When are you ready for a baby?

[saultgirl]

When is a horseperson ready to bring up their first young horse?

How do you know if your ready for something as young as a weanling?

I'm not in the market for a new horse myself, but I was thinking of this today... I've been in horses a few years (almost 20) and I am currently working with my second youngster (will be 4 in 2009). My previous horse was purchased as a two year old and I just sold him this summer (he was 6 this year).

But I was thinking to myself, I don't know if I would be able to deal with a weanling, even though I consider myself to be a fairly capable horsewoman! That seems like such a huge endeavor! So how does one know if they are ready for that?

[TBlitz]

I think that between your experience with horses and connection to the internet and COTH, you could probably handle it :D.

I got a weanling just over a year ago. I've dealt with quite a few babies in my past, but I had never owned a horse younger than 3. I have land so I don't have to worry about boarding stables, but if I didn't have acreage I wouldn't have chosen to get a baby. I was looking to raise a little one that would eventually replace my older horse as a jumper/foxhunter/pleasure mount. I'm in college (2 or 3 semesters left!), but I have an amazing father that grew up on a farm and helps take care of the horses when I'm at school (he loves it and my mom likes that it gives him something to do :D).

Reflecting upon my experiences, I think I might have ended up with issues if I didn't have such an utterly bombproof baby. He can be very stubborn sometimes (he's Irish :lol:), but most of the time he's a ginormous teddy bear with more maturity and brains than my TB gelding (that's not really a huge accomplishment). He not only costs less than my TB both in vet and feed bills, but is a HUGE people lover/pleaser, so my bank account and my Dad (the caretaker) are both happy campers. I do have an insurance policy out on him though incase something does happen, so I won't go completely broke.

Right now he's going through one of those ugly stages and looks oddly similar to Chewbacca (the walking carpet) from Star Wars... except with a bigger head :lol:

[Equsrider]

Great question! I've had horses for 40 years,shown up to Grand Prix Jumpers, run a boarding/training facility, and had my first baby in March of 2008.I have started many from 2 years on, but this first time baby has been an education!
It reminds me alot of when my first daughter was born...one learns by doing!And once I got over the idea that I was going to totally screw him up because I had no idea how to raise a foal it's been fine. They are fairly resilient, as long as the intent is to raise a happy, respectful, and well rounded individual.And I have read and asked for alot of advice on COTH Breeding forum!!!At 9 months mine will stand pretty good for the farrier, likes to be vacumned, loads, clips, wears a blanket, other than that he just gets to be a kid for the next couple of years.I've been putting off teaching him to tie because it makes me nervous, just like all the previous things did the first time we tried them.I just keep telling myself to go slow and keep the sessions short...I guess only time will tell if I was ready or not, and was successful, but so far so good!I do have to say however, he is a very level headed boy and I know that has made a huge difference

[Seven-up]

I was playing with my first weanling (not actually mine) when I was 12. I accomplished some things, like being the first one to be able to touch/catch him, putting a tiny saddle on him, but I also got into a good bit of trouble with him. My most memorable mistake was thinking that all horses cross-tie...that ended with an upside down horse, still cross-tied, and one very freaked out 12 year old kid. What's that saying about God protecting fools and children? Not sure which one I was. :lol:

For me personally, at that age and experience level, I was in no way ready to handle a baby on my own. If I had someone helping and monitoring me very closely, maybe I could have handled a lot of things, but I don't think I could've dealt with everything.

[IronwoodFarm]

Actually working with babies is not that hard, as long as you are willing to be patient and regular about it. You take it one day at a time and it seems to work out.

[bosox]

I am not sure that everyone is. I personally don't want a baby--now or ever (watch these words come back to haunt me!):lol:

Of course, little sox would love a baby...but a really good friend who is in her early 20s and A grad PCer breeded one of her ponies that little sox loves to ride--and little sox has gotten her fill that way.

Little sox meet the baby w/in 12 hours after birth--got to lead pony for the first time, halter it--groom, brush and just started learning how to properly break!

It has been great for me--b/c she has her fill of baby--but off the farm.:D

[HydroPHILE]

I think that between your experience with horses and connection to the internet and COTH, you could probably handle it :D.

Lol...two thumbs up.

[Kementari]

I think you are ready for a baby when (assuming you are a relatively intelligent and accomplished horseperson ;)) you no longer seriously question whether or not you are ready. (Not to say that you have NO questions - we all have questions, and if we didn't we would be very smart! - but that you don't sit around and wonder whether or not you know enough.)

When I got my baby almost six years ago, I had already worked with horses in pretty much every stage of training/life, under the supervision (either direct or indirect) of those who knew more than I. So I had been through teaching a horse to tie, to stand for the farrier, to lunge, to handle a human on its back, to w/t/c/jump undersaddle, etc. There was no question in my mind that I was ready to handle a baby of my own - of course, there was also no question that I would have lessons with a good trainer, too! ;)

Of course, if you are planning to have a pro do everything (including regular lessons with you so that you reinforce the right things in between training sessions), you can probably handle a baby sooner than if you want to do it yourself. :yes:

[StockyCrosses]

When I was growing up we had a baby or two, and as the only horsey child I took care of them. We had them from birth until the could be ridden and sold, but I'd have to say those weanlings were pure evil. :) Not really, they were actually really cute and friendly. Patience is the main thing when working with these little critters, their attention span is probably 15 minutes on a good day. And you need to be consistent, if they bite you and you smack them on the nose, keep doing it when they do bite you. (I always pinched their necks, it seemed to work for me.)

The best part is watching them grow up.

[KellyS]

I just got my first weanling this past summer...and I was one of those people who said I'd never have a baby (horse). :)

I've been doing the horse thing since I was 5 (hmmm, 25 years now)...got my first horse when I was 12--an aged QH mare that kept me on my toes with her enthusiasm and athleticism. I graduated through 2 more QHs--both geldings--one was more of your packer type and the second was a green broke 7-year-old who taught me a lot about bringing a young horse along, but also came with his own baggage (I still have him--he's 20 this year--and he still has the same issues!).

Next was my husband's TB--experienced, but not an easy ride. However, he was such a nice horse in general--very calm and easy going, you could do anything with him. My husband and I got into driving and 3 years ago we bought an unbroke 5-year-old. He had basic handling, but we did all his driving/riding training ourselves. It was so much fun and he has turned out to be such a nice pony. I realized that bringing them along yourselves could be really rewarding.

So, this past summer, when I was ready to look for something for myself (we lost the TB in 2007, and it took me awhile to be able to think about getting another guy), I suddenly had the urge to get a baby. And it has been great! I bought a Welsh pony/TB weanling; he was in GA and it worked out for my husband to pick him up and bring him home on a trip back from Florida. He was 4 months old when he arrived.

I was completely the anxious mom the first few weeks...but then I started to relax and enjoy the process. Rally, the baby, is such a good boy. I have a great situation where he can go out with the old gelding, who is perfect in the sense that he puts him in his place, but is tolerant of baby antics (and even let's Rally share his hay pile, which I never thought I'd see). My husband and I quickly established that when we handled him (we halter broke him and taught him to lead) we expected him to behave himself--he could be a hooligan the rest of the time, but needed to mind his manners once a halter and lead were on.

We treat him just like the grown-up boys. And I quickly figured out that there was less of a need to have structured lessons each day versus just taking advantage of opportunities to expose him to new stuff. If I was clipping Rocky, for example, I'd walk over and let Rally sniff the clippers. He has no problem with me clipping his bridle path now. We vaccum him (he loves that!) and groom him, just keeping the sessions very short to fit his very short attention span. He ponies off both Rocky and Merlin, and thinks it's fun to be a big boy and go out with them on hacks. We make sure to never make anything a big deal, and he just goes with the flow. He was walking on and off the horse trailer the first week he came, and then has trailered a handful of times with Rocky or Merlin, who are very calm and nonchalant about the whole process.

