Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I haven't been on Ridecamp in quite
some time (heck my mom even thinks I'm 'too busy' because I don't call
her as much as I used to). . . but thought I'd reach out for some help
from the broader community.

My beautiful arabian colt is 4 months
old now, has been part our small herd since he was a month old and enjoying
roaming our 12 hilly acres.  I spent 18 months finding the right stallion
(exceptionally conformational correct to improve on the mare and live cover
because she was a 16 yo maiden).  I read 2 voluminous college text
books and then solicited the advise my friends as well as my 74 yo mentor
(who's forgotten more than I'll ever know).  Results are really, really
nice!  Training also is progressing  well in that he leads, ties,
bathes and has been trailered twice (and surprised me one day when he hopped
in by himself to sneak hay from the floor when I was messing around inside).

Next challenge is finding out when to
wean - the jury is out, as I've heard everything from 3 - 6 months. . .
. and he's 4 months old now, and what to feed once he's weaned.  Where
are all the 'college texts' on this phase (and then training), specifically
for endurance horses??!!!.  He currently doesn't get any grain (we
did creep feed mare & foal for awhile but no longer), just good oat
hay in the a.m. & an alfalfa/grass mix in the evening with his mom
(and her milk) and the rest of the herd (3 to 4 geldings, one of which
is a wonderful 'uncle' and a dominate boss mare who's pretty protective
of him) along with a cup of beet pulp soaked once a day with some Platinum
Performance, sized for him.  

SO, the big question now is, when to
wean and what to feed him once mommy is gone.  Also, any weaning tips
would be great, although I've heard 'the best way' is to take her to our
other pasture (35 acres) with is 15 - 20 minutes away and leave her with
the other (smaller) herd for a couple of months.  Oh and tips on how
to care for her while her milk is drying up would be nice too!!~

so, HELP!!~~

Also, because we like the cross so well,
we're planning on rebreeding our lovely broodmare again in the spring to
the same stallion.

Please email me back (privately or not),
as I would love all the input!~

Thanks,
Sandy
AERC#M30961 (yes, that's me riding the
17 yo & 14 yo horses!)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sandy L Holder | Director
- PricewaterhouseCoopers | Telephone: +1 408 218 5028 | Facsimile: +1 813
375 4286 | sandy.l.holder@xxxxxxxxxx

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