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  Discussion on Starting a foal
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New Member:
Soggy

Posted on Thursday, Apr 27, 2006 - 4:51 pm:

Is there any evidence that starting training almost immediately is beneficial for the training of a horse? I mean more than just imprinting. Are there any indications for or against taking a foal - I don't even know when one would start - and starting to do rudimentary lunging with some sort of light desensitising pseudo-saddle and bridle? Maybe it's already being done, I don't know. The thought occurred to me since I'm raising a 2 year old human, that one has to start immediately training the child in the basics to help with obedience later. Would that work on a foal?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Apr 28, 2006 - 7:31 am:

There is nothing at all wrong with training the mind of a foal as early as possible. However physical exercise is something different as too much may result in early onset arthritis. We have many discussions on this at, Training Horses » Training Your Horse's Body » Training Your Horse's Body topics not covered by the above.
DrO
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Friday, Apr 28, 2006 - 11:15 am:

Some things that you can do without causing any injury to legs and joints:

Get the foal to lead properly, including backing up, and yielding to side pressure

Get it used to having it's feet picked up and cleaned

Get it used to being handled all over, including ears, mouth, belly, and genitals

Get it used to going in and out of a trailer

Get it used to everything scarey that you can think of....plastic blowing in the wind, noise, big trucks and equipment, bicycles, etc.

Get it used to having a saddle pad, blanket, etc. on it's back

Get it used to water, both walking in it, and getting bathed.

There is a good book by John Lyons called "Bringing Up Baby" that has some good information, and ages to start specific training.
Member:
Erika

Posted on Friday, Apr 28, 2006 - 3:16 pm:

Good stuff, Sarah.
One of my fillies' favorite toys when they were little was a big tarp that made a rattly sound when moved. They would come running when they saw me bring it out. They danced on it, and threw it over each other--of course scaring the older horses to death! Also a plywood board was good for getting used to walk on scary stuff.
Both fillies will walk over just about anything I ask them to now.
Member:
Soggy

Posted on Friday, Apr 28, 2006 - 5:37 pm:

Thanks! I don't have a foal yet. I got my current horse at 3 years. He was very, very green, and I've enjoyed the experience of training him. I'd like to get a foal at some time. I'll have to get that book - thanks for the recommendations!
Member:
Boomer

Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 11:40 am:

Ok, I hope someone can give me some advice. I've got a 5 week old paint filly who is a little stinker. She pins her ears and turns her but and kicks at you. How do I get this nipped in the bud now! I tapped her bottom and in a stern voice told her no but that's all I've done. She's really just started this behavior this past week, she was quite a sweetheart before. I'm waiting for Mom to start correcting her but so far nothing. She's getting pretty rough around Mom too.
The mare is a broodmare my husband bought for me a few months back as a gift, husband doesn't know anything about horses (although we do have 4 other really nice ones) and thought this mare was a good deal...but failed to research and so when she arrived she was pregnant and unhandled. She came from a huge ranch that the owner had died and the children were liquidating his herd of from what I have found about 100. So long story short, I've got a somewhat of a problem. But, Mom isn't mean at all, hasn't pinned her ears or tried to kick. She's just not got a lot of trust at the moment. She's come a long way...
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 11:54 am:

If you go to "training menu" click on "behavior problems" then click on "foals behaving badly" there is a lot of good advice.
Member:
Qh4me

Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 1:27 pm:

Hi Patricia,

I just posted a couple of weeks ago about a similar situation. You can find some good ideas from my post as well as the above spot Sara pointed too.

Horse Training -> Behaviour problems -> Behaviour modifications, Conditioning, Desensitizing.... -> How to Discipline young foals

My 2 day old colt was very bold and kicked out quite aggressively as well. From the post you will get some good ideas, and the tube worked wonders! As did lots of turnout!

Good luck!
Member:
Boomer

Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 4:45 pm:

Thanks, I will read it. Hope everyone has had a nice weekend!
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 11:40 am:

A trend I have started to see is that the mares do not always correct this kind of behavior. I almost think that they do not see it as a problem. When you think about it, if you had a horse in the wild, would'nt you rather have it be wild and aggressive ?
My friend just had two opposite temperment babies back to back out of the same mare. The wild sassy one got away with everything. Now she has calm complacent baby(every owners dream) and the mare is nipping and nagging this baby all day.
So in other words, it is our problem to fix. My first foal was a monster. He would strike at every one, climb all over his mother and kick at her. she did nothing. So I weaned and gelded him at 3 months and stuck him in with a cranky pony. It helped a little. But bottom line, he (now 12) is a very alpha horse and if he were in the wild and still intack he would no doubt be top dog. But a note of encouragement . . . . he still is a pain on the ground requiring continual re-enforcement, but a total sweethart when you are on his back.
Member:
Erika

Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 9:31 pm:

It seems like all the babies try out their dominating skills sometimes. Just keep correcting the foal while it is still little enough not to hurt you. I found that a sharp yell was usually enough to startle them into behaving. But, doesn't hurt to carry a long crop if you need to give a little reinforcement. One whack on the butt is no worse than the mother would do if she were bothered by a kick that came too close.
Member:
Christos

Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 4:00 am:

Erika, I'd like to suggest never to employ a whack on the butt literally, especially with foals. You do not want to provoke kicking reflexes that may become a habit and you do not want the foal to ever think that his hind end may be attacked. They come with this idea already embedded in their brain, all our efforts must be towards forgetting it rather than reinforcing it.
I think a whack on the shoulder is more appropriate.
Member:
Erika

Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 6:44 am:

Fair enough, Christos. I found that a quick reaction of almost anything worked on my "kid". The point was to get her attention as immediately as possible during the bad behavior. Shoulder would be better, but it can be harder to reach when the hooves are at lip level!
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