Socializing Foals

Question
Hi!

I'm writing as a very uneducated horse lover.  I am 28 now.  When I was younger, I owned a horse and was around them frequently until about 14 years ago.  Slowly, I am getting back into spending time with them and subsequently learning everything all over again!

I have a friend with many acres, and what amounts to a "roadside stand".  The family home is on the opposite side of the property from the "store", the horses, ponies, and donkeys spend time between both places.  There are 7 ENORMOUS Percherons (of which, I am unsure of specific ages), that are generally kept seperate from the rest of the group.  There are two jennies, four broodmares, one colt, and three mares that run freely 24-hours a day.

My question centers on the 3 current (and soon to be fourth) foals.  All three foals are less than 2 months old, two of which are less than a month old.  Question being; what is the easiest way to socialize the foals?  The oldest is just slowly starting to smell apricots, but still fears taking treats.  The other two are just purely fearful of humans.  All horses/ponies are in pasture (no stalls), so actually connecting with the foals is a day-long task.  All of the ponies are very docile, there are two that are a little skittish, but all are friendly - and all love their treats!

Because of the close proximity to the roadside stand, the foals will soon be part of the "attraction".  I would like to get them to the point where they aren't fearful of humans, and learn that coming to the fence to say hi isn't a scary thing.

Any Suggestions? (or further questions?)

Thanks!
Susie


Answer
Hi Susie!

I cannot give training advice to non-owners of the horse in question.  I understand what you are trying to accomplish and would like to caution you..."Is this what is best for the foals?"

Maybe if the owners think of it from another angle, it would benefit the babies much more.  Taking a treat at the fenceline is a "trick" that is taught to them.  Nothing more.  Instead, focus should be on proper introduction to close contact handling.

Any baby (and especially ones that will grow to an enormous size) need to be correctly handled by their humans at the very beginning in order to live companionably with us.  While they may never really do anything with these draughts, the babies still need to be trained.  How to put on a halter, be led, stand in cross-ties for grooming, politely picking up their hooves and so on and so on.

If a foal or youngster is correctly handled and trained and a solid foundation of communication is built.... then all of the other pieces will fall into place naturally.  They will come to respect, obey and trust humans in all situations....whether it is during a training session or something as simple as taking a treat.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange