Advice Needed

[AleandraOwens20]

Ok, I really don't need flaming here-I know what i'm about to say is going to send someone on me about this, but read the whole post before responding...


So, I'm getting my uncle's colt. For some of you who know me, this will be my first horse. I am aware a green horse and a green owner is not the best idea. But I have been around horses since I was 5. I know how to handle and ride a horse. So I really wouldn't consider myself a noob when it comes to horses.


He will be arriving sometime in late October-Early November at 6-7 months old. He's halter broke, and will be driven cross country.

I NEED help with his transporting though...if anyone knows someone going from somewhere in NY to somewhere in CA and can bring along a horse please e-mail me at jessicalovescupcake@hotmail.com

Other than that, can anyone reccomend a transporting company? So far every quote I have gotten has been close to 3,000 for a box stall. Does he need a box stall? Everyone says their more comfertable, and it's his first time traveling, but I just do not have that kind of money ready in three months. So far I've found someone on Uship that will take him for 1500, and if I don't use them I might ask my brother to take him for 1000, although my brother has NO horse experience.


Once he arrives, the first 6 months will be ground training. After that the next year he will just be frequently lunged, first with just a halter then next with a bridle then next with a saddle then next with a bridle and saddle, review ground manners, and take him for walks on the trails near the house so he gets used to being on the trail. When he turns two, I will hire a prof. trainer skilled in working with breaking horses to help me break him in and ride him on the trails and in the arena.

Random/Dumb Question-When is the best age to geld a colt?


The reason I'm taking him is-quite frankly, he's a gorgeous and friendly colt, he's very smart and just needs the right person to train him. He's very gentle and a tad shy by nature, but he is very very loving. Basically, I really really like him. Next, my uncle is probably not going to make it another year in his house. The economy is really affecting him, and he can barely afford the payments on his house, let alone feeding/properly caring for his horses. And he's going to get rid of him anyways, I seriously doubt he has the money to geld him so he doesn't mate with his two mares.


Another random/dumb question-how much is a vet visit on average?? Before leaving my uncle's I will be paying for a vet to come out and make sure he's healthy and to give him a coggins vacation and any other shots he may need.

[AleandraOwens20]

Also-as bad as this sounds...


I need some tips on working with ground manners...and lunging.


I will be teaching him to:

-crosstie
-let me groom him (any advice on teaching him to pick up his feet?)
-load
-bathe


I need tips for all. =X He will not have any prior training, mind you. Unless I spend the next week with him training, although I doubt he'll remember.

Anddddd....is there any way to lunge him without a whip? Like, just guide him with my body movements and hands? I've heard of joining up with horses, and essentially want to do that, but i also want to be able to lunge him.

[Alasse]

I really hate to say this, but a green owner and a green horse is a VERY bad idea. If you had horse experience as you say would realize this is not flaming but a very real concern. (and yes i read the whole this through)

A young horse can be very quickly made into a spoilt rotton nightmare by a misguided well meaning owner. A spoilt horse is very often a dangerous horse. Colts can be a handful, especially once his hormones cut in. I would be ringing a vet and enquiring about gelding him at the very least.

Please please really think this through.

Horse are expensive, very expensive! Regular Food, Dentist, Farrier work, Worming, Tack, Housing (agisting if required), Rugs, etc

Floating or Transporting when required, as you have found out is not cheap

Vets, gawd, let me say, brace yourself *L* Call out fees, medication, transport etc can be a nightmare. And if you think a horse wont hurt itself on a Sunday (when it cost double the normal amount) at some ungodly time of the night which will require a vet, you are sadly mistaken, i know, when i had my 2 horses, the only time they got hurt/sick was Sundays *LOL* Thousands quickly mount up in some cases.

Every horse is different in what ways to go about teaching things, there are no set hard and fast rules in that.

[MokeyBird]

Can't help you with transport.

Gelding can take place as soon as he has dropped.

And despite everything you believe, this is one of the worst ideas in the world. For the horse's sake, I hope you succeed, but have my doubts. Just coming from my 10 years of working with babies.

Find a trainer now, before you get him. Have the trainer come out and work with him, and have you watch/help. Have the trainer train you. If you are in northern CA by chance, I know of the BEST person for you to call. She's a gem and would help you with wonders. She is cheap, a sweetheart, and GOOD.

Training horses is NOT fun if you are unguided. If you screw up(and everyone who has trained horses has screwed up a few) then you have to spend mucho money to get it "fixed" and some things can't be fixed. It is safer, cheaper, and MUCH better in the longrun to have your horse professionally trained.

Why don't you want to use a whip? The whip is merely an extension of your arm.

Join up is a very simple thing, that takes a lot of knowledge to attain. Again, it is better to have someone show you.

If I were you I would buy/borrow/steal some of Clinton Anderson's training videos. You cannot learn how to train a horse going off of videos and books alone, you really need someone to show you for best results, but Clinton Anderson is one of the most understandable of the Video Series Horse Trainers. He's great, and it is well worth the money. If you have RFD TV, check out his TV program. I'll look for some videos for you.

[AleandraOwens20]

thank you to both of you!

I found someone who will take him in a box stall for me for 1600. =]

I will get a trainer (Im in southern CA Mokeybird. =[). And I'll look up those videos. I have read a lot of books and I will watch those videos as well.

Also-I'm aware of the costs of owning a horse, my mother is to as she will be the one paying for most of the care.

I'm running out the door right now, but I'll make another post when I get back that makes more sense! =P

[AleandraOwens20]

OKkKKKKkkk


WELL,

My uncle informs me today when we have already planned this all out that he has promised the colt to his ex girlfriend's daughter. REALLY? REALLY? She's like, 12. WTF is she going to do with him...she's like...12.

Whatever. I spose it's for the better anyways, I was looking at a QH that used to be ridden at a riding stable and I already made an appointment with the lady.

I was thinking about it, and I don't think I could have done it anyways. I barely have the self-confidence to drive a car (I keep thinking i'm gonna kill somone, or myself. XP) ,let alone break in a colt.

[MokeyBird]

Under supervision I broke my first weanling to lead at 12. Let us hope she is well guided for the horse's sake.

That is very relieving news, I must say. Anything older and well broke is the bestway to go when you have limited horse experience. The best broke ones are teachers and friends. They are your partner. Horses are so much more fun when they have already gone through their education and know everything a riding horse is supposed to know. You can do so much more with them. When we start, the horse is the one that should know more than us.

[MokeyBird]

BTW, as soon as you make 15 posts on the other forum, you should come by the chatroom. There is always a party. :)

[AleandraOwens20]

ahahaha that 12 year old has never even ridden a horse as far as I can tell. She also doesn't know left from right on a horse and when I asked her her plans for teaching him groundmanners she goes "...wut?" So, over the next few days I'm going to show her what groundmanners are and attempt to teach the foal to pick up its feet and lead (he's already halter broke, he just won't lead)


Well, I'd imagine it'd be better, but my problem is I dunno if he'll be TO gentle. I mean, I don't want a horse thats just going to walk and trot for me and thats it. I want a horse thats got some kick, but not to much. XD And my other problem is-he's only 15 hh, but he's the only horse in my expierence and price range (the owners even said if they liked me I could have him for little to nothing as well). But I'm 5'10. Don't know if this is going to work...XD

p.s: I dunno your UN, but you'll see me, my UN is my name lolol. And where should I make 15 posts? I don't want to spam up the place but I'm gonna sound like an idiot with all those horse-smart people.

[MokeyBird]

Introduce yourself. Look at the Horse Talk section, there is a general section, Horse Breeds would be a good place to post, and there are cute foal pics in the breeding section. Just look around and start participating.