training my foal

Question
hi there I have a three month old foal and I need some help with him. I have him used to leading and halter and being tied up. however he can get pushy and in my space while leading or when I am just in the pen with him. he also likes to nip which I have tried everything to get him to stop. I don't hand feed and I only scratch to reward. How do I get him to stop coming in my space and being pushy and find some relief on the nipping.Also when I lead him he doesnt like to turn right.everything else is great. he gets happy to see me and winnys to me he can have his whole body touched and sprayed and brushed. he has had his feet done once but I need to work on lifting his feet it's hard though because it is just me and I don't want to tie him up for that so if you have any ideas for that it would be great. sorry it is so much. thank you greatly.

Answer
Hi Leane!

First, sorry for the delay, but AllExperts had some computer problems.

My suggestion is to leave him alone for a few months.  It's normal for foals to go through phases like the one you're having and then a couple months later when they are more mature, have longer attention spans, and not so playful, the problem is gone.

My approach with babies has always been to do the bare minimum.  Enough that I establish a relationship with them, but not so much that I'm doing more than their mother's are.

Picking up feet is difficult for a baby because they are growing so fast and their balance is precarious on four legs at best, never mind three legs.  If you drill it too much you'll turn it into a bigger deal than it is and it'll be a fight all the time.  Good that you don't tie him either as that could be an accident waiting to happen.

When teaching leading at such a young age you usually require a second person or use the old rope around the bum trick.  It's easy to hurt a foals neck at this age when teaching leading.  I prefer to lead the mother if I've got to move them and let the baby follow until the foal is a bit older.

In the wild, babies are given a lot more slack by the older members of the herd, because they are babies.  A baby simply doesn't understand at this age about personal space.  Just as human toddlers don't understand, neither does your foal.  Letting his mom teach him about personal space and nipping is usually what I do.  Once the foal has been reprimended by his mother or a herd mate, then I simply copy the treatment the foal received, in my training.  Watch how his mother treats him when he gets out oof line and use that for your best way to discipline.

Good luck Leane!  Don't be in a hurry for your baby to grow up.  You're doing a fine job.  Just remember he has much to learn about life and he can't be expected to behave and respond as an adult horse would, because he's a baby.

Sincerely,

Lana Reinhardt