handling a foal

[joingall]

I am having my first foal experience! Rolo as he's called is beautiful and is now 10days old! We have spent the last 10 days touching him all over and getting him used to us and all of a sudden he's become very playful. He comes at you baring teeth or up on his back feet. He is usually very calm and sweet. I am presuming this is normal colt behaviour as he does it to his mum ( who does nothing). I 'm stamping my feet and saying no when he comes at me just wondering if this is right. He tends to run off when that happens. Are there any other methods? I don't really want to physically repremand him unless I have too. I'm saying no and then trying to ignore him when he comes nibbling.
Also am slowly getting him used to halter, touching him all over with it putting it on and off his nose. But when i try and do it up he wriggles and runs off. I don't wont to have a battle but don't know wether to keep going slowly slowly or should I try and wrestle him into it? Advice much appreciated as I don't wont to make any mistakes with him.
Finally , sorry its long. The mare needs her feet doing next week. should I try and keep foal on other side of gate as not haltered yet or let him see what farriers doing? Obviously if I get him haltered I can try and control him but don't wont him upsetting farrier or for him to have a bad experience.

 

[jeanne]

I'd suggest get a foal slip on asap - I usually put one on as soon as born - get him used to being held with you holding one arm behind his bum and the other round his chest. Do you have somone to help? I wouldn't want mum to be on the other side of a gate, if you haven't got him haltered by the time farrier is coming, couldn't you do mare just inside field with foal loose? You're right about not wanting to get into a fight and that's why it's good to get him used to his bum being touched so you can push him forward with your arm behind him (leading from the near-side but with your left hand, and with your right arm behind him) always pushing him, never pulling. Good luck!

 

[Delarose]

Hi Joflo

Yes, its normal behaviour and you are going to have to be firm with him.

That may require physcially reprimanding him but don't feel bad. If he keeps nipping when he is near you, keep your elbow waggling and he'll end up bashing into it all by himself. If he comes at you then do as mum / another horse would do, turn round and feign a kick at him (pretend your kick boxing) - it works honest! If he really won't back off then you need something like a rubber skip to bash him with and if he kicks you and makes contact then kick him back. You won't hurt him as much as he is going to hurt you and he definitely will think twice about coming back for a second go. When I've had foals like this, I have reduced the time I spend with them outside of routine like leading in and out of the field, teaching to pick up feet etc. That doesn't mean I don't give them a scratch and a fuss but not without boundaries and manners. I have also found that, once they are old enough (4wks onwards), putting them in with another mare and foal gives them someone else to "play with" and you soon become very uninteresting.

With the halter, if he won't stand for you, get someone to help hold him quietly while you fasten it. (one hand round the front, one hand holding the tail - only put pressue on the tail if he trys to run off). The problem is that when they wriggle, you end up putting pressure on their nose, they panic and off they go. Try not to get hands all in front of his eyes, bring the head collar up under his chin, over his nose, with your hands behind, either side of his head. (gosh thats difficult to expain).
Once his nose is in, wait until he is standing quietly before you do it up. You are avoiding putting pressure on his nose when you do this part. (When you do this on your own, once its over his nose, hold the two fastening ends together with one hand and steady him with the other on his chest. Talk to him quietly, give him a scratch and then do the headcollar up).

Re the farrier, if he can do your mare in the box then thats the best option. Foal can be loose and you just need to keep him out of the farriers way. (ie on the opposite side to the one the farrier is working). If not, make sure someone can hold the foal close to mum but again, not in the way of the farrier. You can let him wander around her but if he is quite independant this may not be a good idea. Don't try and separate them, he's too young and mum will probably get upset.

Hope this helps, its difficult to write - drop into a local stud farm and ask if they would mind you observing, they've done it all a hundred times and I'm sure would be happy to help.

 

[holiday]

We tend to do our mares in the field then foalie can do what he wants and is safe - usually help the farrier, ours yesterday decided he wanted a drink so he just shoved his way in past the farrier which had us in fits of laughter!!! Weve found it more difficult in the yard as the foals tend to go off to have a look round and upset the mare. Ask your farrier what he would prefer you to do with both to make it easier for him.

Foals usually go round to the other side of the mare or just have peeps at whats happening to mum, if the farrier has to nudge him out of the way it wont hurt or frighten him.

 

[joingall]

Thanks thats a great help. Will try again with a bit of help tomorrow with head collar. He was better today with the playing giving us more space so I'll keep perservering and try a few of your techniques. Unfortunately there isn't another mare and foal only a 2yr old mare and a 6 year old gelding pony which are in a sepreate paddock. We're waiting till foals a bit older to introduce them someone suggested about 3 months. They have little intros over the gate while we're there and we'll slowly build that up.

 

[tilesheds]

Someone mentioned last week about Richard Maxwell's "Training your young horse' (I think! The follow on book to"from birth to backing"). She said she used it like a bible. I sent for it straight away, as I was a bit unsure how to handle our new filly. Read it carefully and do exactly as he says. Its brilliant, an absalute god send. Cant believe that such simple excercises could be so straight forward. Mind you we have had a few tantrums and my legs have been like jelly on a number of occasions, but it is brilliant. The foal slip can sometimes be easier put on if you crouch down to put it on. The foal may feel threatened by your height. It worked a treat. Got it on first time. Good luck xx