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Post by cg on Apr 25, 2016 9:39:08 GMT
My yearling colt is still very fluffy and there isn't much sign of a summer coat yet! I have had him for a month and never had something quite so young and fluffy so I am not sure what to expect. His face is starting to go lighter and clear coat change but not in his body? I spend time rubber curry combing him almost everyday!
Does anybody have any tips or what I should be expecting? He wintered without a rug, he needs a bath but he has never had one before and I am just waiting for it to be a little warmer so it is a pleasant experience for him.
On the plus side, he is learning to lead very obediently and has a beautiful trot, I cant wait to get him out. He is also learning to nibble, but I am nipping that in the bud now!
I have found it very rewarding already, the amount he has improved and I am hoping to breed from him so any other tips appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Apr 25, 2016 9:52:21 GMT
Keeping the stable lights on into the evening if he's stabled at night should help, although starting this earlier in the year would have been more useful, and maybe oil in his feed.
If mine I'd be inclined to take him out anyway, hot clothing instead of bathing if it's still cold, and a good introduction to being cleaned anyway, and a lycra body suit would flatten the coat down which would make him look much smarter.
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Post by cg on Apr 25, 2016 9:56:45 GMT
Keeping the stable lights on into the evening if he's stabled at night should help, although starting this earlier in the year would have been more useful, and maybe oil in his feed. If mine I'd be inclined to take him out anyway, hot clothing instead of bathing if it's still cold, and a good introduction to being cleaned anyway, and a lycra body suit would flatten the coat down which would make him look much smarter. Thank you Sarahp, you have been so helpful in my colt posts on here! I will maybe have a go at hot clothing him this week, he is stabled at night still, I am worrying that he shouldn't be because he is so young but he seems happy. I keep seeing photos of yearlings looking incredible and he looks very much a gangly weedy baby, but I am not too worried at the moment, I don't want to rush him. |
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Apr 25, 2016 10:53:47 GMT
How kind, it's always good to be appreciated! I try to help where I can.
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Post by comanchediva on Apr 25, 2016 14:43:51 GMT
One of our yearlings has almost got his summer coat whilst the other is still a bit fluffy and as he is grey his coat looks a bit dull so I do sympathise! A good bath will do the world of good but I agree it's still too cold for a full bath. I have found Supreme Products Hot Oil has been brilliant this winter for the older ponies as well as the babies, you just put a few drops in hot water and then hot cloth them and they look like they've been bathed.
I fully agree with Sarahp about getting him out anyway even if you think he doesn't look too great; also it may give you some other yearlings to compare him to. We took both yearlings out yesterday to a local show and came home with 2 quite surprising red ones which was pleasing but also the fact that they loaded, travelled and (almost) behaved well in the ring was just as pleasing.
I love showing yearlings, no expectations as they have nothing to prove and as long as they are good boys the result doesn't matter. My advice is start his education early and enjoy him. Good luck x
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Post by cg on Apr 26, 2016 10:18:24 GMT
One of our yearlings has almost got his summer coat whilst the other is still a bit fluffy and as he is grey his coat looks a bit dull so I do sympathise! A good bath will do the world of good but I agree it's still too cold for a full bath. I have found Supreme Products Hot Oil has been brilliant this winter for the older ponies as well as the babies, you just put a few drops in hot water and then hot cloth them and they look like they've been bathed. I fully agree with Sarahp about getting him out anyway even if you think he doesn't look too great; also it may give you some other yearlings to compare him to. We took both yearlings out yesterday to a local show and came home with 2 quite surprising red ones which was pleasing but also the fact that they loaded, travelled and (almost) behaved well in the ring was just as pleasing. I love showing yearlings, no expectations as they have nothing to prove and as long as they are good boys the result doesn't matter. My advice is start his education early and enjoy him. Good luck x Thank you! He has been 'supremed' a lot already which has done the world of good and the change in his feed is starting to make his coat look healthy but there is still loads of it! I would love to get him out, he is just adorable and hopefully has a wonderful future, I would attach a picture but I have no idea how? A friend posted a picture on facebook over the weekend of her yearling out and it looked fantastic, beautifully conditioned as if it were a 3 year old. Mine is very much gangly and a little ribby still, but I have only had him a month, I have never shown yearlings but cannot wait, he is a sports horse so I think there are youngstock classes for him. Thank you  for the advice ! |
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Post by sjw87 on Apr 26, 2016 10:53:32 GMT
The most important thing for a yearling is to get a good experience. So what if he's fluffy - if you've got him leading well then get him out to experience the world. He's got plenty of time to grow and I personally would rather my youngsters look their age as they are more likely to have a long, healthy adult life as a result.
