Many foals are bred in the Netherlands every year. These animals still walk with the mother horse up to six months of age respectively. After this, the foal is separated from its mother. Because few owners have enough space to house their foal until their third year of life, many opt for temporary housing; rearing the foal.
Raising the foal
The rearing is intended for horses in the age category of six months to (often) a maximum of 3 years old. These animals are too young to go to work. In rearing, a young animal is placed with conspecifics and learns what it is like to interact with other horses. They learn many things from each other that they can and cannot do. During rearing, the foal has almost no human contact, so the animal can develop in peace.
Summer and winter months
Many rearing companies put the young animals in the summer months on a large piece of land or other nature reserve. Foals are placed in a herd with only peers, but sometimes it happens that an older animal is placed in between. Owners are often not authorized to access the foals in the pasture, as there should be as little contact with people as possible. The owner of the company does supervise the animals. In the winter months, a spacious walk-in barn with several animals is often chosen. Foals in rearing do regularly go to the farrier or vet.
Couples
It is often the case that a date is agreed for when you can bring your foal. This is because several animals are expected on the same date. Couples are formed from the animals that arrive at the same time. These are always animals of the same sex. The flocks come together in a box and are introduced to the rest of the herd after a number of habituation days. The function of the couples is very simple; when a whole herd is formed, each foal already has a friend and is therefore never alone.
Preparation
There are things you can do with your foal yourself before it goes to rearing. Spend a lot of time with your animal and teach him to walk neatly on the halter. Teach your horse to give feet too. Remember: Young is done old, when your horse comes out of rearing it is at least three years old and much stronger.