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Discussion on Effectiveness of Early Intensive Handling (Imprinting) of Foals
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Dec 19, 2005 - 2:08 pm:
In what was one of the most interesting presentations at the 2005 AAEP meeting, Dr Nancy Diehl reviewed the research and published experiences on using "Foal Imprinting" to help raise well adjusted horses. Note that the term foal imprinting has fallen out of disfavor with everyone because of the confusion with the psychological event seen in some species is not exactly what is happening. In reviewing the research Dr. Diehl concludes, "A number of studies have been undertaken to determine the short- and long-term benefit of early, intensive handling of foals, commonly known as "imprint training. There have been no profound differences found in subsequent response to handling between foals that have a regimented early handling procedure and those maintained under routine management. Control subjects in these various systematic studies provide evidence of the ability of foals and young horses to decrease reactivity to handling after a range of routine positive interactions with humans." To access the article on Imprinting and more on this study click on "Imprinting the Newborn Foal" off the navigation bar above.
DrO
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Member:
Aannk
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Posted on Monday, Dec 19, 2005 - 2:39 pm:
OK, I am a little confused. They are saying that JUST imprinting without the follow up daily handling isn't any better than daily handling alone? If that is the case, I guess I won't be worrying too much about getting to New Bolton to imprint the baby Lilly will have in 2007! I did both with Guinness, and he was the best behaved horse on the ground in the barn in regards to trusting and not trying to hurt humans (according to every vet that handled him). However, he was not the bravest horse around!!
I think it is easier to introduce all the scary things to a baby, as they are not strong enough to fight you, but it didn't work with my baby, and I did study hard to do it right. He did trust humans though, and was very unworried about having to spend time with other horses, which helped when he broke his leg as a three year old.
Not sure of the point of this, sorry 
Alicia
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 20, 2005 - 7:16 am:
Alicia your first statement of interpretation is not correct. They are saying, and I am paraphrasing here, "in the research projects studied where there were controls, those foals who received early intensive handling where not significantly different, from a behavioral point of view, than those who were not intensively handled."
And the point of this is to pass on to you what is known about early intensive handling.
DrO
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Member:
Aannk
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 20, 2005 - 10:03 am:
I meant the point of what "I" was posting, not you
I see, so they are saying the IT does absolutely nothing. Interesting. That makes me feel a whole lot better about my plan to send Lilly to New Bolton for foaling.
Thanks,
Alicia
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 21, 2005 - 9:25 am:
Well they are not wording it that strongly, but they are saying they have not been able to see much effect in the studies they have looked at.
DrO
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Member:
Aannk
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 21, 2005 - 9:37 am:
Dr O.,
I guess I feel that it did make a difference in the way my horse felt around humans, comfort wise. But, it did not make him less spooky about other things. I would love my baby to look at me as a safe thing from day one. I hope "she" (wishful thinking) will get good handling at New Bolton which hopefully will make her like people as much as Guinness did.
Alicia
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Member:
Christel
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 21, 2005 - 10:07 am:
This research supports what I have always thought- imprinting is nice and a good way to sell a few books, but I truly don't bond w/ my foals until their dams are out of the picture. To me that is the way it should be. We should let our horses learn to be horses first and our companions 2nd.
I have proven this in the last couple of months. I am helping a friend halter break 3 foals that are approx. 7 months old and that had never been touched by a human. After 3 sessions w/ them they are not any different than my foals who have been handled since birth. After we got their trust they are learning new things as fast as my foals. They are a little spookier but not much, and that may be because we are a little spooked by knowing they have never been touched- in other words maybe our demeanor etc., is not as relaxed as it would be with the foals we know better and have handled.
Great topic Dr O, thanks for bringing it up.
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New Member:
Sureed
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 21, 2005 - 1:23 pm:
I agree with Alicia on the point that the little ones are easier to handle, especially insofar as haltering, leading, loading, and picking up their feet goes. I don't really tie babies at all. I have had rave reviews from the vet and the farrier regarding the behavior of the colt I raised with imprinting and subsequent handling. A strong weanling can do a lot of damage with a well-placed kick and at pushing-60 I'd just as soon do without. At the same time, I agree with allowing the mare to bond and teach baby horsey things, and to making sure babies have opportunities to run and socialize with their peers, which are equally important developmentally.
Thanks for the update Dr. O.
Suzanne
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Member:
Christel
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 21, 2005 - 3:11 pm:
Totally agree Suzanne, I am 51 and they are extremely easier to handle when young. I halter my foals when I take their dams to vet for repro work soon after birth, there is not much leading involved, as they usually always stay right beside mom. I also will try to teach them to tye when they are still on their dams, it seems easier on them. And I do too mess with their feet so hopefully they wont be so hard for my farrier.
I guess the point I was trying to make was that all is not lost if an owner is not able to do all this with the foals, they can still be nice trustworthy horses later on down the road.
Also, I am not convinced it is the 'imprinting' that makes foals any easier to handle, to me anyway its not something they 'remember' for the rest of their lives.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Dec 22, 2005 - 7:11 am:
If you have not read the article there is a more complete description of the findings and a response by Dr. Miller, the originator of early intensive handling of foals (imprinting).
DrO
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