Conditioning a Weanling For Spring Halter- Tips?

amchorses · 12-28-2006, 01:32 PM

What would you do to condition a weanling for Halter Classes starting in march? I would like as many tips as possible. Tips on increasing muscle mass, getting rid of hay belly and getting him conditioned, supplements or anything else.
Thanks,
Alicia

Acme Acres · 12-28-2006, 02:47 PM

1. They need to stay stalled up a decent amount of time so that they don't get too lean.
2. Blanket and sheet them, and include a hood so that the mane learns to stay down and on one side (you can braid chunky braids if you need to to help teach it).
3. Worm every month
4. Brush and if possible, vaccuum daily to get as much dead hair off and as much natural oil in as possible.
5. Good feed: alfalfa hay or pellets and oats or omolene is a great place to start.
6. Supplements. I personally always like to have weanlings/yearlings on a good colt supplement to prevent growth related issues like ephysitis from happening when they're being fit up. I'd highly recommend DAC Orange, DAC Oil and DAC Colt Grower. All are top rated products and each does something different from the other but work beautifully together and are very reasonable in cost.
7. Get a weanling neck sweat. Most babies don't need it, but it does help keep them tucked and tight. They need to wear it right after you get them groomed up, while they're worked and then leave it on them while they're tied up in their stall until they're cooled off (about an hour to 2 hours for babies).
8. I'd also recommend a pair of bell boots and splints for them just to be safe in not over reaching.
9. long jog will help take off the belly. Go in as long of a line as possible, if you have to use circles, go big. I prefer ponying on a quad or a horse if possible and hills are great.

Shoot, can't think of it all right now, but just drop me a note if you need anything

skysthelimit · 12-28-2006, 03:50 PM

I'm not big on Pruina products like Omelene. I really like TC. I've never used the DAC products but have heard they are great!

Other than using steriods (don't do it!) do gain muscle, hillwork and hand walking is going to be your best bet, I'd think. Circle work like lunging is way too hard on developing joints, so stay straight as possible. Hills are an excellent suggestion! Don't overwork your baby- I've heard that you shouldn't let babies break a sweat while working- that it's too strenuous (sp?)....but i'm not sure! (this doens't include neck sweating).

As far as hay belly goes...have you wormed him lately? If it's been a while, do an ivermectin or something that won't cause a 'blockage' lol...

alfalfa is a good recomendation, rice bran helps maintain muscle mass as well...I've heard oats can make a horse hot...not sure. I LOVE feeding BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) but I don't know if they are safe to feed a weanling....but they add tremendous shine to the coat and a safe form of fat derived energy. I don't know much about halter, but I hope this helped....Good luck!!!!~Brit

amchorses · 12-29-2006, 04:34 PM

Thanks, any more tips or opinions from others?

12-28-2006, 01:32 PM	#1
amchorses Full Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 57 Images: 7	Conditioning a Weanling For Spring Halter- Tips? What would you do to condition a weanling for Halter Classes starting in march? I would like as many tips as possible. Tips on increasing muscle mass, getting rid of hay belly and getting him conditioned, supplements or anything else. Thanks, Alicia

12-28-2006, 02:47 PM	#2
Acme Acres Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,217 Images: 419	1. They need to stay stalled up a decent amount of time so that they don't get too lean. 2. Blanket and sheet them, and include a hood so that the mane learns to stay down and on one side (you can braid chunky braids if you need to to help teach it). 3. Worm every month 4. Brush and if possible, vaccuum daily to get as much dead hair off and as much natural oil in as possible. 5. Good feed: alfalfa hay or pellets and oats or omolene is a great place to start. 6. Supplements. I personally always like to have weanlings/yearlings on a good colt supplement to prevent growth related issues like ephysitis from happening when they're being fit up. I'd highly recommend DAC Orange, DAC Oil and DAC Colt Grower. All are top rated products and each does something different from the other but work beautifully together and are very reasonable in cost. 7. Get a weanling neck sweat. Most babies don't need it, but it does help keep them tucked and tight. They need to wear it right after you get them groomed up, while they're worked and then leave it on them while they're tied up in their stall until they're cooled off (about an hour to 2 hours for babies). 8. I'd also recommend a pair of bell boots and splints for them just to be safe in not over reaching. 9. long jog will help take off the belly. Go in as long of a line as possible, if you have to use circles, go big. I prefer ponying on a quad or a horse if possible and hills are great. Shoot, can't think of it all right now, but just drop me a note if you need anything __________________ *Acme Acres* Home of Reflections Playboy & ShowHorseSupplies.com www.azpainthorses.com Heavenly Jumper's PE

12-28-2006, 03:50 PM	#3
skysthelimit Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Georgia moun...hills Posts: 2,877 Images: 161 Blog Entries: 1	I'm not big on Pruina products like Omelene. I really like TC. I've never used the DAC products but have heard they are great! Other than using steriods (don't do it!) do gain muscle, hillwork and hand walking is going to be your best bet, I'd think. Circle work like lunging is way too hard on developing joints, so stay straight as possible. Hills are an excellent suggestion! Don't overwork your baby- I've heard that you shouldn't let babies break a sweat while working- that it's too strenuous (sp?)....but i'm not sure! (this doens't include neck sweating). As far as hay belly goes...have you wormed him lately? If it's been a while, do an ivermectin or something that won't cause a 'blockage' lol... alfalfa is a good recomendation, rice bran helps maintain muscle mass as well...I've heard oats can make a horse hot...not sure. I LOVE feeding BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) but I don't know if they are safe to feed a weanling....but they add tremendous shine to the coat and a safe form of fat derived energy. I don't know much about halter, but I hope this helped....Good luck!!!!~Brit __________________ There is no action, no other course, I could not have her with just force, For this is love in best and worst. It is the love of a horse! ~me "Is natural horsemanship training while naked?" -MelissaH

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12-29-2006, 04:34 PM	#4
amchorses Full Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 57 Images: 7	Thanks, any more tips or opinions from others?