How to Halter a Foal

A foal wearing his first halter

Training a foal early is very important. How and what you teach it at this young age will make all the difference in what type of an equine citizen the horse becomes as an adult. One of the most basic lessons is how to teach a horse to be haltered without fear or stress. This article will give you some tips on how to do just that.

Things You'll Need

• Foal halter
• Lead rope

Instructions

1. Separate the mare and foal, but keep them where they can touch and see each other. If you need to work with the foal while it is in with the mother, make sure she is tied. Otherwise the dam will keep getting in between you and the foal and you could get kicked.

2. Approach the foal carefully, speaking softly and bent at the waist. Do not attempt to touch the foal's face. Hold one hand out and allow the foal to sniff your hand when he is ready. Eventually, try touching the foal near his shoulder and scratching him. This is an itchy spot. Do not be surprised if he nips at you, as this is what he would do if you were another horse.

3. Restrain the foal by placing one hand and arm in front of his chest, and one around his rear, and then "hugging" him to you. Be prepared for him to struggle but do not clasp him any harder than necessary to gain control of him. The idea is to get your hands all over the foal. You want him completely comfortable with you before you make any attempt to halter him.

4. Be patient! Do not rush the foal. It may take several lessons before the foal will accept you and seek out your attention and your hands to scratch all his itchy places. Once you have his trust, take in the halter and the lead rope. Introduce these to him and allow him to sniff, lick, bite and even carry the objects around. Use your voice to praise him along with your fingers.

5. Rub the halter up and down the foal's neck and eventually rub it on his face. Do this with your right hand as you are gently restraining him with your left. As you rub him, slide the nose band gently on and off his nose several times. Once you have successfully desensitized him to this, buckling the halter should be no problem.

Tips & Warnings

• Always keep the lessons short and sweet. Foals have a short attention span, just like small children. End on a good note and walk away.

• Never leave a halter on a foal--unless it is a leather foal halter. Nylon halters will not break before the foal's neck--if he should get it stuck on something and panic.