Any advice wild horses?

Question

I have just been offered a free horse or two (long story). Basically there is a herd (not sure how many exactly) of very well-bred horses that have been left reasonably untouched for about 3 years or so (another long story). They are checked on and fed etc. but not handled or broken. As far as I am aware I can have anyone I want (will know more tonight).

I have broken horses before so that is not an issue really. The thing is I am wondering should I take a three year old or maybe an older one?

I'm not really sure if the older ones will be a bit too wild.

I have been around horses with for the last 19 years and have dealt with all sorts but I haven't ever dealt with a 100% untouched horse.

Have you had any experience with this?

Obviously I will get professional help if necessary. Conformation will be most important obviously as I will be looking to show the horse (jumping) which is what they were bred for.

Oh by the way I'm in Ireland and horses are not cheap if they have good conformation and bloodlines so this could be an opportunity to acquire something really special (that needs a LOT of work).

Any opinions or advice would be really appreciated.

Answer 1

Start slow. Take one or two weeks just walking him on a long lead. Another 2 weeks on cross ties introducing him to grooming items. Once comfortable in the barn take and with you. Round pen work. 3 months of it at least. no lounge line just you and him. once doing what you ask in the round pen start with lounging with saddle pad only. then from there you should know what to do if you started young horses before. it doesn't matter the age, its the mind that matters.

www.turtleridgefarm.com

Answer 2

hey - whereabouts in Ireland are you? Im from Cork.

I would go for a younger horse if I were you - the younger they are the less set in their ways they will be.

Just treat the youngster as you would any other horse that you have broken in - a 3 year old might be a bit more bossy than a younger horse, but I dont see it being a huge problem for you.

xx

Answer 3

What a great opportunity - what a great question.  Would LOVE to someday visit Ireland - Great, great grandfather came from there to Texas.

Anyways - you remind me of Monty Roberts.  This gentleman has worked with the horses of the Queen of England and has extensive experience in gentling truly wild horses from the American West.  His books "The Man Who Listens to Horses" and "Shy Boy" are great books that contain mostly stories of his life, experiences and learning as well as your ability to gain some "how to".  If those are available to you, or any such videos of his, I would suggest them to help you.

I've also started horses (I will not use the term "broke"). One that was about 5 and handled but had some issues with being ridden.  I've got a 7 year old, a 5 year old that I've had trainer assistance with starting and I now have a yearly (the last one I'll ever raise).  What I've learned from these experiences is that in order to start one properly and interact with it positively for the best outcome, one must understand their herd dynamics, how each fits into their herd and how you take the place of the herd leader.

You may already know these things, I don't know.  If not, I'll be happy to build on my words here with further knowledge.

Once you know those dynamics and how to act as the proper (trusted, respected) leader to any horse you chose, it doesn't matter what age or behaviour or previous handling they've had.  I have had many trainers tell me they are more successful in a shorter period of time taking on a horse that's never been touched by humans as opposed to one that has.  Humans are not naturally understanding of each other's nature or need let alone such of another species.  For the most part, human handling will result in some behavioral issues that must be fixed by a trainer before the horse can be really started - whereas with one un-touched, they haven't learned poor behaviours, mistrust of humans or disrespect yet.  Once trained and properly started, they will more likely maintain the proper mindset with humans than taking one and "fixing" it's problems.

With that said, how likely is it that older ones have been more handled by humans than younger ones?  It sounds like these horses have recently been "let go" in terms of their training for a purpose in life.  It's kinda sad in a way to know there's enough horses to term a "herd" that's obviously been bred for something specific if they have that great of bloodlines who have been left basically to "rot" without a job to do and without the true ability to act in a wild way (limited pasture space, etc to make their own choices).

It's also sad to hear about horses being so valuable in Ireland, when here in America their value has greatly declined due to recent closures of slaughter facilities and people continuing to indiscrimminately breed horses of lower value - without a purpose or without consideration to bloodlines.  Too many people here find that for a few hundred bucks they can breed their nice mare and end up with an equally nice foal, yet don't have the knowledge to chose a stallion well nor the knowledge to properly interact with it as a foal to raise it up and train it for a purpose, thereby increasing it's value.

My own dear mother finds herself with a great stallion, 5 foals born this year and no market for them.  She's about to give them away to good homes and she's not breeding any more.

Good luck with this - I hope you find yourself a good horse.  If it were me, I think I would go into the herd and watch their dynamics.  I'd chose a horse based first on conformation and soundness, then I'd chose one that's neither the most dominant nor the most submissive, but one about in the middle of the herd's social standing.  This one would not be difficult to train in respect nor should it be difficult to get over spook problems.  It would not be so dominant as to challenge my leadership at every turn strongly (they always test your leadership/dominance every moment by nature), yet they would not be so submissive as to be afraid of you and it's surroundings all the time.  I have some of both and the different ways I interact with them is very interesting.

After that, then use the age factor as a determinant between multiple horses.

Answer 4

I would personally go with the 3 year old. The main reason is that a younger horse isn't as strong as an older one. If these horses have never been touched an older more developed would be harder to handle if there are problems and them the horse bucks or tries to run away. I have worked with different aged horse that are green. I weigh 195 lbs and it is hard for a younger horse to give me a good buck compared to an older horse. They are easier to control too if you have to rope them.

Answer 5

I have an 8 and 10 year old unhandled prior horses i working with...Takes a lot of patients but it is possible.  

Answer 6

Will the horses be penned at any point, so you can observe their behavior, how they respond to humans, how nervous they are, etc? I think that would be a bigger determination than age. You'd want one that is curious, willing to check you out, open to "socializing" with people, rather than one that seems fearful or hostile.

What a cool opportunity!

