Getting Flack from another board

[KrazyHorses]

I recently got a Clydesdale colt (19 months old). He has just started showing some mild stallion behavior and I have an appointment scheduled for this Monday morning for him to be gelded.

I've only had horses for about four years. I have a been-there-done-that, older TWH gelding that I ride.

Now, some of the people who have a lifetime of experience with horses are telling me that I have no business trying to raise a baby, especially a draft. They say I should get another older gelding. I don't want another riding horse.

I don't plan on riding the baby draft anytime soon. I have a trainer lined up to work with him here at my place and I also have a trainer I'm going to send him off to for 30 days of groundwork, manners, desensitizing, etc.

I'm not trying to train him myself or ride him myself. I will pay for those services. I like his personality, breed, color (red roan), etc.

He's very sweet and with gelding, age, and training I expect him to be a nice, laid back draft.

I kinda ticks me off that other people think they know what's best for you and just exactly what type of horse you should own just because they are more knowledgeable about horses then you are.

 

[MBennettp]

Boy do I understand! My feeling is that you know what you want and it sounds like you know your limitations. It is nobody else's business whether they think you are capable of taking care of this horse or not.

I have had horses for nearly 50 years, I got my first minis in the 70's but went a few years without horses and then suddenly everybody treated me like I didn't have a clue about feeding or taking care of them when I had minis when most people didn't even think about them and had horses long before some of them were even born.

I have had people try to tell me everything from how to clean out their feet to what type of fencing I should have.

It would really make sense to me for people to get to know a person before they start assuming that everybody is a moron but them.

 

[shminifancier]

Just let what those people say "go in one side and out the other" Some people "Think" they know everything~! Just ticks me off also.. Raising up a baby IMO is the best way to go, as I have done it for years when I got into Arabians...You can have lots of pleasure in saying "I did it myself" The beginning, the formative years in a horses life..I feel great pleasure in raising babies and seeing how they are later in life and saying...I did the very early years of training as a baby..There is a lot of love and me into that horse now. and what an accomplishment that is a nice warm feeling inside.

So pay them no mind... It is Your horse,, and Your time that is going into this baby, and let them go and take their ranting and raving to others..

 

[KrazyHorses]

Thanks

It really starts to wear you down after awhile and makes you start doubting yourself. I hate that. Those so called 'pros' weren't born knowing everything there is to know about horses. I look forward to learning new things from horses and relish each experience.

 

[MeadowRidge Farm]

I think you already have half the battle won..you have a plan on what you are going to do and when.

I think raising a baby from scratch is the best way to go, your not dealing with any bad habits (or at least none that you yourself dont know about!) If you take it slow you will be just fine. My hubby is a draft horse man, and about 3 yrs ago I lost my clydesdale X to old age (she was 35yrs and I owned her for 31) Alot of our friends have drafts and we do keep some of them here on our farm occassionally, if handled right, drafts are just the gentle giants of the horse world. I LOVE drafts and I am sure we will be adding a new team here in the not too distant furture... now go out and hug that colt of yours and keep your head up, you will do just fine!

Corinne

 

[Pepipony]

Playing devils advocate here. I can see both sides and coming from decades of training horses and seeing what can/does happen in the majority of cases, green+green=black & blue.

I moderate an email group that caters to green or abused horses and the vast majority of people that get these types of horses who themselves have little to no equine experience come out with bad experiences. I cannot count the people that have ended up with broken bones, broken hearts and have either sold the horse and gotten one that they can handle, or have just gotten out of horses all together.

It pains me to read how people are having the very, very basic problems with horses that they cannot handle. Just basic things, like a horse getting into your space. If they dont know how to stop that, then they are in over their head. Its just a recipe for disaster.

So, with our hindsight being 20/20 we can see where newbies can be in over their heads. They are in love with their horses and cannot fathom giving them up. They think they are failing if they do. People seem to equate puppy training to horse training. Did one, the other cant be all that hard.

I think its great that people want to raise babies, truly do, but they need to have their own basic understanding of training down or else its just that much harder and that much more dangerous for both.

Maybe that is where the people you are speaking of are coming from. They dont need to know you to know the type and know that they have seen bad things happen. Hopefully it will turn out fantastic for you, you have a good plan going

So, dont think of them as putting 'you' down , they are just fitting you into a catagory. best of luck! JMHO Heather

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

Well I have to say honestly I have seen just as many if not more problems from those that are sure they know it all and are experts and there horses then I have from those that are well aware of there limitations and ask for help

If there basis on your not being able to own this horse are based on the fact you opted to have a colt gelded well then again that says alot about t hem.

Online especially I have found many experts are only that in there own mind. Heck I know of a few that can copy and paste a good book any day and are the first to tell others what to do however.. there own horses need a trainer to teach them to lead, and tie and do basic ground stuff

I think with horses many people tend to think there way is the best way and that is the only way it should be done.

as a general statement drafts are known for there easy going personality and you have a trainer lined up to work with you and your new boy that is a HUGE step..

congrats on your new boy sounds like you are doing all the right things.

 

[shminifancier]

I agree going on and training one from the start can be very rewarding. And many years ago when I first got into Arabians I had not a clue on how to do things.. But I did got my first Arabian at 6 months old, and she went on after I sold her to some friends and they did some more training with her and took her to the Nationals under English Pleasure and Formal Driving..And if I had not a good job of training her from 6 months old to 5 years that mare Lumigo would not have done that well in shows after I sold her..

That is a feather in my cap for sure..As I had no formal training on how to train horses just going to shows, watching and asking questions and going to some training clinics.. But it sure feels good inside when one does that... So as others have said go and give a big hug to your baby, and "Bring him up right" you will have a nice draft in the end.

 

[Marty]

What Lisa says is just so very true.

there own horses need a trainer to teach them to lead, and tie and do basic ground stuff

I've been given advice from people that can't even handle their own big or mini horses must less ride them and run from them when they start running in the pasture. I recently saw a man that hopped a fence to escape two horses running in the field, no where near him. These same type of people boast of their big success and champions but yet have to send them away to trainers because they are so scared of them and can't even lead them without a chain. Oh yea, give me advice please won't ya?

Look, this is your horse.

Only you know your real level of being able to handle this horse.

I think you should doubt yourself. I do all the time. It's a good thing. So you don't get over confident and then that can cause you not to be on your toes.

Give yourself a good mental tidy and see if there is any sense out of what they are saying. Perhaps they have the idea that you are in over your head and don't know what you are doing and fear for your safety. Try to find some good in what they are saying because most likey they are just wanting to help you, but like me, are not very good with words.

 

[runamuk]

First let me say....cool drafty geldings rock

You have a plan, focus and goals.........most don't. I belong to some sheep lists and there is this one list that is breed specific and this one person who posts is...well OUT THERE.....this person goes on these tangents about other breeds and crosses and this farm and that farm......then asks questions...and when people answer goes on another tangent about how so and so does it this way..well then do it that way......

honestly I could care less what this person chooses to do with their animals.......but having goals and a plan would be a start as this person is soooooooo all over the place ......

I read your post and thought wow this person is so far ahead of so many ...you have a clear idea of where you want to be and how to get there safely and effectively

ignore the naysayers and continue down your path..oh I want pics in a couple years when your riding the beasty