Growing Up

Razkel lying down with halter and blanket

We often experience snow storms in the late spring, so we like to see the foals arrive between mid April to mid May. Although we do have a couple of foaling stalls, the mares prefer to have their foals outside in a pile of fresh shavings.

The foals on the place are halter and blanket trained from the first week they are born. Providing we use blankets on these horses as they grow up, even in the bush, they usually learn not to tear them. Razkel is enjoying the warmth of his blanket, on a chilly day in May, at 5 days of age.

Razkel and Keisha helping themselves during haying

While growing up the young horses are left alone to learn herd dynamics. We ensure the foals are halter trained and will accept blankets as well pick up all 4 feet for the farrier. We also will move heavy equipment near the herd so the young horses learn loud noises do not always mean danger. The horses often encounter wildlife (bears, moose, deer, grouse, lynx & bobcats, to name a few), as well as helicopters flying overhead.

During the next 2½ to 3 years of these two fillies lives, pictured lying down together, they will run and play together as well as with the rest of the herd. The older horses will teach the youngsters bush sense, which will help improve their balance and to learn to survive.

During this time, any time we are amongst the herd, we watch the horses and our own body language. This should set the stage for when we start to actually work with the horses. We do not tolerate poor behavior at any time, especially flaring tempers. Most young horses will challenge other horses, as well as their 'human companion'. We will at that time patiently work the animal to let it know, that behavior is not tolerated.

We do not believe in actually riding a horse until they have reached the age of 3. We may back a horse earlier, but because the bones of a horse do not close until they are 6, we like to give them a chance to do so before adding stress to the joints. Some people believe the horse is easier to train when started younger, but we have found that their attention is so short, it really makes little difference.

At 3 years of age we start the horses. One day (or more if needed) in the round pen and the horse is often ready for its rider. Our horses have to learned to trust people from an early age so when we finally put a rider up on them, they accept them readily, without bucking.

In the winter we will start the young horses on toboggans or sleds. We will usually work only 1 or maybe 2 novice horses with 1 or 2 trained harness horses.