How to get a foal use to being lead!!

[horseshoee]

Okay, so this is our first foal so we are still new to all of this. Any one got any ideas on how to get her use to being lead? She is 10 days old and is having headcoller on ad off in the stable with just one person now. Please help ASAP! As we got our first show on 24th June so need to practice! Thank you!

[horseyll81]

I simply lead the foal out to the field with the mare. (Extra pair of hands needed of course!!) first few times I use a rope looped through the headcollar (not attatched) just in case the foal panics and gets loose. They soon get the idea of leading to and from the field. If you make sure you stand towards the back of the foal to encourage it to go forwards, you will be more successful to start with. Standing in front of them will usually end up with them running backwards and flinging themselves on the floor. You can use your arm around the quarters to encourage it forwards if need be....I also find that if I put my hand gently on their back, towards their bum, it sometimes helps them go forwards. The main thing is not to restrict the front end too much, if they run forward, try and stay with them......much easier said than done, but hope this has helped a bit!! Good luck :-)

[Guestless]

I always start with rope halters with extra long leads. I put them on and then put the spare lead round their quarters above their hocks so I can teach them to go forward from their back ends rather than risk pulling at their heads.

[vjc]

We always start early by leading the foal at the mares side by putting a soft towel in a loop around the foals neck to guide it, and a hand on the foals bottom to nudge it along. The next step is get the foal used to wearing a foal slip, and then with a short lead attached and still using the towel method hold the towel and the short lead together to accustom the foal to slight pressure on the face while mostly using the loop of towel as guidence, it only take a few times before the foal starts to walk without the loop around the neck, if the foal stops and starts (which they sometimes do!!! : i find a long lead looped all around the foal and held together just under the foals chin is a fantastic baby walker!!! ;D just a little pull when they stop walking (while still holding the reins together under the chin) works wonders!!!
I personally think if you start a foal leading from day 1 they never know any differant where as if they have been used to running loose by mums side they soon learn to dodge and dive around the other side of mum to evade handling.

[Guestless]

Jun 4, 2010 18:28:27 GMT vjc said:

i find a long lead looped all around the foal and held together just under the foals chin is a fantastic baby walker!!! ;D just a little pull when they stop walking (while still holding the reins together under the chin) works wonders!!!

That's what I do, but you described it much better ;D

[vjc]

;D ;D ;D its certainly much easier to show someone than explain it!!
well eric is now at the leading with headcollar on with just a slight pressure stage, he has never stopped so far, he is very forward going!!! his nickname is eric the viking cos nothing fazes him!! ;D

here he is all straightened out now, he was so crumpled up at birth ;D

[holiday]

Ive never had great success with the rope round the quarters, I usually end up with it under the tail and getting into a real pickle with a very cross foal broncing round me!!!!! I am also usually on my own as well so dont have the help of anyone else. I just wrap arms front and back with the mare following on lead, then go to a headcollar and lead on foal but still using an arm round the front until strong enough to take some pressure on the head.

If my mares are good I can usually load as well like it with no help, however sometimes I do have to request OH to come home from work and help!!!! Once theyve been on a couple of times Im ok!!!!! However if im on my own I tend to put a long rope on baby just in case the mare goes and baby doesnt then I tend to tie the mare up and go back for baby!!!! Thats when its difficult!!!

[merlyn26]

i always start with a scarf round the chest and a hand on their bottom - that way if they shoot forwards you can safely stop them without pulling on their delicate heads and necks and if they stop you can give them a little nudge to keep walking - i then attatch the lead rope to the halter and gently hold that while still using the scarf and gradually get them used to the feel of their head getting the stop signals - it doesnt take long for them to realise how to lead.

[oberchis]

I always use the rope round the hindquarters too x i'm usually on my own and find that this way works best for me as if foal stops can easily encourage it to move forwards again x

[sarahp]

I've used a separate rope round the quarters held in one hand above the withers with the halter lead in the other which seems to work well for me.