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Post by orangeblob on Apr 29, 2015 16:18:24 GMT
I am thinking of purchasing a youngster but really know nothing about the correct handling and proceeder. I have had horses 35 years , and the youngest i have had was a just backed 3 year old, some years ago, but am thinking of purchasing a yearling. Advice , books, article to read etc would be helpful. I have trained horses up to advance level in BD dressage , done showing up to olympia standard , BSJA in the past , so i know a fair amount but never had one so young. I have a retired very clam 25 year old gentleman to keep the youngster company, a couple of stable one foaling box and plenty of post and rail grazing. Appealing to other knowledge base before i make my decision wether to go down the youngster line !
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Post by crimsoncloverep on Apr 30, 2015 6:25:57 GMT
I think alot of it is just being sensible. I bought my first yearling 3 years ago and she is now hacking out- its a great feeling having them from so young. If you can be consistent with your training from the start, put down ground rules, show them the sights and get the basics of being tied up/having feet picked/ leading its quite hard to go wrong. I'd also say dont get too worried when they hit the 'terrible twos' or when they've been broken for a few months and they suddenly imagine they're this great big adult superhorse that can be RIDDEN!! Young horses go through cocky stages where you can just get sick of them. The important thing is to continue with calm, firm handling and they should turn out just finr
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Apr 30, 2015 7:09:45 GMT
I start with my home bred foals when weaned, and work with through their first winter as they come in at night, out in the day so handled every day. Sometimes just led in and out, nothing more, and on other days when I have more time we do leading practice or whatever. Short sessions, consistent rules and an insistence on good manners to humans at all times. No rushing out of stables or through gates, if they try, reverse them and try again until they behave. I use rope halters, and start with halter work to begin with, teaching them to be very light in hand going forwards, backwards and turns on the forehand so moving their bums away from an aid when asked. This will enable you to position them stood up correctly, progressing to standing for as long as you ask, or rather stand until you ask them to move on in whichever direction. Tying up, grooming, picking up feet to be trimmed and loading in the lorry/trailer would complete their winter education here, maybe adding rugs if you need to. Then they go out to grass and only get caught up and brought in for farrier and worming until they are ready to break.
Along the way though, all sorts of stuff is being learned - I have fields bordering the drive and try to always put them in there for a spell. At first they are frightened of the traffic and gallop away from it into their comfort zone but gradually become less bothered, progressing to me chatting to them through the car windows until they regard cars as friendly and not scarey. We walk round the garden on and off different surfaces before doing loading and go to chat to anything they look wary of - I put my hand or foot on it and then they will usually come up and have a sniff, all good stuff in preventing nappiness.
What you are trying to achieve is that the horse has trust in you and regards you as his "herd leader" so he knows you will not hurt him or require him to do anything dangerous, and also that he does at the end of the day need to do what you ask.
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