How much handling?

[Miramis]

Another novice foal owner question!!

Just wondered how much handling i should be doing with my new foal without over handling and boring him??

Might add he is 4 1/2 months old and until a week ago was relatively untouched. He's now wearing a headcollar and ive been taking him into a stable every other day. He tie's up nicely now and happily eats his hay. Ive been stroking him all over and lifting his feet which he seems relatively happy with. I spend most of my time handling his mum and just letting him see me moving around him only giving him attention when he comes to me, rather than forcing it.

I am however having a bit of a problem getting him in, he no longer follows mum and is happy to go exploring. And mostly he is too shy for me to get close enough in the field. Any tip's on getting him confident enough to come to me??

Any advice appreciated...even just to hear how much you do with your foal's.

Thanks in advance, Ang.

 

[foxviewstud]

his confidence will come in time, we have a colt foal this yr out of our tb mare who wouldnt let us handle him very much as a baby (she has been mistreated and struggles to trust) he has now been weaned 3wks and i can lead him myself with no problems, pick up all his feet, touch him all over and i managed to rug him yesterday with no problems all out in the field with his dinner infront of him, however he is still a little shy to just walk up to in middle of the field but he is getting there just takes time, i dont handle him everyday though and he is still fab.

 

[daisalph]

Sounds like you've got it just right. Mine is 5 1/2 months and has not really moved beyyond the basic manouevres because we haven't pushed it. He can be tied while eating and we have kept extending the length of time we leave him until now I can groom his mother and another mare before I see to him so he's gradually getting more patient. He wears a nice leather comfortable roomy head collar. I can now lead him to the place he eats which is getting further and further away from Mum. I stroke him all over and say "good boy" in a special voice so that when I say it in other situations he'll have good (food) associations with the sound. I don't expext him or need him to do more than that at this stage. Slowly does it.