Bringing on a foal can be an exciting, yet nerve-racking experience. In this article, we take a look at crucial steps to take from leading, to bathing and grooming.
The upbringing of young horses to training them to be ridden is a complicated and ongoing challenge. However, this challenge is well worth it when the end result is achieved and you are able to see the result of all the hard work you have put in.
From the day your foal arrives and during the first few weeks of his life, he will learn more things in this short space of time than they will for the rest of their lives. Therefore it is crucial to get the start right and have a positive and exciting experience for both you and your animal in order to achieve a more rounded and happy horse. Consistency and patience are key.
“It is crucial to get the start right and have a positive and exciting experience for both you and your animal in order to achieve a more rounded and happy horse”
There are six magic steps when it comes to the early handling of a new foal and they are simply there to teach manners and skills for when the foal grows up.
Each step, or activity, can help build a bond, and allow for the foal to get used to being handled. The foal can learn to listen to the voice and become aware of a human’s motion and movement. These important steps will help set the foal up for a healthy relationship with humans, so be sure to get it right.
The following steps highligh what can be done, not how to do it. We suggest researching each step further before attempting to start with any young horse.
1) Leading
Stroking and talking to the foal and mare are great, non-stressful introductions which also help to make the mare feel comfortable with you being around her and her new foal. Putting on and removing the head collar is a good way to introduce the foal to being led and having his head touched. This can then progress to leading the foal within a few days, to and from the field and in and out of stables, etc. The foal should be led from each side in order to get used to being handled from both sides.
2) Tying up
Begin by putting a lead rope through the string on the tie ring, but NOT tying it. You can then progress to the foal being tied up for short periods. Talk to him soothingly whilst tied up in order to keep the experience calm and positive. Make each experience short and rewarding, gradually increasing the period stood a little each time.
3) Handling feet
Introduce your foal to having his feet picked up and picked out, moving around them much like the farrier would as soon as possible. If the foal pulls the foot away, you must hold onto it until they stop and then place the foot gently down. This is to avoid them making a habit of pulling their feet away which can also lead to kicking.
4) Grooming
Get the foal used to being touched and seeing his mother being groomed, and then groom him with a soft brush for short periods each day. This should be enjoyable and help to increase the bond between the handler and foal.
Use soft brushes, and approach the foal slowly. Use a lower tone and work around both sides evenly.
5) Bathing
Begin by rubbing down with a damp sponge and then eventually running the hose over the foal’s legs in warm weather, to let them get used to the sound and feel of water on their skin. Some foals will play in the water and may find it all rather exciting.
6) Loading
The first step towards successful loading is simply to teach the foal to lead sensibly. Then show the foal around the trailer with the ramp down so they can see inside and have a nosey around. It shouldn’t be stressful – just a normal walk and stopping to look at the interesting trailer. This can gradually build up to walking up the ramp and back down and it may help for the foal to follow the mare, if she is a good loader. Leave the jockey door open to make the trailer feel less enclosed. Then simply walking up the ramp and standing still for a few seconds before walking out again until eventually the foal is able to load correctly and stand.
Assessing future potential
Foals, even at this early stage, can show their potential for the future. You can look for evenness and correction of pace, elasticity, forwardness and looking for correct footfall. You can also see if they have uphill potential and carry themselves well!
Hopefully this early training will provide the basics for a well-mannered and good-to-handle individual before he progresses further as a yearling and is finally broken in as a three-year-old.
For more information on feeding your horse or pony, please contact the HorseHage Helpline on 01803 527257 or visit Horsehage.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.