It has really been the most rewarding experience for me, and it's nice to be able to put the time into him at an early age and bring him along. It does take patience...patience when dealing with baby moments and patience to wait for him to grow up. And I had to learn really quick that babies move and react a lot quicker than grown-up horses; I got kicked twice in the thigh in a week when Rally spurted forward while I was leading him and kicked out. We nipped that in the bud, but you really cannot let your guard down because stuff happens fast and they don't always know better.

It does help to have my husband involved because some things do take 2 people, but I try to do as much as I can on my own. My goal is to have a pony (or maybe small horse) that I can go off and ride, trailer, and compete on my own. :)

Here's pics of how he's come along since I got him (starting with most recent photos):
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009858&l=47110&id=1059684218

[FlashGordon]

I think every horse person should do the baby thing at least once. Just for entertainment/educational value. :lol:

When I was 17, an AQHA breeder who was liquidating gave me a pretty chestnut filly. She was 8 months old at the time and virtually unhandled. The dam was a major B!tch, but the stud was a doll. I guess I hoped the filly would take after her daddy??

Her and I did quite well for the first year or so. I taught her to lead, crosstie, groomed her daily, handled her feet, etc. Then one day when I went into her stall, she swung her backside around and went at me-- I'd say that was a turning point in our relationship.

From that point on it was a power struggle! Like her dam, she had plenty of scare tactics she liked to whip out to intimidate people. Being young, and naive, and not terribly assertive, I did not nip it in the bud like I should have.

I was smart enough to stick her with a trainer for awhile when she was about 2.5, and they had a few "come to jesus" moments. After that she was typically fine, and under saddle she was lovely. A fantastic mover, fabulous work ethic, very willing and soft and just a nice ride. So I didn't fail completely. ;)

But, we were just two personalities who did not mesh and never would. I finally sold her when she was 5. I'm much more the laid-back gelding type of gal. I don't enjoy a horse that is constantly challenging my authority.

I've toyed with the idea of getting another baby, but would probably go with something 2-3ish. Temperament is now #1 in my book and it'd be nice to have something with the right brain that was trained (by a pro) to my own specifications, with no baggage! Maybe someday.

[EqTrainer]

Haha Flash! I keep thinking I see a Dinky in your future. But he won't be dinky then, he sticked 16.1 yesterday :lol:

[pintopiaffe]

It partly depends on the baby too.

A rescue--while wonderfully intentioned--or a high calibre FEI prospect might not be the best choice for a first foal.

You want a foal from parents whose temperaments you know and admire. From a breeder who does the basics of handling and respect--ideally from a mare who is a great broodmare, not one who lets her kids walk all over her (literally! :eek: )

I spend a great deal of time and effort breeding for "the first-time foal owner." For the person who is ready to raise their own from scratch. Having plenty of foal raising experience working on a 4,250 acre ranch with 110 +/- horses... then interning at breeding farms etc... I STILL wouldn't touch some foals I meet. The worst *can* be the 'imprinted, haltersleadsclipsbathestiestrailersandtakesshortha nd' types. Not always, but usually. :lol:

I look for a foal that has been allowed to be a HORSE first of all. Preferably raised with other foals and mares in a herd situation where it's learned some social skills and more importantly, the finesse of deferring to 'the boss.' Which now becomes me. ;)

With the right foal, even more novice horsepersons can often do fine. You hear of quite a few lovely success stories with PMU foals and novices--mostly due to temperament and type.

I believe it's ideal if you've gone beyond the 'first horse' stage, to having at least started one horse under saddle, preferably started a couple or maybe restarted. Usually by then you are ready to take the plunge and get more bang for your buck. You want more quality at a lower price, and also have decided you'd really prefer to not be fixing someone else's mistakes... or at the least undoing someone else's idea of training.

