[MyBelgianAzzy]

Originally Posted by StormChaser

That does give me some hope!

It wasn't intentional! A (small) tornado came through the place the foal was staying, and the barn was evacuated, and she came back.

I have never bred a horse, and am not very knowledgable about breeding. The foal at the barn was a surprise- she was just THERE one morning, so it's a learning experiance for everyone involved!

[Xiphias]

When I bought my filly she was still on her momma, she was 7 months old...we put on the trailer, and brought her home...one night in the stall, and she got to talk to my 2 geldings through the stall screen, the next day, I showed her the fence line, with the geldings following, let her sniff them, and turned her loose, I had no problems, she never tryed to nurse....and they lived happily ever after....Cathy

[nickernnod]

Once you get the lead rope on him, keep it on him for awhile, they learn to yield to pressure very quickly that way. Sounds like he's getting a little frustrated from being in his pen and wants a little freedom. Is the round pen in a pasture? I think he needs to kick up his heels a little bit and let some of the pent up energy out.

[nickernnod]

I told my husband about your dilemma, He said make a squeeze chute w/a corral panel. Get him behind a panel and get your lead rope on him and if he doesn't go forward, back him to the barn. This is what Dave does all the time to get halters and lead ropes on. He really should be out of the elements, so he doesn't get sick. He's too cute. I'd hate to see him get sick on you. We've been following the "Johnny Story" from day one and Love him!

Best of Luck!

[Bella]

Originally Posted by MyBelgianAzzy

150 feet away? Someone more experianced would know for sure, but I thought they were supposed to be out of earshot and eyesight when they were weaned?

Working at a breeding farm has taught me a lot of new things... one of them being that if the mare and foal are close enough to hear one another, they wean much easier and with far less stress. The mom realizes the baby is okay and eventually moves on and stops replying... mind you we always wean with buddies, anyways.

-Bella

[StormChaser]

Originally Posted by nickernnod

Once you get the lead rope on him, keep it on him for awhile, they learn to yield to pressure very quickly that way. Sounds like he's getting a little frustrated from being in his pen and wants a little freedom. Is the round pen in a pasture? I think he needs to kick up his heels a little bit and let some of the pent up energy out.

Yes, it's in the pasture. And I think you're right. He's getting a little frustrated being alone and not having room to exercise and kick up his heels. Plus he's getting quite the belly on him. lol!

I worked with him last night. The weather was much better and he was a lot calmer. He let me catch him just fine. I worked with him on direction changes and he did the best he's ever done. I think the weather was just freakin him out. We haven't had hardly any rain for a very long time especially at only 40 degrees.

Everytime I go out now Fred and Betty are close by his pen. I think they are really getting used to him. They don't charge or try to bite at him through the pen anymore. When they come close...Johnny does his little chattering which is so adorable. I had no idea they even did that. It might be time to let him loose for a while and see how things go.

[StormChaser]

Originally Posted by nickernnod

I told my husband about your dilemma, He said make a squeeze chute w/a corral panel. Get him behind a panel and get your lead rope on him and if he doesn't go forward, back him to the barn. This is what Dave does all the time to get halters and lead ropes on. He really should be out of the elements, so he doesn't get sick. He's too cute. I'd hate to see him get sick on you. We've been following the "Johnny Story" from day one and Love him!

Best of Luck!

That's a very good idea. Tell him thank you!!! You guys are so awesome! Some day we are going to have to cross paths.

My fiance, Mom and Dad and I got our thinking caps on last night . We think we may have found another area for the round pen to go so it could be about 10ft. to 15ft. from the barn. It would also be close to the part in the barn where we could seclude him from the others if needed. We would have to do some fence mending, tearing down and putting up but it I think it would be a lot better for him. And he's worth it! lol!

[nickernnod]

How is little Johnny doing? I've been away from the computer, busy w/the boys and the babies' paperwork. Ugh! Would love to hear an update.

[StormChaser]

Well, we think we got it all figured out.lol! We ended up hooking the round pen right up to the S. side of the barn so he can go in and out whenever he pleases. The barn is divided down the middle so he's right next to Fred and Betty. We have an extra piece of fence that I can put up so we can still train in the round pen. He's so much more at ease now that he's closer to the other horses.

I have a couple of pics that I can post. Mind you...the barn is really old and but it serves it's purpose well. lol! I free lease it so I can't complain.

Plus, Johnny is looking terrible fat right now. He needs some major exercise. lol! I'm going to let him run around the pasture this weekend so he can kick up his heels a bit!

[nickernnod]

AWhhh, he looks great. Looks like he has a wonderful place to live, his roundpen is huge! Thanks for the update!