good resources for raising a colt?

[old_grey_mare]

I have 0 experience with youngsters but am considering getting a colt (or filly) to raise. Some sort of draft, I think. Any recommendations? How about books or resources?

Thanks, in advance!

[EiRide]

I have 0 experience with youngsters but am considering getting a colt (or filly) to raise. Some sort of draft, I think. Any recommendations? How about books or resources?

Thanks, in advance!

OK, zero experience with youngsters or zero experience period??? I hope the first! If the second, uh, bad plan.

If the former, I would recommend you find someone with a breeding program and get a job or volunteer to learn first hand how to cope with babies. They are NOT like adults--they are both very fragile and also able to really, really hurt you without realizing it.

Cherry Hill has a really good book out, The Formative Years, which is birth to two years old, all the ground work stuff. Are you specifically interested in drafts or thinking draft because you think they might be easier?

FWIW, I've bred four of my own, foaled out several for other people and helped with or was paid to train a number of others in the basics of being civilized equine citizens.

My current little one is here, birth through 5 weeks:
http://www.silverstein.com/gallery/8388508_WWFCf#586879376_9naSR

[pines4equines]

I agree with Eileen. If you have zero experience then either work closely with a professional or get an older horse.

I'm not sure of your age but if you're older, as this horse gets a wee bit older, stronger, more robust, you'll be getting a wee bit older, less agile, etc. Not a terrific combination. Raising/training a horse from a weanling/yearling to going under saddle is a whole different animal than say getting an off the track TB and retraining to ride.

If you have tons of riding experience and are doing this, I would look up John Lyon's book Bringing Up Baby.

Good luck! Pictures too!

[hossluva]

I have 0 experience with youngsters but am considering getting a colt (or filly) to raise.

YIKES!!!! :eek:

[Patty Stiller]

I am assuming (hoping) the OP has Horse experience ,and is just lacking foal experience. Otherwise getting any green horse is a really bad idea.
IF it is only foal experience that is lacking then go ahead but study foal handling before you acquire one. Foals do not always react the same as grown horses and can hurt you or themselves a lot easier.
Along with Cherry Hills book, I recommend the book
"Foal to Five years" ,and also DVDs on foal handling available from Chris Cox or Clinton Anderson .

[pintopiaffe]

You know what? ALL of us who breed, start youngsters, or train, had to START somewhere.

If you're looking at youngsters, are you looking at a particular farm's program? Often that's the best place to start. Ideally for the 'first' you should have a good mentor. One whom you believe in their methods and knowledge. One who can help you avoid issues, but also can help you solve them should they come up.

I also think it's very important to get a youngster from a breeder who has placed foals with 'first time' foal owners before. There are some of us who specialize in that. You want someone whose stock has a history of being trainable and amicable. That doesn't mean they won't still be babies... but there's quite a bit of difference between someone breeding Ammy friendly foals for people to raise themselves, and someone breeding performance horses, or the PMU or 'rescue' types that have had little human interaction.

I'm NOT saying there's anything wrong with any of the latter, or that they are not admirable choices... Just that they *can* be challenges for people WITH experience, and might not be the best choice for someone's 'first' foal.

I do less with my youngsters than many folks. I expect them to have manners and behave and do all the things the big horses do--but for far, far less amounts of time. Some days five minutes of attention and then your quarter is up. I do like to get them out to an inspection or breed show as a foal or yearling if possible, for the exposure. But then they basically are just allowed to be horses, and to grow up.

Room and turnout are for me the most important aspect for a young horse, tying closely with 'adult supervision' and by that I mean an adult horse. Preferably one with manners and temperament you'd *like* the youngster to emulate.

I think a juvenile should lead reliably, pick feet up for the farrier, stand for grooming for reasonably short periods of time, and bathe/tolerate fly spray. *I* personally don't tie them before 2 years of age, other than loosely looping the lead. Personal choice, I feel the risk of damage to the neck is greater than the educational value. That's about all I do with them. Certainly people can do much, much more, and some of it is fabulous, but you don't want to make the youngster into a lap dog either--you *can* end up with some behavioural issues from that.

I think it's super that you're asking *ahead of time* for resources. And honestly, there are some good books and videos... there are perhaps some methods like NH that may or may not be what you're looking for, but you don't get experience without experience... so find a mentor and find a youngster that's a suitable 'first foal.'

[old_grey_mare]

Thank you for everyones input. I've read these pages long enough to take comments with a grain of salt.

I had a horse as a teenager---got out of horses, got married, kids, and back into horses about 4 years ago. We bought a 19 yr old Percheron/QH 'been there done that' and she taught us all VOLUMES!! She has since retired and we bought a 4 yr old 3 years ago with very little training. It was a great experience learning from him and teaching him. My daughter (16 yrs old) is now eventing him novice level and looking at training before long. So, yes, we have some experience with horses---but have not had the experience of being at a barn where there has been any bred mares or foals around. Never had an OTTB either as TB don't interest me much. I love the brains of the drafts. I think that's why I am drawn to them.

Thank you for the book references. I will look at getting them. I very much appreciate everyone's .02.