Foal rearing Europe vs. U.S.

[cardinale]

Something that I’m wondering about is whether warmblood foals raised in European countries turn out any differently ([physically or mentally) than those bought over there, then shipped to the U.S. as weanlings and raised here.

Those of you who who have seen foal rearing in e.g. Germany, what are the advantages and disadvantages of their system? My understanding is that foals live communally, separated by sex. They are on pasture during the warmer months, but In winter are often kept inside large barns. Typically, minimal handling until at least 2 1/2.

The advantages might be the socialization with other foals/young horses, the forage (?), and pasture turnout part of the year. The disadvantages might be the lack of handling and basically confinement indoors during the winter? I wonder whether chips or OCD could occur at a higher rate at the end of winter when the youngsters get turned out again and start tearing around more?

Of course, foals in the U.S. can be raised in a variety of different circumstances, but because of space limitations and lack of forage in many places on the West Coast in particular, often they grow up basically on dry lots together with older horses or only a small number of other foals, but with more handling and year-round turnout.

[Scribbler]

If I was buying a young horse I would particularly be interested in breeders who are out on rangeland and let the young stock live in herds on open range.

[EventerAJ]

I’m a fan of how the TB industry raises most of them. Haltered and handled a little, daily for the first couple months, live out in big fields of grass in groups before and after weaning. Spend the first winter outside. Regular farrier visits every month. In summer, stalled during hottest part of the day, get groomed, taught to tie, and handwalked in groups 30min a day for sales prep. They learn manners and work ethic from the handwalking, trust their handler, obedience to follow even when they would rather spook and play or go back to the barn. Handlers are professional, don’t overreact to silliness, but also expect them to grow up and don’t coddle or “overhumanize” the yearlings. Should also mention most yearlings get preview xrays done in spring to identify any OCD and remove if needed.

[GoodTimes]

I think foal rearing has less to do with the continent and more to do with the particular farm.
A previous trainer of mine moved to Canada from Switzerland, in big part because of land prices. In Switzerland they had a very small farm, maybe 10 acres. The farm that they bought in Canada has several hundred acres. Over there they didn’t have room to just throw the babies out like they do now. Many parts of Europe are quite populated with expensive real estate. No different than populated areas of North America.

All of the last four horses that I’ve purchased were raised primarily on pasture (either 24/7 turnout or inside for a few hours/bad weather), learned basic handling, and were allowed to be horses. One was purchased as a 4yo from the breeder, one as a yearling from the breeder, and two as weanlings from the breeder. Four different breeders in different parts of Ontario. The horses in question are now 17, 11, 12, and 3. All are sound.