Leading a foal HELP!

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MorganExpress

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Some of you may already know but I bought my first foal just under a month ago. She is quiet and so easy to handle except for two problems which are becoming worse and worse.

a)The first is doing up a head collar, i can touch her head and ears and fiddle with the collar but the min i go to do it up she rears to strike out, she has done this since day one and it isn't getting better , ive tried talking to her and soothing her but she gets worse, i've also tried being stern with her and she gets worse, biting and rearing and has smacked me in the face with he nose so many times ive lost count .. the only way i can do it is distracting her with dinner, this isnt a habit i want her to carry on and need an effective safe way to cure it! HELP!

b) Leading, she will lead up to certain point on the yard with no problem then she insist on rearing striking out, bucking and anything to escape, today she spun with her head down and shot off... I don't know what to do I've tried a rope halter and a head collar. Shes the same in an enclosed space. I took her in the paddock and she reared and struck me with her front feet and turned and kicked me with the back.

Please dont criticize I am at my whits end with her shes the first horse under 3 ive ever had owned and I really dont understand what I am doing wrong. When she started this behavior she had a firm smack and a "no" , I havent let her push me around and a carry a whip which she has across her chest every time she rears and legs when she struck out...
 
She sounds as if she is confused and getting more so, carrying a whip and using it when she rears is not helping the overall situation, if she really has not learnt how to lead properly it may take two people to get her established and confidently going forward, rather than punishing her when she objects by rearing having someone following to "push" her on would be a better and more positive option. Is she turned out with another horse as they will usually follow which you can use to your advantage until she is happier being led, again rather than starting a fight use her instincts to suit your needs, once she gains confidence and understands what is required you can begin to go it alone in baby steps so as to not over face her.

With the headcollar I would for now use a leather one and turn her out in it, this may be avoiding the situation but is better than having a daily battle every time you try and catch her, then spend time in a stable putting it on and taking it off, a few treats as a reward or distraction will do no harm.

If you can find someone that is experienced with youngsters to come and help it may make life easier for both of you, it sounds as if you are out of your depth, not being critical but the foal does sound challenging and having experienced advice and help may just make all the difference.
Plenty of time out getting rid of her energy with other youngsters if she is not doing so would also help.
 
My daughter dated a great western rider/trainer and he would take in foals for handling. He used to have them for 2 or 3 weeks and handled them daily teaching them basic manners. I always thought it a little bizarre, but foals are often fearless feisty characters with no regard or self preservation, so now I quite understand why people send foals for experienced handling.

So could you try and find someone locally to come and work with you and your foal? See if you can get a recommendation or contact a natural horsemanship person in your area.
 
Hate to say it but send to somebody who knows what they are doing quick ,should only take a few days but will be money well spent. Sorry to be blunt but at this stage I am not sure you have the experience to sort this.
Honestly I do not think getting somebody to help will be any use as she needs regular and consistent handling.
Had she been handled prior to coming to you? Did you take her at weaning? Please dont start using a whip on her its the last thing she needs she will be confused and needs reassurance not punishment .Where are you ?
This may sound harsh but I am thinking of her and you and your future together.
 
popsdosh said:
Hate to say it but send to somebody who knows what they are doing quick ,should only take a few days but will be money well spent. Sorry to be blunt but at this stage I am not sure you have the experience to sort this.
Honestly I do not think getting somebody to help will be any use as she needs regular and consistent handling.
Had she been handled prior to coming to you? Did you take her at weaning? Please dont start using a whip on her its the last thing she needs she will be confused and needs reassurance not punishment .Where are you ?
This may sound harsh but I am thinking of her and you and your future together.
Click to expand...

^^^^^ This
 
As she is obviously weaned from her mother I would assume she is upwards of 6 months old. If she was not led when with her mother she will have no idea of what you are asking her to do. Horses will follow other horses and the reason it is good to teach foals to lead whilst still with their mother is their obvious inclination to follow her. Therefore they learn to be led without realising. Have you ever taught a puppy to lead? It is basically roughly the same. A puppy when it first has a collar on will scratch and mess with it and when you first try to attach a lead they will often be like a fish on the end of a line. Foals are no different. She needs to wear a leather foal halter all the time, correctly fitted and when you lead her make sure the lead rope is not clipped to the halter but just looped through so that you can let her go, saving an accident to her or you. Use another horse for the time being infront of her and when she resists the feeling of pressure on the halter, release the pressure and just stand quietly and ask the lead horse to do the same. Then encourge her forward using your voice and even treats for now, praise when she does. She has no idea what the pressure is about and her understandable reaction is to fight it and to flee.

I would agree with the other posters that if you have never experienced halter training a foal it would be worth getting someone who has to help you.
 
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