Raising Services
We are opening our fields at Hilltop Farm to those in the industry needing a "Raiser." Our expertise in raising young stallions, geldings, and mares with an eye for the overall heath and development of the individual has been demonstrated time and again through our own breeding program. With a raising program that backs up to proven in-hand training and young horse starting program, Hilltop Farm offers a unique combination of services for all sporthorse disciplines. Our expertise in breeding and raising warmblood sporthorses is coupled with our passion for optimizing their environment and management.
Who might consider this opportunity?
Breeders across the country may at times produce a colt that is especially deserving of the opportunity to be raised as a stallion prospect. Often breeders in this situation face the dilemma of "how" to raise the prospect without compromising his natural need for socialization. Hilltop Farm's Raising Program is an ideal solution to this concern. Young colts are introduced to each other best at weaning and no later than the late winter of their first year. This period of time allows the colts to develop their "place" in the herd without too much challenge and aggression occurring within the natural herd dynamics.
Breeders or horse owners seeking a safe, natural environment for their young sporthorse prospect during the rearing years may also consider this opportunity. Young fillies and geldings benefit from the natural socialization of herd life, just as young colts do. While this group is easier to introduce to each other at older ages, the optimal time for herd restructuring is close to weaning. Fillies raised on our fields are often started as three-year olds, then bred and allowed to reach full maturity during the first year of production. These mares are then returned to work under saddle following weaning or continue their careers as broodmares.
What an Owner stands to Gain:
Broodmares and young horses in the Hilltop Farm Raising Program receive daily, individualized care while benefiting from the natural, social dynamic of life in a herd. The strength and development gained by the growing horse on these rolling hills is unparalleled for building a strong and athletic foundation. We offer:
- Age and gender-divided herds
- Individualized feeding and handling to meet their daily needs
- Highly qualified horsemen, skilled and experienced in keeping a watchful eye on the health and on-going development of horses
- Comprehensive evaluations of the individual's growth, orthopedic development, behavior and social interaction reports.
Further Opportunities linked to the Hilltop Farm Raising Services
In-hand training: Hilltop Farm's training staff is highly skilled in handling young horses. Whether your interest is simply to have a pleasant companion in your young horse, one with good manners in all aspects of daily care, or more to actively campaign your youngster in breed shows and ultimately under saddle, the Hilltop Team is able to meet those needs. Our talented "in-hand" handlers are able to train and present youngsters at breed shows in the Mid-Atlantic states, including the prestigious Dressage At Devon Breed Show.
Young Horse Starting Services: We offer excellent starting services for young horses raised on the farm, with a good program of free jumping, free lounging, and work outdoors in the early riding program. Our riders produce confident, willing horses who have learned that their time with a rider is something to look forward to. We have dressage and jumper riders on staff, all capable to develop the young horse further as he/she offers further progression under saddle.
Stallion Inspection and Performance Test Preparation: Young stallions raised at Hilltop Farm are eligible to receive the skilled handling services of the Hilltop Farm training team. A careful conditioning program, in-hand training, and free jumping education are provided to the young stallion candidate, giving him ample time to mentally adjust to his new "jobs" in life. Hilltop hosts several stallion inspections on-site, so often the young prospect is receiving his preparation in the same atmosphere in which he will later be tested.
The Hilltop training team is also fully capable to prepare young stallions for the 100-Day Stallion Performance Test. The dressage, jumping, and cross-country phases demand solid preparation for the young stallion to reach his full potential during this important evaluation.
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