’t be replying to you again, thank you.
Click to expand...

And who sold them to the dealers?
It’s not bashing you or implying anything of the sort. It’s a reality check for what you have got yourself into. You need to upskill rapidly and that will involve considerable investment in professional help asap
 
Sandstone1 said:
See if you can get the book No fear, no force by Sarah Weston. Its a great book for advice on handling feral foals. You are going to need somewhere to bring them in for handling and you will need to restrict grazing. Sec As can be very sharp and its really not as easy as you think to handle them and make them in to safe kids ponies.
I would try to get them in somewhere confined, get headcollars on and go from there. Good Luck.
Click to expand...
I’ve managed to get the head collar on this evening and we are going to create a pen for the rest of the handling thank you
 
Two welsh A’s said:
Or they are sold by dealers as safe horses and as soon as anyone gets on them they’re chucking them off and rolling whilst people are on them. Or have arthritis and other underlying health issues that was lied about. Not everything is always as straightforward I didn’t post this threat for someone to come and bash me into getting rid of my horses because I’m incapable, or trying to insult me by saying I’ve previously made my horses ill and unsafe. I won’t be replying to you again, thank you.
Click to expand...
I get the point you are making but there is absolutely no way of knowing until these ponies have been broken and are riding (which will be at least 5) if they are going to be suitable for your kids or if they are simply going to chuck them off. I have a sec A. He came as a very nervous pony compared to some other breeds, he is very sharp, no way would I let a novice child near him. I have had him 17 years. :D Yours may well turn out to be 2nd ponies not the confidence giving first pony that every child deserves to learn with.

I'm not sure what you are hoping for is very fair to your kids. It is great for them to have a pony to grow up with and learn from. Great to be able to give them to the pony to babysit and know it will keep them safe. It will do wonders for their confidence as they progress with ponies and horses. However it is not going to help them if they have a pony who is very nervous to handle, who could seriously kick/bite or hurt them. That is just going to make the child scared. Kids won't have learnt the skills to keep themselves safe around a young pony.

These colts need educating, a long education that will take several years to teach them how to behave and what is expected of them. Even when gelded they will challenge. All young animals challenge to learn the boundaries and how they are expected to behave.
You are asking for tips and advice and saying you are not experienced with youngsters. You of course have some experience and can learn from a trainer. Your kids won't have the skills to teach a young pony, they themselves need a pony who has "been there, seen it and done it all" to learn from before they can take on a youngster.
 
They aren’t going to be used any time soon one of my kids is only 7 month old. My daughter is only 5. My kids aren’t handling these ponies me and my husband are so I don’t understand why my kids are getting brought into this.. when the time comes in many years if they aren’t safe then my kids won’t be near them and I will find something more suitable but at the minute my kids don’t handle them
 
Two welsh A’s said:
I’m not going to put my children at risk until I know they are 100% safe so I don’t know how it will be a risk for a child
Click to expand...


This is your problem.

Welcome to the forum, but who do you think is going to break these youngsters to being ridden? It's extremely difficult to find a rider who is experienced enough AND a light enough weight to start a section A. I hope you aren't expecting your children to be the crash test dummies?
.
 
I know what I’ve taken on and I 100% know how challenging it’s going to be but I also know it 100% can be done if done right which is why they’re going to be professional trained as well as me to ensure it’s done correctly
 
Two welsh A’s said:
I know what I’ve taken on and I 100% know how challenging it’s going to be but I also know it 100% can be done if done right which is why they’re going to be professional trained as well as me to ensure it’s done correctly
Click to expand...


Please forgive me this is going to sound very rude. If that's they case then I wonder why you felt the need to ask a bunch of total strangers on this forum (some of whom will claim knowledge and experience that they don't actually have and you have no way of knowing who is who) to help you?
.
 
Two welsh A’s said:
They aren’t going to be used any time soon one of my kids is only 7 month old. My daughter is only 5. My kids aren’t handling these ponies me and my husband are so I don’t understand why my kids are getting brought into this.. when the time comes in many years if they aren’t safe then my kids won’t be near them and I will find something more suitable but at the minute my kids don’t handle them
Click to expand...
most 5yo's I know are already messing around with and riding ponies. By the time these ponies are rideable at around 5 your daughter will be around 10.
Surely a 10yo child will very quickly outgrow or already have outgrown a sec A.

I'm not sure why you posted this thread. You asked for tips and advice yet you throw every comment back. If you know it all why post. I replied because I have experience in dealing with young ferals.
 
ycbm said:
Please forgive me this is going to sound very rude. If that's they case then I wonder why you felt the need to ask a bunch of total strangers on this forum (some of whom will claim knowledge and experience that they don't actually have and you have no way of knowing who is who) to help you?
.
Click to expand...
Because I felt deflated and have openly admitted I haven’t done this before but as I said I am going to be getting training from a professional that obviously just hasn’t started today but I’ve been in talks and it’s going to be starting in the next few weeks
 
Two welsh A’s said:
Because I felt deflated and have openly admitted I haven’t done this before but as I said I am going to be getting training from a professional that obviously just hasn’t started today but I’ve been in talks and it’s going to be starting in the next few weeks
Click to expand...


