Training pony foals

Question
Hi, I was wondering if you could give me any advice on training the foals at work?

Badger was born Oct 2005 & is getting very strong and pushy, also bites, not nips but really bites but he is getting better & is starting to mount everything including his mum, other foals & even his handlers.

The other 2 are both fillies, 1 was 19th April. I have just started halter training her. The other is about a week old & has had barely any handerling yet.

The April one is very lovable & scratching is a great reward. She will stand still to be stratched & I can slip a lead rope around her neck while I put the foal headcollar on. At first she was very head-shy but yesturday was the first time she wasn't too bothered. The problem is leading her. She is ok if the lead rope is still around her neck & I stand beside her or slightly behind. Any pressure is exerted on her neck but as soon as she feels it around her head she instantly backs off & tries to rear. On one occasion she did manage to rear & almost fell backwards. It just happened so suddenly I couldn't stop her. She does stand still now when we get to the field gate & lets me take the headcollar off. Then stands for me to scratch her before I let her go.

I haven't had time to begin any training with the week old except sit in her paddock or stable & let her come up to me & sniff me so she gets used to me. Yesturday she was brought in because it was pouring & she was shivering so I caught her to rub her down. She struggled first but after a couple of mins she stood still & I quickly dried her then released her. That was her first experience of being handled all over.

But I have only a few mins a day to spend with the foal & the only time they get led is when I take them down to the field in the evening. They don't get led down when I'm not there. I'm only there 2 days a week but it'll be 4 or 5 during the summer.

Any advice will be great!

Thankyou, El

Answer
Hi El,

It sounds like you're on the right track with Badger, although biting is something that needs to be stopped at once.  Biting and kicking are the two most aggressive behaviors a horse can do.  Has he been gelded?  Some nippiness can come from hormones, as he begins to get a sense of breeding, etc.  If he hasn't been gelded, do it as soon as possible. Unless he's a priceless pure-bred, there is no reason not to geld, and you'll find you'll have a lot fewer problems, especially as he gets older.  For now, when he nips or bites, smack him on the mouth.  Don't be afraid that you'll hurt him - you can't hurt him with a flat hand.  But a smack or a flick with your fingers will stop that.

As for the foals, the best way to teach to lead is by using a butt rope.  Simply use a longer lead rope and wrap it around the but (under the tail) and grasp it under the chin.  Then you use the rope to pull the foal along (the butt rope puts pressure from behind while you're pulling under the chin).  Also, the rearing issue is pretty common with foals.  What I've always used is a riding crop to give them a sharp smack in the belly when they rear, or to pop them on top of the head while they're up in the air.  Either one will work, and neither does any harm.  The problem is that, if you don't do anything, a rearing 8- or 9-month old is unmanageable.  Also, the more you can do to touch the foals all over their bodies will help them become more used to people.  Grooming is a great way to do this since it feels really good to them.  Soft, gentle strokes will feel like mom grooming them.

Remember that foals need love, but also firm boundaries and rules.  It's great to groom, pet, and stroke them, but if they get too aggressive, don't hesitate to give a smack.  If you watch horses in the wild, and how their moms deal with them, they're not too gentle.  Don't be afraid that they won't bond with you if you're too strict - they will.  They need strongly enforced rules in order to be decently behaved when they're older.

Hope this helps!  It sounds like you've got a great summer ahead with the little ones!  Enjoy!

--Susan