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  Discussion on Help, my new 4mo old colt wants nothing to do with me
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2001 - 1:49 am:

He was delivered 2 weeks ago and I am still not able to get close enough to touch. I don't want to force it. I could use some advice. Sitting in his coral one hour per day since his arrival just quietly talking to him does not do it, goodies don't do it. What else can I do? My dogs have become his new buddies, he is calm and has adjusted well to his new home, but completely ignores people. It is time to get that halter on. Any advise would be very much appreciated.
I am at a loss with this colt. Our own foals are always imprinted at birth, lead by the time they are 5 days old and are all friendly towards people. If I don't get it done my way, my husband will do it his way - and I don't like having to rope such a young colt. Linda

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2001 - 4:43 am:

Hello Linda,
If the horse was previously use to being handled, you could try withholding feed until he approaches. But better might be to use a technique best described by Monty Roberts though others do it and call it something else. He calls it joining up. Please, no Monty bashers.

It is best done in a round pen. Essentially the horse is allowed to run around the coral until he is willing to talk to you. If he stops but is still not interested in coming toward you he is actively pushed around the coral with a lunge whip (no you do not have to strike him) until he shows interest in coming to you. Some of the cues looked for are:
Lower head carriage
An ear cocked toward you
Softer eye
Chewing motions
Turning toward you as he stops
I think he has some others but this is the subjective end theat requires experience: His he thinking about me and allowing me to approach.

The goal is to get the horse to approach you or at the very least not run when you approach him. If when you approach him he does turn away back to being pushed around the round pen. The method is effective and if done properly takes amazing little time to get results. I have even caught "bad citizens" in large paddocks using this technique and though it was to do something awful, like daily injections, found that every day they were a it better till they were coming to me when ever I approached.
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2001 - 11:40 am:

Thank you so much for your quick response Dr.O.
The problem is that he was never handled. Comes from a large breeding farm, where they rope to do maintenance until they go under saddle. This little colt was dramatized and just does not trust people. He tries to climb the fence when I approach too close. He loves his belly, and since he is eating well, I will try to withhold the "goody bucket" if he does not come close enough to eat. I have made progress, in as much as he is coming to eat right next to me, if I sit quietly on his salt block, but if my hand reaches to touch - he is gone. I guess this will test my patience. Once I get the halter on, I will do the roundpen thing. Thanks again. Linda

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2001 - 1:24 pm:

I have seen foals "learn by example." My mare's foal used to observe people working in the riding ring and then duplicate it - she'd see a horse/rider do a 20 m circle so she'd tear around in a circle and stop, watching for the next movement. She also used her mum as an example.

Do you have another horse? Perhaps if you handle and work with your other horse near the young one, he will provide a "good example" of horse/people interactions. The older horse's confidence in you and willingness to accept your handling could inspire the foal to cooperate more.

Monty's method is very effective. It establishes the "safe zone" as being next to you.

Some of the TTEAM techniques are helpful, too. Using a "wand" as an extension to your arm and stroking from a distance, for example. I would work on just getting the little guy to accept stroking on his withers, etc. and hold off on the halter and restraint a bit.

We used to catch my mare's foal by stooping low (getting small) and allowing her to come to us.

Also, approach the foal in a circular manner - not a direct line. Be sure to turn your head sideways and don't look directly. Lick your lips. Walk a few steps and wait. Wander this way and that. Back up some. The idea would be to have an ever decreasing circle of comfort around the foal - i.e. 20 ft. the first day, 15 the next, etc.

Sprinkle some grain or hay around the ground near you. If you can sing, do so softly. Read aloud. Move as slowly and unthreatening as possible.

When you do stroke, use the back of your hand rather than the palm so as to not look like a claw. You can also wear a fuzzy mit that hides your fingers.

Work with the thought that you have ALL the time in the world and accept the rate the foal is able to respond - unless he is sick, there is no rush.

Good luck with him.

Chris

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2001 - 1:36 pm:

My 4 year old was fostered on to a virtually untouchable mare, who was an excellent mother, but not a very good example!

I used to sit in the field for hours on end waiting for him to come to me! We got to the stage where he'd have a groom and his feet picked up, all without any restraint. In the end we were able to catch him easier than his foster mum, and that's how we'd get the pair of them!

He is now what I call a 'people pony' - would rather be with humans if they are in the paddock!

I've had quite a few 'wild types' (various ages 1-5) that we've rescued from sales, and they come round in the end - I think it's a case of patience!

Good Luck

Heidi
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