Training foals tips?

Question

Hi i was just wonderin if anyone had tips for training/working with foals or maybe a link to a good website? any training tips would be appreciated, im just tryin to stock my knowledge up and learn everything i can thanks!

Answer 1

#1 and foremost....do not let the baby rear up on you, kick at you, bite at you or chase you around because you think it's cute.  This leads to an out of control yearling that is dangerous!

Letting this baby nibble on your fingers or push you around because he thinks you are his toy is such a huge mistake made by many.

My girlfriend has learned the hard way.  She has a 4 year old out of control and she can't even go into his stall OR lead him without the fear of being attacked by him.

#2:  Practice picking up the feet now.  Do it slow, don't scare him.  Rubs (no patting) and slow pressure to pick it up.  If he starts to get scared immediately place it back on the ground (don't just drop it...that damages the hoof, leg, and his mind)

When he's older you hold onto it until he stops moving then softly place it back on the ground.

#3:  Rub all over the body and put hand over the back to rub the other side.  Rub the head, ears...over the eyes, down the legs, under the belly.  rub rub rub

#4  Exposure to lots of 'odd' things.  

ie.  Blow dryer noise, crinkling paper, buzzing clippers,  ropes over back, brushes, boxes, small tarp piece..etc...

#5.  Rub halter over body and practice just putting on nose (but not hooking) to get him ready for the big halter day.

#6. Press finger into chest to get him to move away.  Get him started on moving away from pressure.

(finger into shoulder/chest/butt)  You need to be patient..his little brain may take a few to realize what is going on.  At first he will get mad or actuall walk toward you when you do this.

#7.  Spray....water in bottle and practice the spray.  I do this by using the mom and getting him with the over spray on his legs then I rub him and walk away, two times a day minimum.

that's some of the stuff I have done without going into actual training details.  There is so much out there but you have to remember a foal is delicate so you need to be easy.  Don't ruin his mind and overload it right away.  Let him settle on one or two things one week then add a new one.

The key to a foal is to keep everything simple for him.  Make it a happy experience and one that makes him say "wow, that was fun, wonder what we can do next!"

Quit the second you get the smallest of small accomplishments with a foal.  Sometimes he won't look at the object until after 3 minutes. THAT is when you stop.  He sees that he looked at it and it went away.  EASY.

Next time he will (possibly) look at it faster so you hold on a little longer then leave.  See?

If you want specifics, email me. :)

Answer 2

Hi!  Well, thats great that your stocking up on your knowledge!  I am currently training a my little mare and the best information you can possibly get is in Clinton Anderson's Colt Starting series.  Because I am only 14, I know that his way is the easiest to comprehend and do.  He has a video tape series, a book, and a television show on RFD TV.  I highly encourage you to check it out.  Everything he does is natural horsemanship and he is pure genius!  You can go to his website, "Clinton Anderson Downunder Horsemanship." If I were you, I would also stock up on any training books I could get my hands on.  If you know any horse trainers personally, you can ask them for advice or watch them while they're training.  Well, I hope I helped!  Remember to never stop learning, either!!!

Answer 3

I have used these training tips with my 2 year old mare and I think it has established a great order to our partnership.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Four-Ways-to-T...

Answer 4

Get the book called "storeys guide to training horses" The arthor is Heather Smith Thomas.The book costs around $20.00 but it is well worth the money.It tells you EVERYTHING about training foals and horses and it tells you in detail what to do if your horse acts a certain way(spooks,kicks,bites,cribs,ect..) The book tells you in detail how to train horses to lead,back up,break,trailer train them,pull buggies,jump,do barrels,and more! The book has 512 pages..its a big book. It also tells you how to retrain a wild or out of control horse that was spoiled.

http://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Training-H...

Answer 5

Pat Parelli really helps!

Make sure you don't let them get away with anything! They can develop bad habits easily when they are young and that will not be good!

Answer 6

Foals, like children, are very sensitive in mind, so when teaching them, make sure there is a lot of praise. For example, if he comes to you when you walking into his stall or pasture, pet him and and use your voice to tell him what a good job he has done. However, you need to make sure that when you pet him you are petting him all over (this gets him used to being touched and not becoming squirmy, because he associates petting with good things) and when you use your voice to praise him, you don't take up a high pitched babying voice. This is because when he is older and used to your baby voice, he will simple ignor anything said in your normal voice.

When getting him used to walking with a halter and leadrope next to you, a nice trick is called butt-rope. Silly name, yes, but it is very pratical and extremely helpful. All you need to do is loop the leadrope around from his chest to his haunches and back the other side. You will then hold the clip of the leadrope and the end of the leadrope in one hand, making sure it if firm around his haunches. Now, you have leverage against him and will be able to walking him next to you much easier.

These are basics. I just told you some of the things that really helped the foals at my barn grow up into fine, obeying horses. If you are looking for more information, there are many books, websites and magazines that can help you more one the subject.

Have a great day.

Answer 7

Be gentle but firm! Habits such as nibbling may be cute now, but not so cute when he's 5!!! I'll find some websites out for you and add them :-) Also, there is a book called "From foal to 5 years" and it's really good - google it!