unhandled foals please help

if you can't touch them please don't turn them loose in a field, however will you catch them? what if they get out or get injured? i go with previous post separate next to each other, feed out of bucket holding bucket, i used scratching on the rump to start with and always move with confidence but no sudden movements, get a quiet mental connection going, and keep calm, they are not daft and soon realise they won't be hurt
 
From my own experience with an 18 month WB who had never had a headcollar on, and was in a big field, it worked with hrs and hrs of hanging out. Feeding several small meals every day.

Queenb makes a very good point about splitting them up - the horse is more likely to pay attention to you if it is in its own stable. You need to become their new bestest buddy, and it is easier to do that with less competition. :-)

For catching in the field, and getting used to the touch of the headcollar:

- endless repetitions of holding out the part the nose goes through, with a helper holding a small piece of carrot, so the horse got used to sticking its nose through the headcollar and grabbing the carrot on its own accord.
- they may find it disconcerting to be touched by the headcollar, so patience is essential! if you have access to a stable it may make things easier. The hard part was to accept having the strap go over the head - this was done very slowly and gently while talking reassuringly, and followed by another piece of carrot.
- once the headcollar was on, I used 2 headcollars - that way, I could keep her under control whilst putting the second headcollar on and off, on and off, on and off, catching in the field. Again, this will be a LOT simpler in a stable than in a big field :-)

When you are able to touch them, use their love of scratching to its full advantage :-) They may not like grooming, but scratching is a winner.

For leading:

This may be a bit traumatic. Basically, you need them to figure out for themselves that no matter what they do, they won't get off the lead rope - and this is likely to be a struggle at some point if they try to run off. At some point they will test the boundaries.
For this it may be useful to use a pressure halter (rope halter or dually halter) so that you can easily put pressure on when they misbehave, and then release it as soon as they calm down and yield. I strongly recommend not to use a normal lead rope since it isn't long enough to keep you at a safe distance. I'd recommend using gloves, a hat, and make sure the surface is safe too.
If you are not sure how to do this, it may be a good idea to invest in a good trainer coming out for one or two sessions to get them started & show you how to do it. (If you have a look at the Kelly marks website for example, I think they list behavioural trainers in different areas.)

For touching - I was lucky since mine was very trusting after having gone through the initial getting to know each other.
- Mitt on a stick works well, make sure you are at a safe distance from their back legs in case they are worried when you touch those.
- The general idea with touching, as with other things one tries to get them used to, is to NOT give up until they stand still. If you do, then they learn that they can remove the "unwanted attention" (touching, stroking, lifting legs etc etc) by moving away from you.


Keep in mind mine was in a field, so it should be much easier in a stable. however, mine was very sweet and friendly and a quick learner. :-) Although she was not that interested in food, she loved carrrots and apples, and in the beginning I used treats a lot. (I don't normally train by treats, but it was very helpful for gaining trust initially.)

If you only have 1 month and are not confident, it may be good to get help from a professional behavioural trainer, who can get to the same results much quicker. If you post on here asking for recommendations people may be able to suggest someone local.

Good luck and let us know how you are getting on :-)
 
I'd very much go for the grab and hang on method as mentioned above. It's quite scary at first but once you've been booted a few times, you realise it doesn't hurt as much as it would do if the pony is allowed to grow into an unhandled two year old!
 
JanetGeorge said:
3. Gentle 'Brute' force - needs several competent helpers. Corner them until you can get a stirrup leather done up around the neck of one - with rope attached. Then one person HOLDS the rope - preventing escape - while another quietly strokes foal. Once he finds out he CAN'T escape, he'll accept touching. Then make it nice - all foals tend to be itchy and nice scratches on the neck and the rump will be enjoyed.
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When i worked on a large welsh stud this was the method we used. Ponies soon calmed down once contained and came around very quickly.
 
Since the OP has hers stabled I think this could work very well for her too - however as JanetGeorge says, you need several competent helpers. This method also requires more confidence, and may not suit all personalities. If the OP should feel that it is a bit too much to take on, then it may be useful to get a trainer to help with that part, and continue with the "gentlest" approach herself.
 
I have no experience in this area but is very interested in everyones opinions and have learnt alot!! :) So thanks guys!!!

p.s i a intrigued to hear what nativeponies has to say....
ive not be posting long but it seems alot of people respect your knowlegde nativeponies!!!

:)
 
When I got my 2yr old she was unhandled, badly treated and doped and I was more unexperienced than I realised (joys of youth lol) :o Luckily she was stabled so after a couple of days trying my instructors method my dad roped her (v cowboy lol) and once she was caught and realised we weren't going to hurt her she soon came round - loads and loads of positive reinforcement plus leaving the headcollar on for a couple of weeks and I haven't had a problem catching her 8 years on :)
 
hi thank you for all your replies have found immybrook stud and contacted them, as they are local to us, they are going to come and get headcollers and ropes on this weekend so hopefully will be easier for me to get hold of them
 
happyhoofs said:
looking for some advice, we brought two welsh foals from the sales and have taken on a bit to much to be honest, and need some advice on handling. they are stabled together and eating hard food. an dont climb the walls when you go in stable to get away, but i cant touch them they just charge around the stable, they are getting bigger evey day i'm worried how we will teach them to lead.
we have owned foals from weaning before but they have never been this scared. i have a new home for them to go together but need to handle and teach them to lead before they go, any ideas please
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split them up wile there together they wont rely on you ,you need to be his only friend for a few weeks sit n wait with a carrot in hand when it aproches you to chew it just wiggle you finger in his chin then face n neck have plenty carrots ready once youve brocken the touching he will like you ,i hade 1 totally un handled never been touched i did this with in a week i could brush him all over n pick up his feet,now hes the friendly n always comes to me ,
 
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