foals

Question
I have a two week old filly--7/8ths arab.  She's begun biting during her 'explorations'.  Bitting me in the butt yesterday was the last straw!  I don't want her to become head shy and she's been haltered may times since birth.  What do you recommend?

Answer
Hi Jane,

Sorry for the delay in answering your question.  Biting is a normal thing for foals, but the sooner you put a stop to it, the easier it is. When she nips at you, use your thumb and forefinger to flick her in the lip.  This won't make her headshy -  that's an old myth.  If she continues to try to bite after that, use an open hand to smack her in the mouth - only the mouth, never near her eyes (that's what causes headshyness).  

Something else to consider, also, is to never turn your back to her.  Foals will also try to climb on top of you, just like they do to mom, and they can really hurt you.  Never, ever go into an enclosure with a foal "unarmed" - without some kind of crop or something to use to get them away from you in an emergency.  Foals don't have very good judgment about how humans are different than horses, and they don't understand that they can hurt us.  Having a crop with you that you tuck into the back of your pants gives you something to use if things turn bad quickly.  Until she's old enough to understand respect, you'd do well to be cautious in handling her.  Having her haltered when you're handling her can help because it gives you some leverage to use.  Remember, staying safe is your first goal!

Hope this helps!  Good luck with your new little one!

--Susan