Whilst searching the net it appears ok to start socialising a foal from a few days old...?

Question

by this i mean snuzzles and petting etc, moving on to being able to drape a rope over the neck halter lead etc... I would not consider breaking in/training until 3 (please don't dwell on this its my personal preference and you won't get me to start at 2)

How young though is too young for socialising picking up feet etc. Obviously i'm not planning on walking into a stall and grooming at just hours old, but i see the logic in the younger they start the less there is to startle them!

All answers recieved with thanks!

Answer 1

i have heard of getting some kind of contact within the first 24 hours of birth.. its called "impressioning" so they horse soon relates to both horses an people. because i have no interest in getting a foal soon or breeding my mare at the moment, i dont.. but i think if you start within the first week just touching his feet and picking them up a little bit, it shouldnt have harmful effects whatsoever..

Answer 2

I think you answered your own question

Answer 3

i totally agree with you about not doing any serious training until 3. i'd halter break the foal as soon as possible so its not too traumatic for him. then just practice some leading around the stall once hes a few weeks old. be sure to run your hands all over his body too so that he doesn't develop sensative spots.

Answer 4

Yes most definitely. Handling as much as you can at this early age will imprint on the foal that humans are not to be feared and to be touched is a nice experience. I would not consider a halter or rope of any kind for at least 2 months but preparation by way of stroking him/her GENTLY with the rope/halter/whatever. The main thing at the moment is plenty of VERY GENTLE touching EVERYWHERE. Pay particular attention to the legs, belly, head and back and be extremely calm, talking quietly and lovingly. Don't be tempted to treat with titbit's and don't let him/her mouth too much a this can lead to nipping later - just push the head gently away with a firm "NO" at this stage but don't get obsessive about it. Be very aware of the mother AT ALL TIMES and don't take unnecessary risks. Personally I agree with you concerning breaking age but there is a huge amount of work to do prior to that - believe me!  This is a huge subject and I could go on all day but I think I've answered your question.

Answer 5

When we had our foal, we were messing with her from day one. She was being groomed within the first couple weeks. She had had a halter on before she was 2 months olds. We started playing with her hooves pretty quick, too. Obviously, wait until she is stable on her own four legs. Otherwise, I don't see any reason not to do it as early as possible. I think that the more you let them experience at a young age, the better. When they are young is the best time to give them positive experiences, because they don't have a fear to associate with yet. As long as you make it positive, you could be picking up her feet within the first couple months.

Answer 6

I start right when they hit the deck.

Answer 7

Halter breaking and leading can be very traumatic experiences if attempted when the foal is 5 or 6 months of age. Therefore, it is preferable to start such procedures when the foal is a week or two of age. Most breeders prefer to fit a soft leather halter to the foal a few days after birth. The first lessons are accomplished quite easily with a young foal and require a minimum of time and effort. Teaching a foal to lead, to have its feet handled and to be groomed is much easier when the foal is young. The effects of early positive experiences have been reported to influence later behavior.

Answer 8

There is no too young for that.  Do it when they are calm enough not to run away.

Answer 9

I handled my guy from when he was hours old.  He had a halter on by two days old, and I was messing with his feet and ears within the first week.  Never to early to start with the basic stuff. My colt is three months old now, and he is the best behaved baby at the barn. He leads, ties, cross ties, gets hosed, fly sprayed, I have put light stuff on his back etc. Whatever he might get exposed to later in life under saddle, I want him exposed to it now.

Answer 10

Imprinting a foal to human contact can be done within hours of being foaled.  We always handle our foals as soon as possible (don't get me wrong, we give the mare and foal time to bond) starting with the initial doctoring of the foal by just rubbing them and touching them all over.  This helps in the latter days when you want to begin working with them.  We then put a halter on them within a week, just to get them used to it.  We don't ever leave the halter on, as this can cause some major accidents.  When ever we put the halter on, we rub them all over including down their legs.  We slowly work on them to start leading, just a couple steps at a time.  We will typically start this process and then give them a few days to themselves.  By the time they are a couple of months old, we can lead them and then have our farrier (who is great with youngsters) come and trim their feet.  We have never had any problems, so far.  By 3 months, we can usually lead them fairly consistently and have also introduced them to getting bathed (just introduced to water, no full bath yet).  If trained right and not using fear techniques, by the time they are ready to be weaned, they lead right in the trailer and no problems.  During weaning is when we spend the most time as that is when they are looking for a friend.  Just as a side note, babies that are shedding their baby hair are really itchy and love to be scratched and groomed, this also helps in them learning to trust you, just watch out for them trying to return the favor.  Good luck and have fun with your foal, they grow up really fast.