| The newborn foal begins his training as soon as he | | | | it on their neck and back and try to get them |
| takes his first breath. He learns how the new world | | | | comfortable with the noises it makes. Once you are |
| smells, and most importantly the smell of his dam. The | | | | ready to put it over their nose you must be quick and |
| sense of smell is how mares and foals know each | | | | fearless, get your arm around their neck and don't let |
| other and you will see them taking in each other's | | | | go until you have the halter on. It is important that they |
| scent the first time they touch noses. In fact, after the | | | | don't learn that they can get away from this - every |
| mare has imprinted her foal's scent, she will reject him | | | | attempt is a lesson - good or bad. Remain calm and |
| if he gets the scent of another horse on him or he is | | | | don't give them any reason to be afraid of the halter |
| covered with something that masks or changes his | | | | or you. After a few successful sessions with haltering |
| scent. His keen sense of smell will also lead him to his | | | | they are not afraid of what is happening to them and |
| dam's udder long before his vision has focused. The | | | | typically enjoy the attention - I have had several foals |
| handler should take advantage of this and make the | | | | come over to me as soon as I open the stall door to |
| foal familiar and comfortable with her scent quickly and | | | | get their halter on and receive lots of praise and |
| often; imprinting him for future training. | | | | scratching. They soon learn that it also means that |
| The bonding between the mare and her foal is very | | | | they are going outside. |
| important and I do not like to interfere any more than | | | | Once they are comfortable with the halter, it is time to |
| necessary for the first couple of days. Getting the foal | | | | start training them to lead. You have already begun the |
| used to being touched and handled can be done a | | | | process if you are guiding them outside like I described |
| couple of times a day for a few minutes. It is best to | | | | above. They can feel the pressure of the arm around |
| get down to the foal's level and let him come to you. | | | | their rump pushing into the direction you want them to |
| They are usually very curious, and if the dam is not | | | | go. When you add the lead rope, you just wrap it |
| overly protective, will come over and check you out. | | | | around their rump and back to the head and use it to |
| Slow movements and soothing words will usually earn | | | | give a little push from behind while giving a little tug on |
| you a few strokes on the neck or back. Be ready for | | | | the halter to tell them to go forward. It is very |
| a sudden leap or kick - anything can set them off. | | | | important to remain at the foal's shoulder while doing |
| If the weather is good, you will want to start turning the | | | | this because if you are too far back you could get |
| mare and foal outside. Exercise is very important for a | | | | kicked and if you are in front of them they frequently |
| growing foal and the mare will benefit from moving | | | | strike or rear. They are easier to control at the |
| around, but if she is chasing around after a running foal | | | | shoulder - if necessary your hand closest to their body |
| for too long soon after foaling, she can get | | | | can hold them at the withers to stop any rearing, and |
| overheated. If possible a small private paddock for a | | | | the other hand can hold both ends of the rope under |
| few days is easier on the mare and the handler. Many | | | | their chin and guide them. You can start this in the stall |
| breeders don't put a halter on the newborn foal to | | | | also if you have a very spirited foal, but it usually |
| take them outside, they wrap one arm around the | | | | works better while you are leading the mare |
| foal's chest and the other around the rump and hold | | | | somewhere for the extra incentive of wanting to be |
| the dock of the tail and guide them where they want | | | | closer to her. |
| them to go. Another person handles the mare. I prefer | | | | By the time your foal is about two weeks old you |
| this method because it is dangerous for the foal to be | | | | need to start training him to let you pick up his feet. |
| struggling against a halter at this early age - their neck | | | | During the halter training in the stall, if you have |
| and poll are fragile and they can get very frantic and | | | | someone to hold the foal, you can start this lesson. |
| hurt themselves. Keeping everything positive and calm | | | | You only need to pick them up for a couple of |
| from the beginning is very important. | | | | seconds and put them back down. Try to put the foot |
| Halter training can begin in the stall. A couple of days | | | | down yourself and not let him jerk it out of your hand. |
| after the foal is born; I start putting the halter on the | | | | Then give him lots of praise and scratches. Always |
| foal once or twice a day, petting and praising them for | | | | remain close to his side and don't try to lift the leg up |
| a few minutes, and then remove it. Gradually, I will | | | | too high. If your foal does not want you to touch his |
| leave it on a little longer, but not unless someone is | | | | legs, you will have to begin with just getting him over |
| there to keep an eye on them. Foals are very good at | | | | that issue. The more you touch him the easier he will |
| getting their feet caught in the halter, so it is important | | | | be to handle and will learn to trust you. Positive |
| that it fits well. Sometimes, they will decide that they | | | | experiences will result in more positive experiences |
| don't want to be caught or that they don't want that | | | | and the beginning of a trusting attitude in your foal. |
| thing over their nose. I let them smell the halter and rub | | | | |