Weaning a colt

Question
I bought a colt recently.  He is a cute little buckskin color now, but am told he should be more like a grullo as he grows.  Anyway, he is still with his mother (on a ranch over an hour away)and I am getting conflicting information re: when I shoud bring him to my house.  

The owner said I could take him when I bought him, but I wanted him to stay with his mother for a while longer.  The problem is, no one is messig with him.  His owner is too busy with work (which is why he is cutting back on his herd) so I just feel like the longer I wait to spend time with him, the crazier he will become.

I had a horse when I was a teenager, but she came trained.  I don't want to wait until this one is huge and crazy before I begin working with him.  Small and crazy sounds like the better option!  :-)  Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Heather!

No worries here really!!!  Less is more with babies.  Someone does not need to be doing anything with your colt and he will NOT be crazy.  For me, in a perfect world not much is done with a horse until they are two years old.  Remember, a horse is not full grown or mentally mature until they are FIVE!  We just tend to do too much too soon.  

I have a couple of questions for you though...How old is baby?  Who is helping with the weaning and how will it be done?

I usually wean my babies at 6 months old.   By then Mom is ready to kick them out of the nest anyway and it makes the process so smooth.

When I wean I use a series of pipe panels, they were once round pens.  I put Mom in one pen and baby in the pen next to her.  By this time baby is eating his own hay and grain and Mom is happy not to have to share.  Baby can still see and touch his mother and even nurse if the mare is willing.  After a few days, depending on how things are going, I'll move Mom one pen over and put a good buddy horse in the middle pen.  Baby can still see his mother, has a buddy next to him, is in a comfortable, secure environment.  I will then move baby out to a pasture with other youngsters and a good babysitter, weaning is complete with little or no stress to mom or baby.   

I do not like the stuff baby in a trailer and haul him away method of weaning.  It is stressful for both mother and baby and usually ends up in injuries to both.  

Heather, let me know what your options are for weaning.  If it goes wrong it will be stressful on you too!  I hope not.  I'll help all I can, so keep me in the loop won't you.

If you have not started a horse before, there is a lot to do.  It is so much fun, but you need good help.  Look up the "Ground work" DVD by Buck Brannaman and the "Back to the Beginning" DVD by Ray Hunt.  Both of these men have good websites with a schedule of clinics you can attend with your horse.  Also google Ricky Quinn.  He does not have a website yet but, also travels the country in the fall and winter and helps people with their horses.  What you and your horse can learn in four days with these fine horsemen is more than most "trainers" can do in six months, really.  

When I get a little more information from you about weaning, and when you have to have your colt home will help guide me in some of my answers.  Getting your colt comfortable with a halter, leading and stepping into a trailer will be important for the both of you.  Don't allow anyone to force your colt into a trailer or wench him around on a halter.  Take the time to educate your baby first.  

Wean carefully.  Check out the DVD's.  Then we will talk again and put together a plan that is respectful to you and your horse and will achieve the best outcome.  

How exciting for you Heather!  You are starting your next equine partner and building a quality relationship for the next twenty years!  

Keep me posted!

Smiles and Miles (Horseback of Course!)  Denise