New kid on the block

Chelsey

Clownfish Addict
Premium Member
I went home yesterday to see the new baby horse. He's a week old. Thought you might like to see some pics :) He's an ornery little bugger :lol:

icanfly.jpg


notscared.jpg


Is this supposed to taste good?
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I like this better
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portrait.jpg


running.jpg


struttinhisstuff.jpg
 
Chelsey, How much time and how much training is required do you figure , before a cute lil guy like that is ready for a saddle?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9542685#post9542685 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zt444a
Chelsey, How much time and how much training is required do you figure , before a cute lil guy like that is ready for a saddle?

If you're thinking about buying a youngster for Katie, DO NOT DO IT...it may not be a death sentence but it's definately a recipe for disaster.

In answer to your question, my opinion is that a colt should not be "started" until he's 3 years old. You can do ground work and some other stuff before then, but I definately would not get on his back until he's three. Again, that's my opinion, some people ride their horses when they're a year of age. From an anatomical standpoint they are nowhere near ready to carry significant weight at that point, and mentally they're incapable. It would be at least another three years after that that I would consider putting anyone other than an experienced rider on his back.

As with everything it depends on the horse, but if you're looking for a horse for Katie look for one that is 7 + years old or VERY VERY well trained and bombproof, but I wouldn't go for one less than 5 years old no matter what. PM me if you want more pointers for looking for a horse for Katie.


pdlwife1995, my personal equine is a mule. His name is Pride and he'll be two May 5th. Here's a pic of him from last summer. He's a little skinny in this pic and is still working on shedding his coat, but I think he's a handsome dude :)

Pridenew03.jpg
 
Chelsey,

Those leg markings are distinctive. I've seen them before once. Where do they come from?

Also, since you are in vet school, you probably know if this is true or an old wives tale. Is it true that if you have all white socks or no socks at all, the legs are stronger.
 
The leg markings are a result of the dun gene. Mules in particular tend to display dun markings heavier than horses. The dun gene can give leg barring and a line down the back. Pride's cross over his shoulders is also a modified version of the dun gene, but it comes from the donkey side of the gene pool...I've never seen a horse with a cross over their shoulders, it's always a donkey.

The leg markings thing is an old wives tale. That being said, white feet are softer and more prone to problems than horn colored or black feet. When a horse has white socks it almost always has a white hoof on that leg because the white carries down, so while their is some truth to it it's not completely true, the legs aren't stronger, the hooves are.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9543813#post9543813 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chelsey
If you're thinking about buying a youngster for Katie, DO NOT DO IT...it may not be a death sentence but it's definately a recipe for disaster.

In answer to your question, my opinion is that a colt should not be "started" until he's 3 years old. You can do ground work and some other stuff before then, but I definately would not get on his back until he's three. Again, that's my opinion, some people ride their horses when they're a year of age.

No!!! I would not put my daughter together with a youngster like that, not for riding anyhow. Just curious, you see racing horses that are 3 years old, and I was just wondering why so young... I suppose many times they break down before their time. Sad when you think about it...

I'd not mind seeing Katie grow up with a horse like that though, if we had the time, and the money. Sort of learning from the ground up as far as care goes. Where she rides they have given me some decent recommendations for horses for her. She rode a 4 yr old twice, but then they mentioned that Katie did not like to listen (typical 6 yr old), so until she listens better she rides a more gentle horse.
 
Good, I am VERY glad to hear that :) It would be cool if you bought her an older mare that was perfect for Katie and then bred the mare and kept the foal to grow up with Katie as you were talking about doing.
 
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