Handling issues

[scotsmare]

I got my foal home today (that's the good part!)

However, she doesn't lead - period. Just plants herself and refuses to go forward.

She was pretty much chased onto the lorry with a schooling whip cos she wouldn't lead or load (the not loading bit was fairly understandable though there was a buddy on board).

She also doesn't catch and is now in a stable with a headcollar on (she's apparently worn a headcollar all the time - even in the youngstock barn).

So, before this turns into war and peace

What is the best way, in your experience to sort these issues out as chasing her with a whip is not an option - I need to be able to lead her independently. I'm aware that time is the main thing that I'll need but all suggestions gratefully received.

It's quite frustrating when things that you take for granted haven't been done.......

 

[Hollycat]

Poor you! Thats really awful. Don't have any advice as much more experienced peeps on the forum than me. You would think she knew the basics by weaning though. A friend who has a stud has the foals leading past tactors, lorries etc and travelling in the box with mum before they are weaned so they are not phased by anything. And it works! At least you have her now and can give her a good education

 

[PrincessDana]

Have you tried getting her to follow another horse? You could try that and gradually ask her to go in front. My first filly was a nightmare for the first 3 days after i got her and then settled down.

Best of luck with her xx

 

[air78]

Use a thin head collar or pressure halter, and ask her to take a step sideways towards you by pulling gently on the rope- the idea is to unbalance her slightly to she'll have to move a hoof. as soon as she moves a foot stop pulling, so she knows she's done the right thing. Then move to the other side and ask her towards you again.... you'll be moving forwards in a zig-zag pattern. She'll soon get the hang of it

I'm not keen on encouraging from behind usually, it diverts their attention away from you.
r.e. the loading..... if she won't lead, she won't load; so keep up your leading practice and she'll be fine.

As for the catching; make sure you approach her in a really sensitive way- eye's down, shoulders rounded, body not square on to her, and don't be in a rush. you might find that if she looks at you, and you take a step away, she'll come towards you to check you out a bit

Once you've got her, practice putting a head collar on and off over the one she's wearing.

Good luck

 

[Vickijay]

Hi,
I posted a simular problem a few days ago about my filly. Please be warned I am in NO WAY an expert on foals as these 2 are my first so this may not be the best way to do it. I only posted cos I was in exactly the same position when we basically lifted up my filly (she was well handled but NEVER lead) and put her in my truck on wed and got back home got her out and couldnt even move her the 30' to her stable!!

I practiced leading her with my other filly (who does lead) then went in the school and practiced there with my friend leading my other aroud seperatley. Every time she planted I stepped 2 (ish) steps to the left or right and gave her a pull to move her again (I could move her that way cos she was more off balance) then off we went again walking in random shapes around the school doing the same thing each time she stopped (which she did about 3 more times) Then she pretty much followed me.

I wasnt leading her per say I was walking in random directions with a loose ish lunge rein (looped through, not clipped on) when she followed me I was full on with good girls/nice scratches and when she didnt follow me she got a tug (not hard but so there was some pressure) on the rope then a release of pressure and loads more good girls when she came up by my side.

You could see her getting it almost like she was thinking "ohhh when I stay near this human its nice and when I try to bu**er off in another way its not so nice" All this took about 6 mins and then I felt she had done enough.

In the afternoon I had a 5 min practice around outside near where there stable is and she was really good at staying with me and even went to try and touch the cows and this morning she walked out to the field leading most of the way with her friend.

Please remember tho that this worked for me but may not be the best way at all as Im good (ish) with naughty grown ups but still deffo work in progress with babies!!!!

Vicki ps sorry its long!

 

[koeffee]

try her following another horse, i start mine with a long rope around there hind quarters, release pressure when they start walking, it doesnt take long for the penny to drop, i had mine walking down the road with mum at 24hrs old being led(field was 100yards down a busy rd, but wide verged!)and bomb proof in traffic within weeks!!!

 

[JanetGeorge]

[ QUOTE ]
I got my foal home today (that's the good part!)

However, she doesn't lead - period. Just plants herself and refuses to go forward.
...
It's quite frustrating when things that you take for granted haven't been done.......

[/ QUOTE ]

It's appalling really! We have mares arrive here with 6 week old foals that haven't been touched, don't know what a headcollar IS etc. So have lots of practice in sorting them out. It's never a problem with our own as they are caught, handled and led from day 1.

This is the method we use to teach 'planters' to lead.

The important thing is to leave their heads reasonably free (never pull on them - that creates resistance.) Use the bum-rope along with a voice command. Yep - they'll shoot forward the first couple of times - go with them and LET them move slightly in front of you - just check back a bit with the headcollar when you can't keep up.

They will quickly learn that planting is NOT an option and that when you say - WAAALK - they walk! Ideally, practice initially on grass or in a manege - NOT on concrete. The foal in the pic was a perfect leader - just put the bum-rope on him to illustrate how it's done for someone else having the same problem.

As he is in a stable and has a head-collar on, catching is easier. Basically you need to block him with your body to prevent him running around the box - just keep him in a corner (AWAY from the door!!) Don't do anymore than stop him running past you.

Gradually move closer until you can touch him and give him 'scratchies' - either on the shoulder or on the rump. Do nothing else EXCEPT 'scratchies' until he's relaxed. It will take time - but this is a step that can't be hurried. Gradually work your way to his neck - still giving 'scratchies' until you can put your arm around his neck (from under the neck) - grip your hand with your other hand and 'hold' him around the neck - and then quietly replace your arm with a leadrope.

Get him used to moving around you with the rope around his neck (all my youngsters can be caught and led with a piece of string - or even the sleeve of a jumper in an emergency - because they have learnt that something around their neck means they are CAUGHT!)

Once he's happy with this you can try removing and replacing the headcollar. Do NOT present him with the noseband in the 'normal' way. Have the front of the noseband in your hand and just stroke his nose and bring the headpiece up around his neck with the other hand - then it's easy to just lift your hand (and the noseband) with a grip with the other hand on the headpiece so he is still 'caught'.

Stay calm and quiet - don't rush it - and in a few days he'll be fine.

 

[eventrider23]

That pic is FAB Janet George...that method is EXACTLY the same as I use and just what I was going to describe but I need say no more after your fab description as well as pic...as they say - a picture will say a thousand words!

 

[CrazyMare]

Janet method looks just like the method we used with a reluctant loader.

I'd also spend some time just being in the stable, not doing alot, just being there, maybe sitting in the banks on the opposite side to foalie, and let foalies natural curiosity lead him/her over to you. Don't reach out to touch to start with, just let him/her come and go, after a while, give a scratch to a non sensitive bit, without being too quick - slow movements.

Foalie should get more used to you and you can start doing things the proper way