[Sterling]

Hi all

I have never owned a horse under 2 yrs old and I just bought a 3 month old colt (will be gelding) that will be coming home when he is 5 months.
I wanted to know if anyone has any recomendations for books or have any advice for me that will help me to know what I can teach him and when. I am not sure what he is mentally capable of understanding at certian ages. I really am looking for what I should and can be teaching him in between 5 months and 1 1/2 yrs. After that I pretty much know.
ie: 4 months - work on picking up feet
4 1/2 months - work on tieing and standing quiet
5 months - learning to trot on lead line

This is just an example: if someone that has raised a baby has any reccomendations I would greatly appreciate it as I dont want him to be spoiled but dont want to push him harder than he is able to handle.

(I hope this makes sense as I am having trouble putting into words what I want to know)
Thanks

[sarahhowen]

My mare had a filly 8 weeks ago and this is our first foal so its all a learning curve for me, so this thread is certainly one I will want to keep an eye on.

I'm kinda taking the attitude that I am going to teach her things at her pace, I can already touch her all over, put a halter on her, lead her, pick up her feet, pick out the front feet (she doesn't quite have the balance for the back ones yet) and I have stared working on building trust with her, walking her over plastic bags etc.

I do short sessions with her daily, she loves to be with us and as we have been an important part of her life from day one I think it has made things easier for us.

What I would say is take things at his pace and take things one step at a time, good luck with him, oh and wheres our pictures....?????

[GingerSnap]

I know John Lyons had a great book called Bringing up Baby. You might look at that one.

Found it here it is.


http://store.johnlyons.com/johnlyonsbringingupbaby.aspx

[alaskahorse]

when starting foals, you do proceed at their pace but what I try to do is lay the ground work for future training and handleing. When starting to pick up their feet I don't pick them up and hold the high (like in a trim) but just off the ground as previous post stated, their balance just isn't there yet. But I do hold them, rub them and tap on them. I also put mu fingers gently into their mouths and rub their gums. They actually enjoy this when they are first born as their gums ar usually sore (just like any kid teething) that prepares them for worming, dental work, bitting up ect ect.
Lightly strokeing the inside of the ears, prepares for clipping, doctoring the ears if there is ever a need,, bridleing ect et. And it goes on and on. Further on down the road you can also teach them tomove off of your hand, fore and hinds, all in preparation for riding. Anyting I can think of tht will make their training as they get older less apprehensive and frightening. I believe you are only limited by yourself to what you do with them, keeping in mind that they are horses not house pets..

Have fun with your foals

[Sterling]

Thank You and I ordered a copy of John Lyons Bringing Up Baby yesterday (hehe) It looks like a good book and I have his Ground Control and Riding Manual but that is for my older horse not the baby. ... Sarahhowen .. thanks and best of luck learning with your baby ... I am not the best with computers so I havent figured out yet how to post a pic... when I did manage they were thumbnail size ... grrrrr

[GingerSnap]

Originally Posted by Sterling

Thank You and I ordered a copy of John Lyons Bringing Up Baby yesterday (hehe) It looks like a good book and I have his Ground Control and Riding Manual but that is for my older horse not the baby. ... Sarahhowen .. thanks and best of luck learning with your baby ... I am not the best with computers so I havent figured out yet how to post a pic... when I did manage they were thumbnail size ... grrrrr

I am ordering a copy tomorrow.

[Blaiz889]

Basically lots of ground work, leading, grooming, handling their feet and head, ect. Also, don't let him get pushy with you. You'll think, awww cute, but it's a sign of disrespect and when he's big and pushing you around it won't be so "cute" anymore. My friend has a foal and she shoves her head into you but you just have to push her away and she standing quietly, no problem.

[GingerSnap]

Originally Posted by Blaiz889

Basically lots of ground work, leading, grooming, handling their feet and head, ect. Also, don't let him get pushy with you. You'll think, awww cute, but it's a sign of disrespect and when he's big and pushing you around it won't be so "cute" anymore. My friend has a foal and she shoves her head into you but you just have to push her away and she standing quietly, no problem.

Your right about that rude babies are not cute when they get older. I have raised several foals, but we just played with them all the time. So this time I wanted to start one from square one using some type of method. Now if I would have been smart years ago when "Bringing up Baby" had been published as a series in Horse and Rider I would have kept my copies.

[StarfireArizona]

One thing I learned with my foal is to touch them all over, and ALL the time. Touch their eyes, ears, mouth, legs, belly, private areas, etc etc. Desensitizing them to being handled everywhere is worth its weight in gold. You never know when you might have to do something very important to a "no don't touch me there" spot.......and when they are big & that spot can be out of reach, it's quite a bit more difficult

[Lou3]

Just remember to take everything slowly, lots of praise, and dont try anything too physical too soon. Keep all sessions with baby short, and always end on a positive note with lots of fuss
By two the average baby should be wearing a bridle, leading nicely, long lining (ground driving I think you call it?) at a walk with turns to both sides, stop and a few strides of trot, they should pony happily, load and unload in a trailer, be used to trafic, plastic bags, umbrellas dogs, push chairs, stand for all grooming, farrier, clipping etc, follow you over a pole at a walk, back up on command, waer a rug and a surcingle. If you have a nice light bareback pad you can put on then they can wear that. The earlier you take them to their first show the better, even if its just to walk around and get used to being there, if there's a halter class thats great they can get their first taste of being IN the show ring too.
Dont make the mistake many do and lunge the horse before they hit three, before then the strain on their legs and spine caused by doing such tight circles can cause growth abnormalities. A few minutes at the walk wont hurt but no trotting etc until the growth plates in shoulder and leg bones close at 3-31/2 years old.

Once they hit their second birthday you can start conditioning for a rider, carrot stretches, ponying at a trot, walking up and down hills on the long lines, free lunging in a large arena (not a round pen), plus introduce the saddle, progress to showmanship classes at shows.
Then they hit the big THREE and the fun really starts when you introduce the rider! lol.