How to Teach a Foal to Have a Bath

Foals are impressionable creatures and a great deal like children; eager to please, often naughty without knowing it, and easily influenced for good or ill. Teaching them properly at a young age is the key to making them good citizens throughout their lives. This article will give you some tips on how to teach a foal to have a bath.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Halter
• Lead Rope
• Hose

1. Halter your foal and make sure that she can stand tied, accept grooming and be led and halted on command. All these steps must be taken before you attempt to teach her to have a bath.

2. Do not tie the foal for her first bath. You will take the lead rope in your left hand, draping the loose end over your shoulder to avoid tripping on it. Scratch, pet, and soothe your foal before you make any attempt to bathe her. Once she is relaxed, show her the hose and allow her to sniff, bite and otherwise experience the hose.

3. Turn on the hose and allow her to experience it all over again. Once she seems calm about the running water, allow the water to run on her neck and shoulder. You may stand back and lightly spray her feet. Expect her to move away from you and allow her to move around you, but continue to apply the water, regardless of the speed or direction she moves. Praise her whenever she begins to calm down and to stop.

4. Continue to apply the water until the foal visibly relaxes and begins to chew and lick her lips. This is a sign of submission and should be praised. Be prepared for a considerable amount of running around and backing up, and move with the foal, but the best option is to have the foal move around you in circles until she has calmed down.

5. Completely soak the foal and then apply the water to the opposite side. On the first lesson, it is best to stop here. On the second lesson, you may apply soap with a sponge. Only on the third or fourth lesson, after the foal is completely comfortable with the water, should you attempt to tie the foal.

Tips & Warnings

• Never tie a foal for bathing until they are well trained for it. Foal's necks are delicate and can break if they panic while tied.

[gizimomo86]

on 6/30/2009 Tip/Warning: The first few times I completely soaked my filly, she would kick out at whoever was around her. Make sure bystanders are not in kicking range (you too) of the foal!