You have a place for said weanling or yearling with PLENTY of turnout and socialization. And you have a fetish for halters and leadropes, since halters will be outgrown on a regular basis and leadropes... let's just say you should like collecting them. :yes:

[FlashGordon]

Haha Flash! I keep thinking I see a Dinky in your future. But he won't be dinky then, he sticked 16.1 yesterday :lol:

OMG EqT don't tell me that! I'd come down and get him. ;) I have to stop stealing your horses!!

[caffeinated]

I got mine as a weaner when I was 23. I had been riding since I was 7, but was never a particularly fabulous rider, and had little training experience really. I'm not sure what made me think it was a good idea, but it turned out just fine. :)

I did make a few mistakes here and there- he's now a bit spoiled and sometimes acts more like a dog than a horse. Oops.

But starting him, and all that stuff, went much easier than I expected. I think it went OK largely because I did a lot of preparation work. I took him for walks, ponied him, introduced him to tack early, etc.

I think also I made a good choice of type/breed for my first baby. He's a TB/perch cross, and the temperament was easy to deal with. I think that I may not have been so lucky with a hotter type of horse, or more highly bred athletic one. Going to a farm that has had success producing good, fun, amateur type horses was probably a good decision for me :)

Luck also played a role, I think. He got off the truck and practically crawled into my lap- he's always been really fond of people and attention, and willing to please.

I think if I had to do things over, the main thing I would change is early boarding arrangements. He didn't really have playmates when I first got him, other than a donkey. And I think if we had been in a place with more professional supervision, a few of the glitches we have had wouldn't have happened.

In any case, I don't think I knew I was "ready" for it, it was more of a whim. But in the end, even with some of the issues (a soundness problem, and a weird girthing issue that can be quite scary), it's really cool to have a horse that I know so well. I know bonds develop with any horse, and that you can get to know any horse so well, but it's hard to explain how deeply connected I feel to him. Everything we do together is as natural as breathing :)

[JenRose]

Almost a year ago I purchased my first "baby", a 10 month old Hano X filly.

I have also been riding for a little over 20 years.

Here is how I rationalized it for myself:

I have my own farm and could provide plenty of room and excellent care for a growing youngster.

My current show horse is a 15 year old OTTB that I have owned since he was 3 and I was 16. I knew he was getting older and I wanted to have a project that I could be bringing along so he can retire one of these days! Although he may outlast me and the filly!! :winkgrin:

I was looking for an EASY ammy friendly horse. I studied stallions who are known for passing on wonderful temperments. I found a perfect flashy filly by Cabalito in my price range.

I LOVE to groom...brushing, bathing, clipping, etc. All these are things that I knew I would enjoy teaching a young horse to do. My now almost 2 year old is an an old pro about all of the above and more!

I have a great support system. My little sis rides (better than me, lol!) and will most likely be the person who sits on my girl for the first time. I will probably also have her put some show miles on my filly as well to make sure she is ready for my amateur a$$! :lol: I also have access to an amazing young horse trainer who I will have on hand to make sure we are going in the right direction.

I love to read. I am constantly researching nutrition, training, etc.

I had no idea how rewarding and how much fun having a baby on the farm would be! Go for it & be sure to keep us all posted!! :D

[greysandbays]

Babies are just like horses -- only more so.

Anyway, how much harder can it be to do something from scratch than to try to fix somebody else's screw-ups?

[fordtraktor]

We bred my quarter pony when I was 14 after winning a "free breeding" to a nice stallion at Congress. Well, it was a blast. That little colt did everything and went everywhere. As a 4 month old, we took him and his momma to a show. He laid down and took a nap beside the ring, all four legs stuck out, while she was showing.

As with any horse, but particularly with babies, you must be the dominant one in the relationship. If you are worried that you won't be able to lay down the law (in a benevolent way, of course), you are not ready to raise a baby.

