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  Discussion on Avoiding Accidents with foals
Author Message
Member:
Shiloh

Posted on Friday, Oct 27, 2006 - 6:23 am:

I wonder if anyone can advise me with a situation I find myself in with my foal. He is 9 months old now and very big and strong for his age. I have a paddock where I am allowed to let my foal, its mother and another mare of mine run free. I have to put my horses out alone and need some advice of how to do this best. The paddock is just a short 2 minute walk. Presently I put my 5 yr old mare out first so she can have a blast by herself as she is very frisky. Then comes the problem with the foal and mother. I can't lead them both together as they are both too strong and the foal is getting rough to handle. If I lead the mother and let the foal follow he runs off and there's a busy road nearby. I have tried putting the foal in first but then the mother freeks out and is too strong to hold back. Today I put the mother in first then went with the foal he was fine at first then threw his head and hit me full in the face almost knocking me out (I have a big black eye). Is there a better way of doing this please?
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Friday, Oct 27, 2006 - 10:27 am:

This foal is weaned, right? You obviously should be working on training him away from his mother. Do the two of them have to be turned out together? Do you have a place where they can see each other but not be together?

Until you get the colt trained, just so you don't get hurt or your horses either, if the mare will follow quietly you can lead the colt and loop the mare's lead through your belt. Don't tie her lead to you though! If you can lead the colt with one hand, lead the mare with the other, and if the colt acts up just DrOp the mare's lead if you have to.

Best would be to tie the mare up and give her something to eat to keep her from acting up while you lead the colt out first, then go back and get the mare. And, use a light stud chain on colt to keep him from hurting you. And, find the time to work on leading him without his mother coming also.
Member:
Paardex

Posted on Friday, Oct 27, 2006 - 2:07 pm:

Occasionally we tied the foal to the mothers single.I do think however this foal is to big and needs to learn to be walked alone.
I always do them first because even a frisky 5 year old will be educated better then a foal.
Jos
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 27, 2006 - 6:00 pm:

9 month old foals are supposed to be big and strong which is why you really want to address these issues when they are about 3 days old but here we are. I agree with Sara that at this time the mare and foal need to be separated to help you with this difficult situation. Teaching a horse to lead is teaching respect for the halter, which is really the extension of the handler. We give techniques and tips at Training & Conditioning Horses » Behavior and Training » Halter Training and Tying Horses.
DrO
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