I wish you luck but I'm afraid ID is right. By the time one of these is ready for your 5 year old to ride she will likely have outgrown it, missed 5 years of riding fun and experience, and it will have cost you a great deal more than going out and buying a pony she can have fun with tomorrow.

For your younger daughter, it's a brave person who puts a five year old beginner on a five year old beginner.

Buying at 9 months is sadly much less of a guarantee of soundness and suitability than buying a pony that's doing the job you want it to do now with a good independent vetting and bloods drawn.

I do wish you luck, and hope it all works out.
.
 
I would find a good local trainer to come out ASAP, and keep handling to a minimum until then so they can't learn bad habits. If they've been with you less than a month that's nothing really. I bought a colt last year, with no previous experience with youngsters, so I roped in a well recommended local trainer to come out a few times to tackle new things (leading, picking up feet) with me so we'd be off to a good start. It's worked so well and at £60 for an hour's visit it's money very well spent. I maybe could've muddled though by myself but having professional support means that so far, problems just haven't developed. And it's given me far more confidence, knowing that I'm doing things in a way that's worked many times before.

Re gelding I would get back in touch with the local vet and pitch it to them as, this is a one off job that needs doing right now, please can you do it and I will find a different vet long term if necessary.

The other thing is, could you maybe borrow a kind older horse to nanny them? That should make your life easier.
 
Be careful as they can very easily learn bad habits. Its all too easy to teach them the wrong thing without meaning too. How old are they? If very young they really only need to learn to have feet picked up, walk on a headcollar and lead rope and stand to be groomed. They need time to grow up and hopefully have a older nanny horse to teach them manners.
 
You are at the unconscious incompetence stage. It is a dangerous place to be in this scenario You have no idea about what you are trying to do in real terms and how hard it will be,

To do this you need to be at the conscious competence stage but really you need to be at unconscious competence if your producing children's ponies

Sand-Update-3-StagesOfLearning.png


But by the time these are old enough to be children's ponies your kids will be far too big anyway, so its all a moot point really.
 
Two welsh A’s said:
I have two youngsters, I’ve had them just under a month. They’re colts not stabled they have a field, one of them is really shy won’t let us near him he was starting to come round but has gona backwards again and doesn’t want to come near us. The other will let us stroke his face and neck but I can’t get his head collar on. They’re starting to become very pushy and don’t know boundaries when it comes to food which is what I was using to get them to come near us but we’ve just back tracked now any tips or advice
Click to expand...
I've raised 2 foals from birth, 1 weanling from 6 months, 1 yearling and 1 from aged 2 up. Not a single one of them was ever afraid of people. And any temporary pushiness was nipped in the bud very, very early. And was just babies being boisterous and learning quickly that what's ok with their playmates is not ok with their humans. You have not just bought babies, you've bought babies who have learned to fear people which means 'stuff' has already happened to them which you need to undo.

Plus the pushiness you are describing is from your use of food treats to try and bribe them to approach you. Which a) has taught them to be pushy as horses generally do push each other around when it comes to food to establish a pecking order, and you have not addressed this firmly enough with them and b) fails to address their fear. Horses want to feel safe more than anything else at all. So using food to address fear is misguided.

If you genuinely want help from the forum you will find people are generous with their time and with their advice. Green on green CAN work but you need to be willing to listen to advice and learn from mistakes, without getting defensive. A pro to work with them is definitely a good idea. Good luck xx
 
Honestly OP you've taken on a massive task.

I grew up on a welsh pony breeding yard. we took on quiet a few ferals as my parents worked with local charities. Some came round and some didn't, most had 'useful' futures as broodmares, in hand ponies or companions, a couple ended up as competent kids ponies and a few ended up PTS as their welfare could not be safely managed (pony or human). We had large pens (12x20feet) with large gates (gates opened to cover the width of the path) on the front along the drive/path to the indoor school. The ponies would have daily turn out in the school and were 'stabled' in pairs in the pens until they were handled enough for proper turnout. They saw all the comings and goings from their pens and had buddies for emotional support. We spent hours sat in the pens reading (mum knitted) totally ignoring the ponies until they approached us. Once handled we could split the pens in half (12x10) with another gate and the ponies were then separated for grooming and picking feet up with out the worry of the other pony getting in the way or panicking.

With out this kind of set up or at least a stable you will struggle to move things forward past hand feeding, which you have already said has started to cause pushy behaviour.

Not knowing your location it is hard for anyone to recommend anyone. But I would suggest contacting the WPCS (welsh pony and cob society) and ask them for a list of welsh pony studs in your area. Then contact all of them within a comfortable distance for you and explain your situation. Most will have some experience with unhandled/semi handled youngsters or they maybe able to recommend someone who can help. Having the ponies stabled for a few weeks now will make the whole process move along a lot quicker IMHO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top