[caffeinated]

Anyway, how much harder can it be to do something from scratch than to try to fix somebody else's screw-ups?

PLus, they don't know when you're doing something wrong.

:D

[BuddyRoo]

Honestly?

If you've been "in horses" for awhile and have the ability to read them and the timing to make a correction before a serious problem arises, then you might just find raising a baby SIGNIFICANTLY easier than taking on a 3, 4, 5 YO who has had a less than stellar experience to date or just hasn't been handled much.

The reason I mention the timing aspect is that babies have a short attention span and do not have the life experience (obviously) so you have to pay attention to things like...
-is the horse scared?
-checking out?
-confused? Do I need to try another way?

Also...being able to think outside the box a bit helps too. IE: trying to teach whoa and not getting it in hand? Fine. Walk up to a wall, say whoa. Using tools outside your normal scope kind of stuff. If that makes sense.

Anyway....I've had my mare since she was born. We owned her dam. That was nearly 18 years ago. I was only 12 when she was born and I started her when she was just days old--handling, leading, tying....I think that having a gung ho kid with endless excitement and patience and lots of time has helped make her the horse she is today.

Conversely....even though I guess I'd say I'm relatively experienced, I've run into some nutjob horses that I don't enjoy working with at all...screwed up at a young age often by a well meaning but clueless owner.

Good luck!

[BlueEyedSorrel]

It partly depends on the baby too.



YES. I would buy a weanling or yearling, so you can see the temperment, rather than breed. *voice of experience here* With breeding, you never know what you're going to get.

I bred my mare Missy while in I was in college. I was hoping for a horse with Missy's sensitivity, just a little toned down. Well, as the Stones sing, you can't always get what you want.:lol: The baby (Pixie, who COTHers may remember as the challenging little sorrel mare with a penchant for hurting herself) turned out to be a strong willed little thing. The response to every new experience was a tantrum, particularly if the new experience involved someone being the boss of her. First time putting the halter on (as opposed to just rubbing it around her head or draping it over her face) resulted in 45 minutes of bucking, shaking the head, rolling etc and it only ended when she was huffing and sweaty. Being that this was my first baby, I thought it was a normal reaction, until others talked about their sweet, compliant foals who were ho hum about things. Still, I did OK (dumb luck and a 20 year old's lack of fear) and had Pixie leading, picking up feet and tying by the time I went back to school. My father had promised to continue the ground work.....which didn't happen.

I think the baby did some typical weanling antics, scared Dad and he just stopped doing much with her. Big mistake. We ended up with a yearling, then a 2 year old who was pushy and dominant. With a more laid back baby, I don't think it would have gotten so bad, but Pixie really needed more consistent handling. End result was lots of money spent to undo our mistakes. My trainer says that he has never seen a horse that is so attuned to a person's ability to handle her (or not), and so quick to take advantage, so I don't think it was just that I was a novice with babies. Through the genetic roll of the dice, I got a foal that was anything but the ideal first foal.

Pixie is now 7, going on 8 and is just now starting to be a horse I like working with. I love that my girl is so smart (when she uses her powers for good and not evil:lol:). She's still difficult, but the idea that humans are a higher power seems to finally have stuck in her head. It's worked out in the end, but there are a lot of things I would have done differently. On the bright side, any other horse now seems easy....
BES

[FancyFree]

I think every horse person should do the baby thing at least once. Just for entertainment/educational value.

I agree. It's such a great experience. Sure, it has it's ups and downs, but I highly recommend it. I've had my girl since birth and I think this is the closest bond I've ever had with one of my horses.

[redears]

Hmm good question.

My baby will be 6 this spring, I got him while he was still with mom (mom was boarded at the barn I boarded my other horse at). I was probably not experienced enough, but through help of my fellow boarders, online communities, and a little common sense, I made it through fine. I DID send him to a trainer to be started under saddle when he was 3, but almost all of the ground work until then I had done myself, and it paid off, the trainer said he was very easy. It's not all me, he was an easy baby, with a goofy sense of humor and laid back attitude.

