Advice on foals (read story first!)?
Alright now I dont want to get blamed for getting my horse pregnant when I dont know anything on babies and whatnot. So Ill give you some circumstance info.
These people down the road from me have a barn thats falling down, crappy fencing and horses that want to escape. The living conditions are horrible for the horses. Considering in the barn theres 2 stallions stuck contained by stalls and a couple mares running around -.- its sad. So the SPCA got involved.
They either have to sell off her horses, or send them for auction. Most horses here lacking training go for meat buyers.
They want way to much money for horses that have never have anything more done to them then halter trained (some dont even have that much)
I was looking at this one horse, never started, halter trained anything. She be 5 years old, and had been used as a broodie(?) and they looked-for $3000 she wasnt registered or anything! I was like -facepalm-
So anyway, I bought this mare and 3mth foal for $400. But I want to know in the region of weaning, and starting both of them.
The mare is ten years old, with no training other then halter. They in recent times used her to breed. So I want to train her up to do something (not sure what) and sell her. I already have 4 other horses, lol. I didnt want these ones but it be a good deal and I couldnt let a 3mth outdated go for meat. Its just wrong
So any advice on how I can return with these 2 used to being around me since its like theyve just be cought from the wild.
And what should I do with the foal? like ground manners and stuff.
Dear xXtwitch,
Mama knows when to wean her baby. YOU should just verbs feeding mama and let baby pocket what he/she needs. Watch for weight gain. Maybe your vet can have a look to see that adjectives is sound. Halter training can be started now for the little one, when training mama don't leave the kid behind, pen the foal near by but out of harms way and open simple training activities, lead line, bridle, saddle, etc. YOU necessitate to read the horse to see how far you've come to continue on to the mounting and riding etc.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Congratulations for saving them!
For now I'd just agree to them get used to being with you. I wouldn't try to wean the foal until she's comfortable self handled and is well trained to lead.
Start next to just spending time with them. I've rescued a number of ponies close to your two. Sit near their pen and read out loud to them. I always try to be within while they're eating and either reading or singing to them. Then they start to think of you and ingestion as going together and being pleasant. I also try to have a couple of pans of nurture near me when I'm out there. Not much feed, of late a small handful. It helps to make them curious about you and a horse beside it's head down and chewing has to be calm.
If you've never trained a horse in the past you'll need some help. If you're a good horseman you might receive by with using a book. Cherry Hill has some good ones and I love True Horsemanship Through Feel by Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond.
I'd also look into training the mare to drive. You'll hold better luck selling her the more she can do.
Answers: At 4 mos, the foal should be wearing a halter, allowing you to put it on and nick it off without issue. You should be able to front it, pick up all 4 feet without issue and it should stand gently for you. Do NOT tie it yet. Wait until it's at least 6 mos old for that. If you enjoy issues trying to work with the foal, make a squeeze chute to that you can get the infant in a controlled area where you can do adjectives this but NOT get you or the foal injured. IF the foal is already eating, then you can you should probably progress ahead and wean.
As for it's dam, you can start her off by lunging (A round pen works really nice for this.) Then once you have her going at adjectives gaits on verbal commands and both directions, afterwards you can start bitting her up in a surcingle and lunging her again, then finally a saddle and repeating all the things you did when you started her lunging. When she will do adjectives this quietly, then you can hop on board and see whether she can handle more weight on her back in need issue.
Twitch I've got to entice you a little. What are you doing to your mare that you got blamed for getting her pg? Hey...what a man! Just kidding.
I deem it is a noble thing you did to get her out of that horrible condition.
Are you certain she won't break on in even tho she is older? I would at least try. She have learned to trust you by now. However if she won't you did virtuous. Real good in this situation. I think I'd try to train her for western pleasure.
I enjoy not trained in a foal myself. However I know starting with a halter and a long lead have often been used. Usually you take the animal into a coral and work them within a circle while you are in the center lightly touching the animal with a lash to change paces.
I think you entail to look up the Horse Whisperer. That man has written several books. He takes wild crazy mustangs and next to lots of love has them eating out of his hand and is riding them within less than a week.
