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Discussion on Getting 15 month old filly and need advice
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Member:
Danny
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 20, 2004 - 10:25 pm:
We are getting a 15 month old pony in around a month. She will arrive fresh from the field where she has always lived with other foals, broodmares, and other youngsters. When she arrives she will be halter broken and should be leading...that is all. She is friendly and inquisitive standing in the field with her buddies. We have never owned one so young and have always had horses that were already trained when we bought them so we are naturally a little unsure of how to begin. We don't want to make mistakes if we can help it.I was wondering what kind of program any of you would use when getting a youngster that has had some handling but not a lot. Do you keep them in a stall in the beginning and only have one person work with them? Do you turn them out with other horses or turn them out alone in the beginning so they only look to you as the leader? Are there any good books out there anyone can recommend?
Debbie
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 20, 2004 - 11:14 pm:
Debbie, There are MANY good books for you to read . . . there are also many experienced horse owners who can share their expertise with you.
Cherry Hill has a great book (I think it is: THE FOAL: FROM BIRTH TO TWO YEARS) and John Lyons has one called BRINGING UP BABY. There are many bending/suppling exercises you can do from the ground (Clinton Anderson's tapes are excellent) that will help immensely when you finally decide to back the horse . . . and using consistent, correct leading and ground handling methods each time you work with the pony is very important.
You will make mistakes when training. Mistakes are inevitable . . . but they are not irreversible . . . horses forgive when treated with kindness, firmness and consistency. . . .
Best to you as you embark on this new horsemanship adventure.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 21, 2004 - 7:07 am:
Before you turn the pony loose you may want to keep him stalled until he consistantly comes up to you. Next you might try a paddock with a pasture buddy next to him who is known for nonaggresive behavior. Again once the pony is cosistantly coming up to you and getting along with his buddy you can turn him loose.
You will often find that the answers to your specific questions depend on both the personality of the horse and your goals. The first thing you have to learn is that while there are specific methods to achieve specific objectives there are no cookbook timetables. Also you will find there are many methods to achieve the same objective. You must evaluate your horses needs, your goals and your abilities to make judgements on which technique and time table suits your situation. Consistency is the key to getting your horse to understand what you want.
DrO
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Member:
Goolsby
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 21, 2004 - 8:25 am:
When I got my rescue colt I kept him alone in a corral with attached stall for three reasons. To quarantine him from the others incase he had something communicable. To gain his trust as we couldn’t even touch him for the first week or two. Then to get him acquainted with the other 3 slowly over a fence as they were some aggressive towards him at first.
I think it might be best to have others work with him also (if you can). Both my colts trust me and will lead, pick up feet etc. for me, but when someone else comes near them they are very apprehensive.
Good luck
Colleen
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Member:
Horsepix
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 21, 2004 - 8:37 am:
I agree that there is no cookbook or timetable to this. It greatly depends upon the pony's personality. I wouldn't leave a youngster stalled, but I would try to slowly intiate them to the herd. Perhaps by turning out in an adjacent paddock or round pen if possible.
One thing to remember is that youngsters don't know anything. You have to teach them everything, from how to behave to picking up feet, etc. Its a long road, but you'll have a fantastic relationship with this pony when its over.
I'd recommend the Monty Roberts book (The Man Who Listens to Horses) as it gave me a great understanding of how horses communicate with each other in a herd environment. This will be important since your new pony has more experience with living in a herd than dealing with people. 
Get yourself a few books so that you can get different ideas and decide what methods work best for this pony. There are a lot of things that can be done in the next year and half to ensure that backing your new pony will be a pleasant experience for you both.
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Member:
Danny
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 21, 2004 - 6:20 pm:
Thank you everyone for such quick responses. You've given me lots of ideas and I am off to the tack store in the morning to buy some books. We can't wait to get this little girl here and have fun raising her. I am sure that once she is here I will have more questions...
Debbie
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Member:
Skye
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 - 10:01 am:
Kelly Marks has a very helpful book, too: Teach Your Horse Perfect Manners.
Good luck!
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