My 8 month old colt looks awful with all the hair but I'd much rather have a fluffy youngster who gets turned out with friends than a nice, sleek looking one who hasn't set a foot out of a stable all winter. He'll be out for his first show in the next month or so.
Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards
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Post by cg on Apr 26, 2016 13:12:45 GMT
The most important thing for a yearling is to get a good experience. So what if he's fluffy - if you've got him leading well then get him out to experience the world. He's got plenty of time to grow and I personally would rather my youngsters look their age as they are more likely to have a long, healthy adult life as a result. My 8 month old colt looks awful with all the hair but I'd much rather have a fluffy youngster who gets turned out with friends than a nice, sleek looking one who hasn't set a foot out of a stable all winter. He'll be out for his first show in the next month or so. Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards Thank you, these were my thoughts exactly! I would much rather him look like a yearling than a perfectly preened horse at 11months old! He is leading very well, somethings we struggle on direction but he isn't rude or bargy and listens to me. He can call for my big horse but again he doesn't get bargy hes just noisy, I can cope with that! In the space of a month he has gone from being relatively unhandled to having all his feet picked up everyday, leading on his own, headcollars on and off, grooming and bathing! Am I right in thinking if he is a colt he will need a small bit to show in? I was thinking one of those small black nylon bits? Thanks |
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Post by comanchediva on Apr 26, 2016 14:14:58 GMT
Ours are natives so the yearlings are shown in a white nylon slip, although I did see a Highland yearling last weekend with a nylon bit in. I'm not entirely sure what's correct for a sport horse yearling but at the end of the day it's about safety for you and others so you may feel that you need a bit for that extra bit of control just to see how he goes, especially if he's quite a big lad. If he's OK without a bit then I think a plain leather slip will also be correct (please tell me if I'm wrong everyone) but that's what we showed our coloured SHP type in when he was a yearling.
I would definitely get him out and about soon, don't worry about how he looks it's all about educating him.
Just out of interest what type is your friend's yearling?
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Apr 26, 2016 16:28:11 GMT
I, and all ponies I've tried in it, hate those straight black nylon bits, so I've always used what I would for normal breaking, usually a double jointed snaffle of some sort. I have never had it remarked on by a judge and ponies in it have done very well thank you on occasions so I can't believe I've ever been put down for using it.
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Post by comanchediva on Apr 27, 2016 5:22:07 GMT
I don't like those straight nylon bits either, an eggbutt snaffle or similar with small rings gives a much neater picture. Also, please don't use one of those horrible thick chains that you see people using. A leather lead looks much nicer.
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Post by cg on Apr 27, 2016 8:13:13 GMT
Brilliant, thank you for that advice I would have gone straight for a nylon one so I will get a little jointed one instead! I have bought him a little turnout rug to wear in the field just to try and encourage his coat to shed too. I will do some loading practice with him at the weekend and hopefully in June I will find a small local show to take him to |
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Post by sjw87 on Apr 27, 2016 10:08:49 GMT
Double check the schedule/society rules for the show in question. Often it states that colts are to be bitted from 2 onwards.
As someone earlier, most of my youngsters have been native/traditional so have been shown in a white halter until they require a bit.
Obviously if he needs a bit earlier than the rules make it compulsory then you should but if he doesn't need one yet then a nice leather slip will be fine.
Enjoy!
Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards
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Post by cg on May 25, 2016 9:06:30 GMT
Just an update, he had his first bath yesterday and his coat was already looking better! He was bitted last week, I have used a magic bit and his first little inhand bridle came too last week. The show on Sunday was cancelled, but hoping to find another one to get him out to soon! He has grown A LOT so I think he may be bigger than expected but that's fine. Looking forwards to finding a show to take him to |
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for the advice !