[chevalgal]

is there any other way than just saying it around her alot?

Mare:
When can i start riding my mare again?

Filly:
When do i need to wean her?
When can i put a halter on her?
When can i start groundwork?
How old does she have to be to broken in?
What should i be doing with her now/first?

it is coming into winter here,
Does she need a rug?

she is almost a week old
am i too impatient?


Chevalgal, Pie and Calypso

[StarfireArizona]

is there any other way than just saying it around her alot?

That is the only way for her to become familiar with the sound...and to apply it to herself. Talk quietly to her & just say her name a lot. When you arrive & see her & she sees you, say her name a couple of times. It might not become obvious for some time that it registers with her, but it will

Mare:
When can i start riding my mare again?

I had asked my vet the same thing last year after my mare foaled, and he said anytime I wanted. But I gave her some time to regain her strength. Since she had baby by her side all the time I could only hop on for a few minutes at a time & ride in the corral or round pen so we didn't tire the baby out.

Filly:
When do i need to wean her?
Most folks say at about 4 months, some say let them wean on their own. I weaned my colt at around 4 months.

When can i put a halter on her?
Yesterday She can get used to that right now. I imprinted my foal so he was used to the on/off halter business on his first day on earth Put it on every day & a short time later take it off. She should adapt easily....

When can i start groundwork?
If by ground work you mean leading, yielding hind & forequarters, etc, you can start working on any of that stuff right now....for very short periods. Since you have not haltered her yet, that of course must be first....but once you get her used to that, then try putting a cotton lead (wear gloves even) on the halter & be ready for a short battle. Once you can hold her still on a line next to her mom, you can groom her quietly, start teaching her to lead, teaching her to break at the poll & lotsa other things

How old does she have to be to broken in?
"Broken in"......by that do you mean being started under saddle ? That is a loaded question here Some folks are very comfortable with 2 years, but others wait until 3 or 4 until a lot more of their joints fuse. I personally am going to wait until 3 to "start" him....and even a little longer for any real work. It is really what you and your trainer are comfortable with.

What should i be doing with her now/first?

I posted what I had accomplished with my foal about 6 months ago, and you may find some ideas there: Weanling Groundwork

it is coming into winter here, Does she need a rug?

This is something I don't know for babies are born here in the spring, and I live in Arizona where it does not get very cold. There are bound to be some other folks here with a better idea.....

she is almost a week old am i too impatient?

Not at all....the more you work with your baby the better bond you will have. I have loved on & handled my 1 year old colt every day of his life, and he absolutely adores being petted & kissed. I can do anything to him. Last night I tried a lightweight western saddle on him for the first time & was expecting a bolting session. My daughter was ready with the video camera. What did Desi do with a 20# saddle on his back ? Just stood there waiting for pasta treats I didn't cinch him up or anything, but was just getting him used to weight on his back. What a love he is..... Time spent with your baby is never wasted.

Good luck with your new little girl.....spend every spare minute you can. I love my boy and don't regret a single thing we did together. He is going to be my rock

[kellyface]

Originally Posted by chevalgal

it is coming into winter here,
Does she need a rug?

I'd say yes. Depending on how thick her coat is by the time the chilly times come around. If her momma has a rug on then she certainly should. I'd go out and invest in one now and get her used to it before its actually winter and you stand out in the barn battling to get it on in the freezing cold. :]

[chevalgal]

thank you starfire arizona
very helpful
her mum was bought off the trotting tracks before she was three
we had her retrained at about 6
her mum doesnt wear a rug
and hasnt in over 4 years

ive been told that foal might struggle under the halter so much that she can flip over and break her back. now im paranoid
ill talk to my instructor on sunday (first lesson in over a year...)

thank you both
chevalgal

[StarfireArizona]

Originally Posted by chevalgal

thank you starfire arizona
very helpful
her mum was bought off the trotting tracks before she was three
we had her retrained at about 6
her mum doesnt wear a rug
and hasnt in over 4 years

ive been told that foal might struggle under the halter so much that she can flip over and break her back. now im paranoid
ill talk to my instructor on sunday (first lesson in over a year...)

thank you both
chevalgal

When you first start putting a line on your baby, and she pulls back, just go with her.....but don't let go. Hold on tight & just follow her until she stops pulling & stands still. When she calms down go over an love on her. With my little guy it only took about 15 seconds before he stopped his little tantrum. Once you do get a halter on her try to spend considerable time training her to drop her head with pressure at the poll...but in tiny increments. The second you feel the tiniest give, release & love on her. Keep at it until you just about get her nose to the ground. Just to make it fun for my little guy, I brought my head down with his.....sure made him look at me funny sorta saying "what the heck are YOU doing ?"

[Drafty]

she is a verry pretty horse just keep saying her name that is what alot of other people say she will learn it sooner or later

[DiamondRio]

I think that even if your mare does not wear a rug your foal may need to depending on how fluffy her hairs are. Expecially if it gets pretty cold at night, you dont want her getting sick

[Drafty]

a baby that young should be blanketed cause they relaly don't have the hair to keep them warm i would want a beuatiful baby like that getting sick

[chevalgal]

thank you again
umm, i made the biggest mistake in HISTORY!!!
calypso is not a cute little filly...
'she' is a handsome and energetic colt
from now on HE is a HE.
what happened was i looked underneath like we do for our sheep when they have thier lambs.
and yer HE was all 'tucked up'
i have learn't my lesson and will double and triple check next time
one things for sure, my friends will never let me forget it.

thankx for the advice everyone
i will talk to my instructor/breeding friend when i see her on sunday
(she had a foal within the last month as well, ill find out what she plans on doing and go from there)
thankx again hgs!!

chevalgal

[Appylvr]

is there any other way than just saying it around her alot?
That's the only way I know... don't worry they pick it up quick! Teak started coming to his name by the time he was 2 months I think... hard to remember that far back. My mom used to joke he was like a dog, but he's still like that.

Mare:
When can i start riding my mare again? I'd give her a month or so... and then start light riding. Are you planning on ponying baby with you? My friend just left her filly at home and would only stay out for an hour or so...

Filly:
When do i need to wean her? usually 4-6 months, varies with foals. If she's big and taking a lot out of the mare you want to do it earlier rather than later. If she's small then I'd leave her with mom a bit longer.

When can i put a halter on her? I started with Teak right away. At first just let her get used to it. Don't try to pull her around with it or anything.

When can i start groundwork? I'm not much help here...

How old does she have to be to broken in? You can have your vet check to make sure her knees have closed, but usually if you wait until they're 2 1/2 or 3 it's plenty of time. I'm a cautious person, so I waited until Teak was 4 (plus I didn't need him before then)

What should i be doing with her now/first? Getting her used to being handled. You have to be rubbing her ears, picking up her feet, tapping a hoof pick on them. Start leading lessons when you feel she's ready...

it is coming into winter here,
Does she need a rug?

How cold does it usually get near you? If it gets really cold and she's outside in it then I'd say yes.