[HollyLolly]

Hi, this is my first proper post on this site...
Next month I'm getting a wild, 6 month old, New forest colt. I was wondering, is it a good idea to start doing join up with him at this age, or wait until he's older. To be honest I want him to get as used to me as possible, as he's not even halter broken.
I know how to break a horse, because I broke my mare (well, she'd been broken but traumatised by a motorcycle then not ridden since, so took the same amount of effort to get her trust and respect before I could even think about backing her)
Also, what is the best age to break him? I know it shouldn't be younger than two, and also, is it neccessary to turn away, if so, what age?

Thanks in advance
HollyLolly

 

[heyycutter]

id break him to wear a halter and to walk on a lead, and do trusting excersises and work on him letting you brush him, and picking up feet, but otherwise, id wait til hes at least 2 before starting any sort of breaking to ride

 

[HollyLolly]

Ok, thanks for your help

 

[HollyLolly]

I'm not sure yet, but with him being wild, I don't think I'll be able to get near him, do you think it would be safe to do some join up with him so I can get near him?

 

[TwisterRush]

i think join up, and other trusting excersizes will help you alot with him

 

[KristinJ]

I agree! I would do some join up exercises, however, if he is very scared and shows NO sign of giving in I wouldn't run him into the ground trying to ask for some respect, if you know what I mean =)

 

[Beling]

When our filly first arrived, what she missed most was the herd, and she immediately linked up with our very old mare, who wasn't too pleased, but she had no choice. Because the mare was so old and people-friendly, it was a natural progression for the filly to get tame. The first contact I had was with the shedding blade, gently scratching an itch. Oh, she loved that! We became friends right away. We got her when she was about 1 1/2.

 

[heyycutter]

yeah i think joinups would be fine, but like someone else said dont run him into the ground.
as for getting him used to you, try just spending time with him alot everyday. not touching him, but just being present on the property, like reading a book or cleaning or something so he gets used to seeing you alot

 

[SavvyHearts]

I think that for the first week to a month, give or take on the foal, just sitting in the pasture for an hour or more, reading a book or drawing will show him that you aren't here to hurt him
I did that with my rescued Mustang mare when I first got her. She was not halter broken when I got her

 

[HollyLolly]

Thank you all so much for your help