How to halter a 4 month old foal?

Question
I would like to know the steps to halter breaking my 4 month old foal.

Answer
Hi Cindi;

There really is no such thing as 'halter breaking'.  You put the halter on and you're done.  Leave it on for a day and then take off.  I don't like to leave halters on horses because they get caught on fencing and such too easily.  If you want to leave the halter on then you'll just have to adjust it as the foal grows, otherwise, halter the foal each time you want to groom/pick up feet etc... and take it off when you're done.

The actual training is about getting the foal to come to you and standing quietly while you put the halter on.  That takes the same kind of patience and training as getting a horse to do anything.  No different that it's a foal.

First spend the time establishing a relationship with the foal.  Then move onto being able to pet the foal all over without it moving away from you.  Then being able to fully groom the foal without restraint and then finally put the halter on.  Timing here is key; knowing when to release the pressure before the foal walks away, knowing when to reward, knowing when to stop the session or when to push through an issue.

Most people want to put the halter on so they can restrain the foal for all of those activities when really they should be doing all those things BEFORE putting the halter on.  If you try and restrain the foal when it becomes upset with all the touching/brushing/picking up the feet, that's when people run into problems with foals bolting, kicking, biting etc...

Start in a small enclosed area, with no distractions (so the foal should be weaned) and take your time.

Best wishes!

Sincerely,

Lana Reinhardt