Brett Petersen great picture 

Safe to say the little guy has settled in, ragwort picking today and the two youngsters were keeping me company 

How did you get on Richard Boatwright? 

Sounds like you’re doing all the right things, most of all enjoy it.

I’ve just been informed my 10 month old is my grandsons birthday present next week! (Dare not argue with the boss) and he will be showing him in hand soon so my list for him in the next weeks is 

Loading and travelling practice

Bathing 

Extended grooming

Leading practice including trotting on command 

Standing in place when asked

As far as I’m concerned I don’t really treat the youngsters any different to the older ones, I expect things and if they need correcting I use the normal principles of pressure and release etc 

I will be putting blankets on him (sacking him out) and roping him to ensure no spookiness occurs when the young lad is showing him. 

A point I missed that Richard made which is a mantra of mine, zero treats out of hand! 

we need to see some pictures of the little one! 

Absolutely outstanding Richard, great viewing, you need to do more of these! 

To give you an alternative perspective, I’ve bought a few yearlings and younger recently and most of them have come to us unhandled, not haltered, unruly individuals, some dangerous.

Whilst I love bringing them on I think that the previous owners have done a disservice to them and robbed them of a much easier up bringing.

I’m my mind a foal/youngster should be able to be handled from the start, nothing invasive but be able to be haltered, led, tied up once a few months old and critically be happy with their feet lifted and rasped, groomed and overall accept human interaction, once weened then progressing further.

I take all my yearling to “spookbusting” clinics but also work them in the round pen so they understand what is required of them 

Richard Boatwright

Richard Boatwright

What size is your colt?

never used them myself but I’m sure Richard Boatwright will be able to advise 

Good luck with the show