Answer 7

Conformation first, then it sounds like a case of 'whichever one you can get a rope on. Good Luck.

Are you back, Bil? If so, Good.

Answer 8

I would generally choose a 2 or 3 year old- they have developed enough for you to accurately judge their conformation, but going any older runs the risk of having a horse who will be harder to break of it's "free spirit".

I would also advise getting a vet check beforehand- since the horse will be free, it would be a good investment and you'd still only be spending a little $$ for the vet.

Have them check for signs of navicular, splints, flexor issues, and injuries they may have aquired in the years they have been ferral, check teeth, eyes, lungs, heart, also make sure they are vaccinated before bringing them to another barn (I dont know what Ireland's regulations are, but in the US we need at least rabies and coggins before traveling with a horse.)

If they haven't been wormed regularly, you will also want the vet to check for infestations before putting them on dewormer. If they have an advanced infestation already, it can sometimes do them harm to work them.

Considering you will planning to jump, these are all things that would have to be cleared to make sure you have a horse that would be safe, healthy, and sound enough to hold up to the demands of jumping.

Remember that an unhandled older horse will probably not trailer well either, so you may want a vet to tranq it before you bring it home. If they haven't been stabled, you may have a hard time getting it to relax in a stall for quite some time.

With most unbroke horses, it can take about a year of groundwork and handling before you can safely tack up and mount. Expect with a ferral horse to double or tripple that amount of time, since they have little trust of humans. You wil have to start with this horse as if it's a weanling, spending the first months just leading, teaching to behave for the farrier and vet, etc. You probably shouldn't expect to ride the horse for almost a year, unless it has an especially willing and intelligent nature.

My husband is a farrier and trainer who has been working with a couple who has horses they have allowed to breed freely and run ferral in their fields for the past 2 years. He says the hardest thing with these is horses is understanding they DON'T understand anything you'd expect a horse of their age to know. They dont tie, stand for trims, they pace and weave when they are in stalls, and they rear, bite, and kick frequently. All habits they have picked up in the field with their buddies, and they don't have the knowlege that you are not like their horsey pals.

Good luck with your new horse! I hope this helps a little. Patience and time could give you a very nice horse!

Answer 9

T L C And some advice  from a top trainer. I would like to say a three year old one has you can lean about the horses

Answer 10

Cor you are so lucky! If you plan to compete go  for a six year old, because it will be matured without any strain on its legs, most competition horses do too much too young. It won't be any more or less difficult to train than  3 year old, believe me.

I once bought a nine year old untouched mare with foal at foot. She was the sweetest, nicest horse I ever had and was sound until she died age 29, never a day lame or sore.

Answer 11

I bought an untouched 2 year old colt and boy was it hard work !! you need the patience of a saint !! firstly it took about 3 months to get near him to get a head collar on. I have learnt a lot along the way and its made me a better horsewoman but I suggest you look on YOU TUBE at mustang makeover Ranger. The  horse is called  Ranger and  they show how its done professionally and kindly.

good luck and be safe  

Answer 12

Um -one bit in your story casts doubt upon the whole - anyone with experience breaking horses would know that an older animal is no more difficult to break to bridle, saddle or harness than a younger one.

Answer 13

cowgirl: how do you propose to do a vet check when THE HORSE HAS NEVER BEEN TOUCHED BY HUMANS?  In this case, a vet check really is not going to happen, and since the horse is free, isn't a necessity.

I have a mustang that I broke.  The one thing it taught me was patience.  But it has been the most rewarding experience of my life.  I think you'll have a great time.

And actually, when it comes to purely wild horses, ones that have never had human contact, the younger you get them, the better.  There is a reason the BLM doesn't adopt out any wild horses over 6 years old, they are just too hard to handle and too hard to train.  So go for the younger ones, if possible.

KB: You have?  Hmm.  I thought 6 was the limit.  Maybe it's 10.  Now I'm gonna have to look it up!

Answer 14

Id go for a 2 year old personally, just right for breaking in, not to old to be totally against the idea lol...when you break him in, dont break his spirit, but let him know whos boss! You could have your work cut out for you lol

good luck with your horse, and Im in australia, Im so jealous your getting a free horse! Feel free to express mail me one :)

Answer 15

I'd rather start a totally untouched 3 year old than anything anyone else handled first, unless it was a trainer I respected.  Often, horses are broken young and sold at 3, but they will go through complete changes in personality before they turn 5.  And if the trainer who handled them when they were young was an idiot, you get the results. They are just like human kids...if you s***w them up as babies, it lasts a lifetime.  Since you have broken horses before, then the fact that these are totally unhandled only means you have to get them to trust you.  You've already done the rest before.

Answer 16

I would go for an animal no older than 3.

My mother did this, she picked the leader of the herd, which turned out to be a really good horse, and bred really good foals.

Mind you, it was great fun the first few weeks, because the stable door had to be kept closed as the mare would have jumped out over the top .... and she hated to be taken in from the field during the summer months.

Best of luck with this, by the way.  

Answer 17

I once helped with a load of untouched 6 year old Warmbloods, they were actually easier to deal with! They have no bad experiences to reflect on, so really its just like handling a foal. I don't think the age will make a lot of difference (I have broken untouched 3 year olds, 4 year olds etc. and find them all the same, in the scheme of things). Just be patient but firm. Build their trust in the same way you would with any horse or foal. Advice from a trainer experienced in untouched horses would be a great idea too.

Good luck, you're lucky!!

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind... < please answer my question

ADD: I really disagree with the poster above me! The oldest horse I ever broke was 12 years old, a chestnut mare as luck would have it! She was a dream to break! I have had wilder 3 year olds! A true horseperson knows that it is not the age, but the individual horse and it's handling.