wild heavy horse foal

Question
hi, I have recently bought a 3 month old "percheron" foal
as far as I can tell his handling can be summed up to herding in the van to get to the auction and up to my barn. he is very big and I would like to tame him enough to halter and lead him before he gets too big to handle.
so far he is dreadfully shy a real scardy cat.
do you have any suggestions? I don't have a round pen, for now he is in his box.
what is the best way to start?

thank you in advance


Answer
Helene,

The 1st Mustang I got I didn't have a round pen either.  She was nearly 3 and I brought her home and put her in a box stall.  Spent 5 hrs. the day after I got her home in the box convincing her I wasn't going to hurt her.  I took a muck basket and pitchfork in and cleaned the box to start.  Then I took a bucket in, sat on it and read a magazine, aloud, for about 15 min. until she quit trying to hide in the corner and was standing listening to me.  Once the intital fright was over I I got rid of the bucket and just kept moving closer to my girl and holding out my hand to let her smell it.  Just keep them moving and don't let them turn their butts to you and you'll be fine.  In the confines of a box just make sure you don't overdo the pressure.  Read the horse and decide how close you can get without panicking them.  That took a while but eventually it happened.  She moved around the stall a lot at first but, again, she finally decided I wasn't trying to hurt her.  I sort of used the box as a small round pen.  We spent 3 wks. in there before she was ready to come out the 1st time.  

He's a lot younger so it probably won't take as long for you.  Food treats work well too, if you can find one he's willing to try.  Babies are naturally curious and he should come around pretty quickly for you.  Patience at the beginning will be well paid off later.  You have to get his trust.  You don't really need a round pen, just a small pen where you can work with him once you make friends for him.  A round pen makes it a little easier but I've done it without a number of times.  

Lyn