How to Handle a Foal
Handling a foal might seem easy - it is not. How you handle your foal can affect him, and his health, for the rest of his life. This article will help you learn things to do, and things to avoid.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Handling the foal - Important and Tricky!
-
1
A foal is a delicate creature. All legs and joints, and so easily startled. It is vitally important to handle a foal when they are new - but just as important not to "over handle" it. Physically, you can harm or even kill a young foal when handling them, so it is important to know what to do and what not to do. The first step is to be able to grasp the foal properly.
-
2
Make sure the mare and foal are up in a stall in order to approach the baby. You do NOT grab a foal by its head, the foal's neck is still very vulnerable right now, and too much pressure on it can snap the neck or cause permanent physical deformity. Instead, you want to place one arm around the front of the foals chest, and one arm around his rump, like a bear hug. You do not want to squeeze, but you do not want to hold too loosely either. The foal must feel the support of your arms firmly at front and rear, and yet not be scared of the pressure.
-
-
3
Once you have the foal in this position, you may begin scratching it in all the good itchy places. Behind the withers, at the base of the neck near the shoulders, on the rump. Foals are VERY itchy, and this is a real advantage to the person who handles them. As you speak softly to the little one,and scratch him, make sure he relaxes before you release him. Once this happens, release the foal AND WALK AWAY. Spend no more than five minutes at a time doing this. Soon, the little guy will be looking forward to those itches. Make a point to rub all over him when you have hold of him. Leave no place untouched. Especially rub on his head. After a few days, you should be able to slip on the foal halter with no fuss at all while you are scratching him in all those delicious places.
-
4
Do NOT lead a foal by his head. Not until he is at least two to three months old should you pull on his head at all. Use a lead rope around the base of his chest, and a leap rope around his rump to guide him the directions you want him to go. Teach him about pressure and release. He will catch on very quickly. Make your lessons fast, pleasant, and then get out. Foals are too little to absorb more than five or ten minutes, then they need to digest what you have taught them. Make those minutes count. Pick up feet, rub under bellies, stick your fingers gently in his ears, and even rub your hands under his tail. All of this will pay off later.
-
5
Let the foal be a baby! Please don't try and teach him too much, or spend too much time with him. He needs to be with his mom and other foals. Nature has a plan, and in order to make a happy healthy horse when he grows up, he needs to be able to be a foal. Love your foal, handle him to make him a good citizen down the road, but do not try and do too much too soon.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Always praise your foal when he does something well. Use your voice, and lots and lots of scratches.
NEVER NEVER NEVER tie a foal. It will break its neck.
Resources
- Photo Credit Courtesy of Boardman Arabians, LLC
