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 Member
Posts: 41
| I have been contemplating whether I should get a yearling or weanling, as I would like to start a horse with a clean slate. I'd like to hear some advice from those who have had experience with both and which do you prefer. And I have been looking for a horse with good bloodlines but one that won't break the bank. If anyone knows of a horse that would be either a weanling or yearling that fits the description let me know! I am hoping to purchase one within the next year or two, so really right now is just research time. |
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 Saint Stacey
  
| Yearling. That’s one less year you have to feed them and one year closer to being able to start them. |
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| I say don’t limit yourself to one age group, because if you’re set on getting a weanling and the perfect yearling comes along, you might overlook it. Personally, I think it’s more about what you’re looking for (bloodlines, conformation, personality, etc) than focusing on finding the right age.
I do agree that it’s cheaper (like the other poster said) to get a yearling or two year old that’s just been halter broke (or whatever you consider a clean slate), but that doesn’t always mean better- especially if you end up sacrificing what you really want just because you’ve decided on the other age.
What bloodlines are you looking for? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
Location: Mountains of VA | long yearling or a 2yo that has been started approx. 30 days. You will come closer to knowing what type of horse they will be when mature and in the long run will have less money in them. Buying weanlings is such a gamble and you have to be willing to accept them for what they are so to speak. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | I prefer buying long yearlings. Most* people have done nothing with them at this point in their lives. I personally don't understand this. Everything I own, no matter how old will at least load in a trailer, stand tied, and pick their feet up. But I've bought about 10 or so yearling to 2yo's in the past few years that didn't even know this much and half of those I wouldn't even consider halter broke. I actually like teaching them all of this little stuff, so I don't mind.
If you're looking at the money side of things, sure you are likely to find a weanling bred how you like considerably cheaper than a yearling, but you also have to feed it for a year longer and hope it doesn't hurt itself. |
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 Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
Posts: 5530
Location: OH | There are upsides and downsides to both---just need to decide what fits you best.
I always wanted to buy as a weanling because I wanted first pick not choosing what is left over as a yearling---this isn't always the case though.
As stated---downside to a weanling is feeding and keeping safe for a year longer.
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Member
Posts: 37
| I bought my first ever weanling last year and will probably never do that again. I bought for the blood lines and his conformation. Nothing against weanlings but I can't wait till he's old enough for me to really mess with him. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| lilpeppy - 2017-11-14 8:55 AM
I bought my first ever weanling last year and will probably never do that again. I bought for the blood lines and his conformation. Nothing against weanlings but I can't wait till he's old enough for me to really mess with him.
I bought a colt from Wyomingbarrelracer in 2012 as a weanling. Since we don't have pastures in Southern CA like a lot of the rest of the people here I worked with my horse daily.
Wonderful, smart colt that was willing and eager to learn. Trailered like a dream, ponied on trails, did all the things that an older horse should except ride. That being said, if I ever do this again I think I would start with the yearling. But the weanling was definitely a wonderful experience- at least for me.
Wyomingbarrelracer has (or did) have some for sale that were bred well and decently priced. After having one of her horses I would definitely recommend and would buy from her again. My colt has now had some more limiting experiences due to some life setbacks on my part and didn't get the training and futurity experience that I was hoping for, but he is still a wonderful horse with a great mind.  |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Everyone is correct on yearlings being closer to riding and probably cheaper in the long run. One thing you may have a little more control over though is the way the weanling is fed. A weanling/yearling who isn't fed right can have some joint issues that you won't start seeing problems from until they are 4 or so. So the younger you get them and the more you know from the breeder the more chance you may have of helping them avoid some too much nutrition/lack of nutrition related problems. |
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Yearling or Weanling?