[Jaegermonster]

You are ready to raise your own baby when you reach that point in your horse life where you find you don't know everything about horses.
When you discover that every time you get on a horse, no matter what level it's training (or lack thereof) you realize that it has taught you something and you actually learned from that horse.
When you realize that other disciplines, yes even the Parelli people, all have something that you can learn and use and adapt to your own purposes.
And when you realize that there is nothing wrong and you are not a failure if you have to ask a trainer or other qualified person to help you once in a while.
When you realize that what you do with this young horse every time you are around him can affect his education and therefore his usefulness for the rest of his life, and you aren't raising a baby to prove to someone else that you can, you are ready to raise your first baby.

My first homebred is coming 6, and I almost drove myself nuts when I realized the awesome responsibility of raising and training a young horse (of doing it right, I guess i should say). I have never tried so hard in my life to do something well. And I sure made some mistakes, but nothing unfixable.
Just don't be too proud to admit that you don't know something, and don't be too proud to get someone to help you or even just a little tune up now and then.
It has been probably the most rewarding experience of my equine life raising this baby.

[classicsporthorses]

Wonderful advice here. As a breeder and one who also handles/trains youngters (from weanlings on up) for others, remember it is a process and a learning curve-for both of you.

I have raised/trained difficult youngters and ones that were so easy it was ridiculous-my stallion to name one. While the goals are the same the approach may be quite different for each horse-even full siblings!

When raising a foal one of the key elements is balance. I never "overdue" with mine or those I have. I remember first and foremost that they are horses and they have their own personalities, learning curves, fears, idiocyncrities etc. I watch and listen to my horses.

I tell people raising babies its like walking on egg shells. It's learning how to negotiate them that is key. Even the most laid back foals have a bad day.

All of the youngsters, and all of the horses for that fact, here know very clearly about boundaries, the expectations of good behavior and also that they are so well loved. Many times I go out in the pastures and just let them figure me out.

For me, these are my children, (yes, I have a daughter) but I say this b/c they are a reflection of me. I want to grow solid citizens first, give them a foundation to grow from or fall back on and also let them, within the boundaries, state their opinion to teach me about them.

Some of my own babies are adult horses now and I hear the compliments from others about them and like any proud mother I do beam. It's damn hard work and I have the overuse injuries to prove it ha ha. But I never tire of raising babies. I never tire of being the first one to teach them the skills, to be the first one to work them through their temper tantrums, to teach them to ground drive and of course I will never, ever tire of being the first person on their back.

My bond with those I have put on the ground and grown is so deep that I can't even explain it. It is so worth all of the blood sweat and tears, oh and some major smiles and laughs too!

[yankeeclipper]

For me it would depend on the personality of the horse and how much horsey support you have for those moments when you need an extra pair of hands. If none is the answer than you probably are not ready for a youngun no matter how much experience you have.

[Equsrider]

Mine is a Cabalito too! I picked him as a sire because he was known for passing such wonderful temperment!

[Stacie]

I second picking out a baby rather than breeding so you can choose the temperament. Find one you adore. I can honestly say, it was love at first sight when Wzen was born. I fall in love with her again every time I see her, rub her face and look into her big brown eyes.

Along with patience and love.. you cannot be afraid. You must have enough confidence that whatever happens you can deal with it. You must have enough confidence that the baby will look to you for guidance. You must have enough confidence to get in there and handle and work with the baby no matter what. They don't know anything and its up to you to teach it all to them. You have to be ready to scold or praise in a split second and know you're doing the right thing. Being strong doesn't hurt either :lol:

It also helps if you have a baby who you trust to not want to hurt you. Not to say that he/she won't, but it's nice to know that is not his/her goal in life.