Post by mmel001 on Jun 20, 2011 12:12:10 GMT 1
Hello All
Just thought I would drop a quick line to say how much I enjoyed the stud practice and foal handling course this weekend!
I was supposed to complete the course back in April but unfortunately I fell ill and wasn't able to do so, Ian very kindly let me join the next course.
The first day goes over stud practice which ranges from learning about the reproductive system of the mare, through to the mare conceiving. Ways in which this can happen, natural covering, artificial insemination etc.
The second day covers pregnancy, birthing and the foal, including handling! There is a lot more to it, but hey, to find that out why don't you book yourself on a course?!
We were very fortunate enough to have two mares and foals bred locally transported to Ian's farm for us to work with, and we had 4 excellent sessions with these mums and babies! The foals themselves although perhaps a couple of months old, had not really been handled before, apart from Ian and his team loading them to bring them over to Hartsop.
Watching Ian work with the first foal to show how you would handle it, and the approach you would take to make that experience as positive as possible for the youngster was wonderful, although getting in to try it for yourself was, I have to say the best part! Ian being very experienced with foals (well lets face it, horses in general!) was quick to spot when the foals were getting tired, or were getting too comfortable with the exercises we were doing with them, and it was time to either let them be, or to move onto the next stage.
Considering the mares had been barely handled themselves, I have to say they were amazingly compliant and patient with us all!
We were lucky enough to have 4 sessions with the foals as well as going off to experience the herd the mares and foals came from in their usual environment. We were joined as we walked out of the field by the enthusiastic and incredibly inquisitive stallion! However not before some of the more courageous young foals wandered over to say hello. They are all for sale by the way, just in case anyone is looking for a foal! I was tempted, but to be honest it would be a little impractical for me at the moment!
It was an amazing experience that I would thoroughly recommend for anyone who may be thinking about doing the course. Not everyone is lucky enough to get the chance to get up close to these gorgeous animals in their day to day lives, so this course is a great way to experience that and my just leave you wanting a bit more!
As always with these courses you will go away with a greater understanding of horses, both how they would be in the wild and how us humans have adapted the horse. I can't help feeling an even greater enthusiasm for these amazing creatures and my passion for them just keeps getting stronger!
I believe there is one more course this year later on this month, although that may be fully booked, it is always worth checking with the office!
Mel
Just thought I would drop a quick line to say how much I enjoyed the stud practice and foal handling course this weekend!
I was supposed to complete the course back in April but unfortunately I fell ill and wasn't able to do so, Ian very kindly let me join the next course.
The first day goes over stud practice which ranges from learning about the reproductive system of the mare, through to the mare conceiving. Ways in which this can happen, natural covering, artificial insemination etc.
The second day covers pregnancy, birthing and the foal, including handling! There is a lot more to it, but hey, to find that out why don't you book yourself on a course?!
We were very fortunate enough to have two mares and foals bred locally transported to Ian's farm for us to work with, and we had 4 excellent sessions with these mums and babies! The foals themselves although perhaps a couple of months old, had not really been handled before, apart from Ian and his team loading them to bring them over to Hartsop.
Watching Ian work with the first foal to show how you would handle it, and the approach you would take to make that experience as positive as possible for the youngster was wonderful, although getting in to try it for yourself was, I have to say the best part! Ian being very experienced with foals (well lets face it, horses in general!) was quick to spot when the foals were getting tired, or were getting too comfortable with the exercises we were doing with them, and it was time to either let them be, or to move onto the next stage.
Considering the mares had been barely handled themselves, I have to say they were amazingly compliant and patient with us all!
We were lucky enough to have 4 sessions with the foals as well as going off to experience the herd the mares and foals came from in their usual environment. We were joined as we walked out of the field by the enthusiastic and incredibly inquisitive stallion! However not before some of the more courageous young foals wandered over to say hello. They are all for sale by the way, just in case anyone is looking for a foal! I was tempted, but to be honest it would be a little impractical for me at the moment!
It was an amazing experience that I would thoroughly recommend for anyone who may be thinking about doing the course. Not everyone is lucky enough to get the chance to get up close to these gorgeous animals in their day to day lives, so this course is a great way to experience that and my just leave you wanting a bit more!
As always with these courses you will go away with a greater understanding of horses, both how they would be in the wild and how us humans have adapted the horse. I can't help feeling an even greater enthusiasm for these amazing creatures and my passion for them just keeps getting stronger!
I believe there is one more course this year later on this month, although that may be fully booked, it is always worth checking with the office!
Mel
