New Baby...good methods

[Drm2Go]

Hey there folks...I might be given a one year old, non gelded yet, appy colt. His owner has too many to care for an has already given away three other filly's. My question is that I would love to provide him with a good home. He SUPPOSEDLY halters, leads and ties....but that is IT!!! :eek: Can I use parelli, clinton anderson, etc on him?? It seems perfectly logical that parelli and the like's ground work skills would work beautifully on a baby, but never having an previous experience with a yearling, I am not sure.

I am very nervous and worry terribly about messing him up. Any suggestions would be very welcomed. Thanks guys!! :D

[galadriel]

There are a lot of good books out there that can help you get an idea of how different a young horse is from an adult, and how much training they need before they can act like a calm, sensible adult.

Here's a good article just one general "growing up" of horses:
http://www.equinestudies.org/knowledge_base/ranger.html

Even for a yearling, tying or hauling around by the halter can be dangerous. As they're growing, their bones are softer, and their soft tissues are still developing too. Young horses can be seriously injured by pulling accidents or by fighting with a halter.

Be careful with anything that involves a lot of circles. There are a few NH methods that do (and that involves walking in circles or even just stepping sideways in a circle). Turning or stepping sideways is hard on the horse's joints; lots of turning is too much for a young horse's developing joints.

[Drm2Go]

I have been out of town, but thank you so very much for that article link!! I can always count on you to post some good article suggestions!! :) Our new baby is getting healthier and healthier by the day. He now lets me rub him all over his back, barrel, whithers and head and neck area. We are still working down the legs, but in the few weeks we have had him...leaps and bounds he has made!! :) I am so glad we were able to rescue this little guy!! :D

Thanks again, and if anyone else has any advice on starting a yearling....I am soooooooo in need of it. This is uncharted territory for me and could use all the help I can get!!!