books about foal rearing the IH way?

[skylark]

Hi,

Are there any books available on foal rearing which work along the lines of IH principals?

I have 2 foals out of rescue mares making the place unsafe at the moment and a third on the way in September. Although I have been on a steep learning curve and have managed fine so far, I know I need a lot more knowledge to take these little ladies
the whole way.

So any recommendations welcome.

[clydegal13]

Can't help with book recommendation but what about this IH course? www.kellymarks.co.uk/content.asp?id=2&doc=16
Just a thought and you can chew Ian's ear - he has a wealth of knowledge and has a gift for sharing it in a way that is easy to understand - just like Kelly and all of the other RA's. I feel that there are times when you need hands on experience with someone knowledgeable by your side and to then have books and notes etc to refer to afterward.

Well done you for your rescues and for taking all that came with them on board

Good luck with your foals and the expectant mum

[zsuzsanna04]

I totally second Cath13's suggestions. The foal handling course is great fun and Ian is an absolute fountain of information.

As far as reading material goes, Richard Maxwell has published From Birth to Backing and I've heard very good things about John Lyons' book Bringing Up Baby (although I've not read this myself yet).

Lots of luck with your littlies !!

[skylark]

I have seen this course before and although it seems more directed to the first couple of months it might be of interest. Any idea how much the course is there seem to be no links of that one to find out. otherwise I'll find his web site.

I'll look into the book recommendations as well. Like Richard Maxwell! Thanks.

I'm so enjoying the foals, although I need to look at weaning soon (they are 7 months) as the expectant mum really needs a break to gain condition before she drops the next one, and the other mum needs to be re-started and than sold as we can't keep them all. I already have 3 horses of my own.
Not looking forward to that, would have loved to just leave them to wean themselves in time....Never mind, they have each other to get through the whole process.

[clydegal13]

Hi Skylark,

Click on the 'courses' link on DG home page - it's on the right hand side under the 'links' heading. There you will find a list and info about all the IH courses - availability, prices, directions etc. Either that or google 'kellymarks' and click "i'm feeling lucky" instead of 'search' and that'll take you directly to the main IH web site .

The fact that Ian is so easy to talk to and so knowledgablle and his 'thing' as it were is everything and anything to do with foals/youngsters, you really couldn't do better than go along.

Best of luck,
Cath x

[skylark]

Thanks Guys, I will have a go at that. See if hubby feels like parting with some of his money and babysitting the kids!

[JaneT]

Hello Skylark

Richard Maxwell has just written a new book about handling and training youngsters, called Train Your Young Horse, ISBN 9780715327999. It will be published in August. Have a look at Max's website (www.richard-maxwell.com).

The book is divided into three parts, the first deals with the horse from 0 to 6 months and has loads of good stuff about foals. The next two sections go from 6 months to 3 years, then 3 years plus.

Loads of photos and completely practical.

Train Your Young Horse is Max's latest views on training youngsters. He wanted to do a new version of From Birth to Backing, but instead wrote a completely fresh book with all new material.

Hope this helps. And that August isn't too long for you to wait!

Cheers
Jane

[skylark]

Thanks for that, will have a look out for that new book. I do like Richard, spoke to him once on one of those free ring-our-specialist thingies in one of the horse magazines, years ago. He is very easy to talk to.

I'm in the middle of weaning the foals at the moment and everything going right so far. Except that one mum is getting jealous of the lovely young grass the foals get when they are seperated, so she keeps jumping in with them. Not to be with her foal, just for the grass

We are on day 3 and I have seperated them up to 5 hours now without any problems.

[pinkpony]

Eco the course option, if you cant afford it, they often needs helpers on the other courses there.x.x.