Halter breaking foal

Question
For starters, I am new to all of this. All horses that I have come in contact with were already trained and experienced until recently. And I am determined to learn with my new filly. I just purchased a new filly, approx 4 to 6mo. about 12hands maybe a little more. Has been wild and abused by past owner (she was among 30 other horses in a small pasture, and none of them were ever worked with), she has not had any contact with humans except for throwing food out to it; until a friend of mine picked her up and called me. Thought she might be a good one for me to work with and to learn with. She is not aggressive, more scared then anything. I called the Vet today to ask him to come out and check her, he informed me that I needed to halter break her, and get her used to humans (with 4 kids around, I do not see that being a problem. but they do know their boundaries and the dangers). But I do need to halter break her and am wondering how to do it. I have read many articles, but none that give me what I need to know. I know with a saddle on older horses, they are to be worked with, putting on taking off, brushing the saddle next to them so they get used to it. But as for halter training, this is my first experience, and I am determined to do it myself. Do I work the halter the same way I would a saddle, or should I just stick it on her and let her get used to it? Please help me. This is something that needs to be done immediately, since I am unable to turn her out with other horses for fear of disease until she is checked by the vet and given her shots.

Any information would be most helpful.
Thank you,
Teresa


Answer
Hi Teresa;

First, it doesn't have to be done 'immediately'.  Get that out of your head or you'll rush and get frustrated.  

Second, she shouldn't be given vaccines until her stress level is greatly decreased anyway and your vet should know this.

Third, don't turn her out with other horses until you've established a relationship with her or you'll never catch her after the fact.  Turn her out in a small paddock by herself for now.  A round pen would be perfect.

You don't need to put a halter on and off.  You only need to be able to have her stand quietly beside you while you put one on her.  After that you can leave it on for a day and then take it off and she'll be 'halter' broke.

It's that many people can't 'catch' their horses and then can't get their horses to 'stand' quietly while they put the halter on that's the issue, not the halter itself.

She needs to come to you.  You need to be able to pet her and brush her all over without her moving.  Then she needs to stand quietly beside you while you have the halter in your hand and you need to be able to touch it all over her body just like a grooming brush.  Then you can put it on and it won't be a problem.

Don't get caught thinking you need the halter on her to control her.     

After that you need to teach her how to lead.  Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling has the best book for teaching horses how to lead and it's called Dancing with Horses.  

When she'll come to you, you can put the halter on, you can lead her and she'll stand quietly to have others touch her, then you can call the vet.

I don't recommend you let your kids get involved at this stage.  It's just between you and the filly for now.  When she trusts you, then you can invite the children in one at a time so as not to overwhelm her.  Once the filly realizes you're okay and you won't let anything hurt her, then she'll likely become quite gregarious.

Best wishes!

Sincerely,

Lana Reinhardt