newly weaned colt arriving tomorrow - pics added :)

[breeze]

I have a 7month old highland colt arriving tomorrow, sadly he is being weaned tomorrow morning so I will be taking delivery of a very scared just weaned chap. My options are to put him in a 12x12 stable (he will be able to see others over the partitions but he has been out in the field all his life so no used to being stabled and from past experience of scared colts in confined spaces trying to muck them out etc can be quite dangerous. My second option is to put him in a 40’ open fronted barn with a small yard area outside and buddy him up with my yearling highland gelding, the little courtyard also has access straight out onto a small paddock which in turn has a gate out onto a bigger field so f he was really stressed I could get him turned out easily – downside to this option is that he will have a bigger area (shed/small yard) for me to have to try and catch him in, but on the plus side it gives him more space (and me more space to avoid flying hooves etc). if I opt for the second option my aim would be to keep him in the barn/courtyard until I can handle him but knowing I can just open a gate into a paddock would be a relief if I needed it as he is used to being out 24/7.
I’ve always stabled foals in the past so just wondering if anyone thinks my second option is a bad idea?

Thanks In advance

[Tywood]

I recently bought a gypsy cob filly foal that was also took of her dam the morning I picked her up, she went into a 12 x 12 stable with a 'talk grill' between the stables so she could see her neighbour and she was absolutely fine, I suppose your second option depends on if the colt has been well handled or not, as the last thing you want is him frightened and trying to escape over/through fences. Personally, I think you should have him in the stable for a few days to let him come to terms with his separation,if he's really scared it's not going to hurt if he's not mucked out for a couple of days.

[kt66horses]

I agree with Tywood. I think stabling is a much safer option if he is scared. You may not be able to muck him out but he is safe and you know he is. If you put him in the barn and all the open space he may try and get over the gates into the fields etc if he panics. I have always weaned foals into stables and progressed from there and find that you can have much more of a hands on approach in the smaller space, whereas in a big open space he has the option to keep away from you.

Good luck, im sure he will be fine.

[kaybrook]

My choice would be option 2 and let him come to you in his own time if you're not in a rush. If he has a friendly pal he should take a lead from them and get used to you not being a threat. If he's never been stabled before he might find that quite frightening. However I understand why other people say option 1 is best. Personally I don't think there's a right or wrong answer that suits everyone so you need to do what's best for you, there are pros and cons to each.

[gillwales]

I would go with option 1, however, when I was running a stud I would never sell a foal like that, I think it is a very poor policy for the buyer, and far more importantly for the foal, or mare if that was what I sold.All foals were weaned , halter broken, hooves picked, in fact fully handled. I would not have allowed my babies or my ladies to be stressed in that way, Shame on the breeder!

[comanchediva]

Definitely option 1 preferably with a top door which can be closed if he tries to escape. We brought our new Fell foal back from the sales and shut the top door but he could still speak to the 2 year old through the partition and he settled in very quickly xx

[breeze]

thanks everyone, the more i think about it and having read the replies the stable prion is the better, fingers crossed he settles reasonably quickly.

[gillwales]

Breeze, this is your opportunity to bond with your new neddy. Spend has much time as possible with him, remembering you are his teacher. Get him handled making certain you can get his halter on and off easily, lead him around the stable with confidence before going outside. Do all of the things you need to before introducing him to a friend.

Have fun and good luck, I hope it goes easily and stress-free for you and your baby x

[highlanderlass]

Breeze, when I got my Highland Filly a few years ago she was being weaned the day we picked her up, she was put in the trailer and had to endure a ferry journey to get home. I took my Shetland with me and travelled them without the partition, when we arrived home she didn't want to be stabled and to be honest I didn't blame her as she couldn't see her new buddy. Neave was weaned, headcollar on and travelled in the trailer all on the same day, she certainly didn't seem traumatised at all and just seemed to take everything in her stride. I fed her in the stable first to give her a positive experience and after a few days I could tie her up, feed her, pick our her feet and groom her without any bother. To be honest if I was ever going to wean a foal I would do it exactly the same way as it seemed to work for us.

I hope we will see pictures of your new boy very soon.

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[breeze]

well, after the stress of how on earth i get a halterless colt off the wagon and into a stable things went smoothly and he is tucked up in his stable, unsure but desperately wanting to make friends with me. i am absolutely thrilled with him

[caspa]

We are weaning our highland filly tomorrow, it's at bit harder though as we have mum too...

But to be honest mum is absolutley shattered so I'm hoping she will be glad of the rest..

Little one is really Independent so fingers crossed it will all go well..

[breeze]

good luck Caspa, when i weaned my homebred boy a few years ago it was a total non event but his mum was sent away for a few weeks. is your filly one that Carolyn bred?

[caspa]

Yeah, she is..

Really hoping it all goes ok, I can see me spending the night rolled up in a turnout rug, outside her stable..

I will keep you posted

[breeze]

and here he is three days after he arrived, he has come round so fast and is a complete poppet thrilled with him

[09rebel99]

He's lovely breeze! Glad all is going well :-)

[richvale]

What a poppet.  Keep up the good work, well done!

[ruddles]

Oh he is lovely - good luck with him and keep us updated!

[gillwales]

lovely, well done on wearing a hard hat

[gillwales]

lovely, well done on wearing a hard hat

[fanfarefan]

super looking chap ,looks really happy , good luck

[highlanderlass]

Such a bonny boy, I hope you have lots of fun with him!

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[lucymay]

What a super chap he looks, all the best with him. How is he bred??
:-)

[breeze]

he is Whitefield Prince Valiant (out of Nadine of Whitefield by whitefield Prince Platinum). hoping he will be something special

[kaybrook]

He's gorgeous!

[caspa]

Ahhhh, knew he was whitefield .. Lovely chunky chappy!!

Looks like he is really settling well...

Good luck with him.. I can't resist whitefields, bred to do the job..

[deucoch]

Lovely colt! Love highlands.

[comanchediva]

He's lovely breeze. Glad he's settled in and all is going well. Good luck with him

[svetlana]

oh hes nice I'm looking into getting a native breed but not sure what to go for. don't really know much about highlands but they look nice types

[sarahp]

it depends on what you like svetlana. Each native breed does have its own breed character.

[hayj1]

awww hes so cute bless him!