Monty Roberts Equus Online University | Monty's Horse Training Post: New foal owner needs help to be ready.

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Monty Roberts is a renowned horse trainer known as the man who listens to horses and the original horse whisperer. Monty's horse training instructions are accepted worldwide.
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Monty says, “We hear that ‘actions speak louder than words,’ but generally we do not live by it too successfully.” Now Monty has taught thousands of people worldwide how to build trust in animals through our actions and body language.
Monty’s principles really amount to common sense and immense patience. He believes that children and horses have the same behavioral patterns. They are both naturally “flight” animals. "If you frighten them and resort to confrontation, you’ll lose their trust." ~ Monty
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Horse Behavior and Training

New foal owner needs help to be ready.

By:

Christena

Date:

2013-May-14 at 08:33PM

I don’t know if this question has been asked yet. But when do you start handling a foal. When can I start touching them? Putting a halter on them? Start training?
I am about to have my first foal. It’s a donkey so I know they learn a little different then horses. My Jenny is in pre labor so it may be a few days or weeks depending on her. SO I just want to be ready.

renjaho - Hamburg, Germany 2013-May-14 at 09:08PM

Hi Cristena,
.
I think you can put a halter on your foal quite early, within the first few days after birth.
With handling it I wouldn't start before it ist two to three weeks old.
.
Hope I could help.
Jasmin

Kicki -- Sweden 2013-May-14 at 09:32PM

Basically, you can find answers to all these questions in "From my hands to yours". :)
My personal experience is that you can touch a foal soon as it is born - provided the mom lets you... ;) (I helped my colt into the world, so there was necessary touching even before he was born.)
What you have to be careful about is to not get between or in the way of mom and baby - and to be ever so gentle and careful.
I think I started to play with, and eventually put on, the halter after about a week or two, and starting to introduce the lead rope. Pet him as much as he was comfortable with, scratching ears and butt, checking feet and so on.

pmpleau 2013-May-15 at 11:46AM

Christena;
Doing imprinting the instant it is born provides the most tangible results. BUT, for goodness sakes make do not get between the mare and her foal while doing so. BUT, some mares depending on disposition and how familiar they are and trusting of their owners will get very upset, so, just be careful and super calm. The whole process should not take longer than 25 minutes to do the entire body. Then just leave them alone. I would not bother with a halter, why? They are so inquisitive and nosy and playful - I have seen some little ones get caught up in things with their halters.
Good luck.

Miriam (Holland&Germany) 2013-May-17 at 06:39AM

Hi Christena,
I don't know how much time there is before your foal is born, you don't know either!
If you still have time, please read Dr.Robbert M. Miller's "Imprinting the newborn foal".
It'll provide all information you need and a lot more!
Most important is what not to do and how to position yourself regarding the mare etc.
How exciting to have this ahead of you!!!
Let us know how things go,
Miriam

Rudi - Pratteln, Switzerland 2013-May-17 at 09:09AM

Basically, I think you need trust ad respect. You can read the details in Robert Miller's book, to do it right is crucial to avoid the contrary effect to have at the end a hypersensitive horse without respect. I had never the opportunity to use the method from the very beginning. For me a good rule is to see the foal initially once a day then once a week on the paddock or on the pasture. You work with him with Monty's principles. The goals depend on your needs. You have to prepare the animal for the veterinary and later on for hoofcare. Dont't forget the respect: the foal must treat you as a human not as a horse to play with.
Good luck.
Rudi