23/02/2024
Here are our tips on bringing your c**t in for the first part of their training and setting them up for a successful future.
~Bring them in fat and good body condition. We will send them back if they come in with their ribs showing or are underweight or poor body condition. It is stressful for them to get started, and they will lose weight. They are growing, and their bodies are changing, so this is the time to keep them happy mentally and physically. It is our job to build confident and comfortable c**ts! If they feel good, they will typically want to please. If they come in skinny and underweight, and we go to starting them, they will get ulcers, they will get thin, and they will NOT enjoy their job.
~Trim the c**t's feet at a minimum. We do not require shoes, but we prefer that their feet have been trimmed within one week of them coming in. It is not our farriers job to get your c**t use to this and he wont do it. Work with them and get their feet done.
~Get their teeth done, wolf teeth extracted and floated.
~Studs take a ton more time, so we charge more for them. Most have no business owning a stud and we feel very strongly about this. On that note, most don't make it as a stud so if you truly love the horse, cut it!
~Take the time to take your c**ts to the vet and get a baseline set of x-rays on their knees and hocks at a minimum. Letting their joints close and your c**t mature a little more will benefit them in the long run. Knowing if they have an OCD or chip prior to starting them can make or break your horse. This also gives you a baseline as to where your c**t is physically and can prevent many issues down the line.
~If you feel your c**t is not mature enough or big enough to start, chances are it is not. Please don't be afraid to reach out to us a few months before your c**t comes in to chat and discuss these types of things. We want your c**t to be successful, and holding off on starting them because they are too small is very important for your equine athlete's longevity. A lot of future soundness problems can be prevented by being patient and allowing your c**t to mature.
~ We always prefer them to come in just halter broke, able to pick up their feet and back up on a trailer. Leave the rest to Emilio.
~DO NOT SPOIL THEM. Those are our least favorite.
~If you can access a sale prep and conditioning program that is affordable for you, do it before bringing them to us to start under saddle or reach out to Shea and she can offer her advice on getting one ready. We have been swimming and conditioning all of our 2-year-olds for 60 days before starting them under saddle, and we have been so happy with the outcome. They get bathed daily when we swim them, get good feed and nutrition, and are fit and confident when Em starts them in the round pen. They are happy, and they are confident. Prior to this they really don't get touched. They are left to grow and be horses.
~Please do not call us one week in and expect a video. Come watch your c**ts. We want you to see what we are feeling and doing with them. We always like to get 2-3 weeks in on one before you come so we can show you what we are accomplishing.
~Our typical feed program for all of our personal 2-year-olds consists of this.
Free choice grass hay, and alfalfa pellets.
Free choice access to the Omega Elite Horse Lic Tubs.
***(These are additional cost to the owner)
7-10 lbs of Woodys Sales Prep Grain, 1 tsp of baking soda,
1 scoop of Forco, 1 pump of GutX ***(These are additional cost to the owner)
Routine worming. We rotate our wormers seasonally between
Ivermectin, Quest Plus, Dectomax, Synanthic Suspension.
~Vaccinate your c**ts before they come. We require a minimum of the 5-way vaccine to include strangles. We typically give Prestige 5 + WNV Equine Vaccine and the strangles vaccine to all of our 2-year-olds. We are not vets, and we will NOT administer this for you, so do it before they come.
~Lastly, if you ever have questions, call and ask.
We hope to help you successfully set them up for a confident and great start under saddle. The foundation is the key to the future, and, if you do it correctly and don't skip steps, you always have an excellent base to come back to. Things will fall apart, and ensuring your c**t has a good foundation is the key to working past those setbacks.
Emilio & Shea Vega
Emilio Vega Horse
