4 mos old filly..how hard could it be?

[RockyToggRanch]

I asked the seller about the legs. She said the filly doesn't have any swelling and definately not a bowed tendon. The stuff on the hock was muck as she said the horses were filthy when they arrived and it's too cold for a bath. The mom is a paint and the dad a qh cross. Both about 15H. (Smaller than both my geldings).

Pat, I wondered about the whole "girl in heat" situation. I recently let my togg goat dry up and she has been in heat twice. She is an awful witch and torments both of the horses. (She's my only goat, so far.) But the horses just brush her off. Once in a while one may nudge her away. I know it's not the same thing, but I think it says something about their tolerance level.

The seller says that her 3 yr old daughter leads this filly around and she has perfect manners. This is a horse rescued with 6 others, including the mom, who belonged to a lady that could no longer afford to feed them. They never had any grain until now.

As far as me having support. I don't have any professional friends, but do know of some trainers in the area. The man that built my barn is a horse farmer. I'm sure he'd help for a few bucks. Although he's tried to convince me to put down my older horse and by a younger one. No thanks.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

Oh..what would be a fair price for her?

 

[Momo]

I would have to advise you against it. As others have said, sometimes people do this and it works out great because (1) they have an inherent leadership/training ability and are able to read a horse unusually well for their level of experience, AND (2) they luck out and get a "born broke" individual. But that's the exception rather than the rule. (And BTW I also am less than impressed with the filly's conformation.)

The basic difference between working with a young horse vs an older horse is that learning to work with seasoned horses is like learning to use a computer. It's complex but can be mastered. Working with a young horse is like *programming* a computer and if you take it on before you're ready you may really regret it (and you may suffer a hit to your confidence that has long-term implications for your enjoyment of horses). Even after young horses have been well started under saddle, they're unpredictable for quite some time and (unless possessed of an unusually stable temperament) are simply less safe than a horse with some experience.

Unless you are a very bold rider with access to experienced and capable help (and I mean experienced in training youngsters to be brave, well rounded citizens), it's too soon for you to attempt this. Patience, Grasshopper!

 

[Momo]

Okay I just read your last post and it doesn't look like you have the support you would need to take on this project. Not all trainers are created equal by any means; anyone can call themselves a horse trainer and many of them should be steered clear of. Baby paint rescue horses are a dime a dozen, BTW. As for the seller, it is irresponsible to let a 3 year old lead a baby horse so she may not be all that knowledgeable herself. I know how tempting something like this can be - trust me, I've been there - and I hate to rain on your parade, but I really think you should pass on this one.

 

[PortageGirl]

Title of your thread,,,, "4 mos old filly..how hard could it be?"

Answer is... "Hard."

Next question to ask... "Too hard?"

Next answer... "Up to you but probably not!"

Foals and yearlings, (which this one will be in a week or so) are active, curious, test you like a toddler [edit - but keep in mind a 100 pound toddler] or a teenage kid, they're interested, playful, need attention, kindness, reinforcement of good, discouragement from bad, a firm hand, and lots of love.

Since you can't do much more than gentle them and get them used to good handling till they're 2, you have lots of time to figure out more before now and then. She'll take cues from your geldings, if they are calm and quiet, she'll follow their lead. If you're confident around them, and they around you, she'll learn from that.

You can ground train them a bit, keep her used to being led around, get her used to a blanket across her back as a yearling etc, but nothing more than that!

It's a long term commitment till she's 2. Maybe a light saddle [edit when she's nearly 2,,, as in 20 mos or so, depending on how well developed she is] , but no bit, and NO WEIGHT!!! You have lots of time to learn before she's ready for more.

If you have a safe barn, a safe paddock or pasture, and access to a good vet, good feed... and you want her and can give her the time and care she deserves... *shrugs* go for it. (OH, and if you aren't too proud to ask for help and advice, even better (which it appears you aren't so you're good to go there too))

 

[RockyToggRanch]

OOOhhhh....I have little voices from each ear saying "do it" and then "nooo you crazy old fool" and then "why not? you can handle it" and then "be real..you're NOT a cowgirl".

So, I'll sleep on it and try not to look at her picture for awhile. Maybe even look for a half dead lesson horse instead. No, really I need some young blood. I may just go see her. IDK!

 

[Cara]

I agree with many of the other posters; training is a lot more about instinct than it is about following steps in a book or on a TV show. It's about knowing when something is about to happen, and averting it, rather than getting out of a situation in one piece. There are only so many times anyone can luckily avoid an accident unfortunately

It really worries me that anyone would let a 3 yr old handle a 4 month old filly. They are not big pets, and an overly familiar horse will get you hurt far quicker than handling a bronc will. The most concerning thing is the lack of judgement; it's just plain ignorant to do that, all horses are unpredictable by nature.

As good as it feels to rescue an animal, there are some that just are a bad bet. There are plenty of good, gentle horses that need rescuing too. If she was not well taken care of in the first four months of her life, it really will have a great bearing on her future. She looks like she may be stunted, which causes the strange looking conformation. Conformation isn't about being pretty or ugly so much as it is about staying sound and being 'useful'.

With the market being the way it is you can pick and choose, and in your position i'd try to stack the deck in my favor rather than against myself.

 

[Cetawin]

Well here is my 2 cents woth for wht it is worth.

First, she is only 4 months old so aside from general manners, there is very little to train at this point.

You are going to be waiting a good year and a half before the real ground work starts and I would not even think about or attempt to put a saddle on her until she hits at least 3 years old.

At 46 years old (then) are you going to be in the mood to break a horse?
Are you going to have consistency and daily routine for training?
Are you going to try to do it alone?
Is there a good back-up plan in place if I cannot handle it alone?


Think on those things and ask yourself those questions and decide.

I think she could be a wonderful companion...I do agree with the conformation be a bit off. She is not a ribbon winner so it depends on what you want her for.

Do check the front leg carefully and thoroughly when you see her face to face. It could be hair, could be the way the pic was taken or it could be a real problem.

Good luck with you decision.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

I have an excellent team of vets and all of my animals get the best feeds and 2nd cut hay. They are well taken care of, but that's not my concern. Can a 42 yr old beginner handle a filly? I guess the answer SHOULD be "if that's what she wants bad enough".

I'm going to sign up for riding lessons tomorrow. I will reconsider this particular horse. I am serious about riding and building my confidence with horses. I have 60 acres of beautiful trails surrounded by state and county forests. How can I not have trail horses?

My common sense says I should wait for a young, trained, trail safe horse. Dammit!

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
I think that is a wise decision. ****hugs**** I understand how difficult it is to say no to a sweet little thing like that.

As a beginner, the issue of training a filly is not the big one...the real issue is whether or not you have the drive to see it through, know what to do when a problem comes up and how to correct it.

Horses are rarely born knot heads but they can sure be turned into one with improper training, inexperienced trainers or inept trainers. Take your spare time to attend some training seminars, talk to various trainers...read read and read some more.

As a beginner, look for a good bomb proof trail horse that a 4-H er has outgrown...they make great companion pets and often have good common sense and help the rider when trouble comes about.

Good luck and congrats on starting your riding lessons.