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Post by revelrat on Jan 27, 2010 11:48:34 GMT -1
Hello everyone!
I've decided to come out of the realms of lurkingdom now I've taken the plunge and I'm soon to be a Dales pony owner!
Just a question to those who have/had foals and or yearlings. The youngest I've had is a 2 year old so I'm finding the prospect of a 9 month old very daunting!
How much do you do with your foals/yearings?
Thanks in advance!
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Post by harleydales on Jan 27, 2010 11:55:39 GMT -1
Hi and welcome to the board!!
I've never had a yearling or foal either, but have helped with some and all we really did was general halter work, getting them to lead, stand, tie and load, also taught them to left their feet. Just general socialising and instilling good behaviour from early on.
Where did you get your youngster? Tell us more and we lOVE pictures!!
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Post by greydales on Jan 27, 2010 13:58:16 GMT -1
Hi there and welcome!  As harleydales says really, just a lot of basic handling and getting them used to things they will encounter later in life - machinery, other animals, children etc. Work on gaining their trust from the ground, being leant over. Which pony are you buying? Looking forward to hearing about him/her! |
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Post by SuzieP on Jan 27, 2010 16:48:40 GMT -1
Hello and welcome!
No experience, so I won't venture to advise - but there are loads of people here who have managed youngsters and will give some ideas I'm sure.
Just wanted to welcome you and say that I'd like to see pics too..... ;D
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Post by revelrat on Jan 27, 2010 19:09:26 GMT -1
Thank you for the welcomes! General socialising will be done right from day one but my main query is will it be too early to be doing walks out and introducing to traffic this summer? I'm aiming for this one to be as bombproof as possible so will be doing lots of desensitising to scary objects eventually too. I'd better start with getting used to humans before we tackle anything more challenging though - baby steps!
Pony details and picture overload will follow on arrival!
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Post by Debbie on Jan 27, 2010 19:17:09 GMT -1
Oh no, by summertime he'll have built a good foundation with you and the walkies really help to reinforce that bond. He'll look to you in the scary situations. Welcome to Dalesfans I'm looking forwards to hearing about your lad. |
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Post by mickey on Jan 27, 2010 19:49:40 GMT -1
At long last |
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Post by lucydales on Jan 27, 2010 20:48:04 GMT -1
I beat mine with a large stick!
Hello and welcome!
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Post by harveydales on Jan 28, 2010 6:49:29 GMT -1
Hello and welcome! Love to hear more about your new baby. I seem to collect OAPs so can't advise on youngsters. |
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Post by SuzieP on Jan 28, 2010 7:38:06 GMT -1
I beat mine with a large stick! Hello and welcome! ROFL Luce! You big fibber! Revelrat - do NOT believe Luce, she's the kindest foalie mummy there is and is sorely tested by her gorgeous colt. Firmness and consistency is the key. |
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Post by cadeby on Jan 28, 2010 9:26:45 GMT -1
Looking forward to hearing all about your new baby. With our weanlings/yearlings all we do is leading, loading, tying, occasional walks on quiet roads (in company with an older, quiet pony and very short stretches on their own), introduction to farm machinery, etc... Usually only 15-20 minutes at a time as they lose concentration very quickly and never more than twice a week, if that  We don't show but a few trips out to small shows at an early age is an good investment for the future. If you read through "Tim's Blog" at the top of the Youngsters Section on this forum, you can see all of the education Lucy's colt Tim had in his first year, and it didn't involve sticks 
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Post by Anna on Jan 28, 2010 16:59:26 GMT -1
Hi and welcome!
We do much the same as above, bit of loading and travelling too, rugs on and off, travel boots on and off, lots of groundwork and leading/trotting in hadn etc. We also take our yearlings to a few shows to educate them on "parties" and outside trips as much as anything.
Lots of fun times ahead for you, enjoy your new one!
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Post by sammy on Jan 28, 2010 17:39:46 GMT -1
Hello it will be nice to see photos of your pony when it arrives, you must be excited  Brilliant advice from everyone on here, I like to have a clicker in my pocket at all times, along with a few treats. Having bought several ponies that had never had their feet picked up, ever!! (from yearlings to 4yr olds) I found that a click and a treat worked wonders. Maybe you should tell us what your new pony has experienced to date and we can help from there. Edited to add, I think Lucy loves her ponies and doesn't have a big stick!! |
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Ridgelane Duke 
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