Orphaned foal and his training

Question
QUESTION: My sister was at a horse auction and this guy bought a mare with a week old foal. He didn't want the foal and was going to put it down but my sister said she would take it and gave the foal to me. I am feeding him foal-lac milk replacer, 3 pints 6 times a day as per the directions as he's 3 weeks old now. I also feed him 1 cup of mare and foal a day and fresh hay 24/7. On May 25th my sisters boyfriend held the foal, Lincoln is his name, and I haltered him with a good fitting halter. Then I used a bigger halter to desensitize him to me taking it on and off. After a few days of this, I have no problems getting him haltered. I let him drag the lead rope(cotton) when I am out there. He has followed me for 5 steps so far on the leading. I don't push him but I do make sure we end on a positive note. When he pulls against the lead rope I stand still and once he steps forward and the tension is released, I praise him and stop for a while.
My problem now is when I go out to feed him, he drinks from a bucket as he hates the rubber nipple on the bottle, he gets pushy and now is trying to kick. This has been going on for a couple days now. I had been clapping and saying no firmly and loud and he would back off. This morning he didn't back off and got right up to me and kicked. I couldn't get out the way quick enough so I ended up raising me knee...so he wasn't able to connect with the kick...that was at 6am this morning. When I went out at 10am to feed again, I took a lead rope to me and every time he put his bum to me I wacked the ground near his hind feet and said no! loud. I didn't feed him until he turned around and didn't rush me. I need to know if I am doing the correct thing.

Thank you very much for your advice.

ANSWER: Hi Tina!  

Bless your heart for adopting the little guy.  This is not an easy path however.  He has lost his Mom and his teacher.  If you have ever had the opportunity to watch mares and foals, Mom's really lay down the law and show them correct horse behavior.

Your baby is food aggressive because he can't get to his Mom and feed on demand like most foals.  He has to tolerate a schedule.  If you watch mares and foals, baby will snack throughout the day with big feedings as needed.  You are doing the best you can do.  Please don't feel guilty.  I like your feed program, you have done your homework.

As your foal gets older and relies more on grains, foal lac (they will have directions on feeding it dry) and hay, his food aggressive behavior will ease.  

Resist the urge to snuggle with him and turn him into anything but a horse.  I have watched people really baby  orphaned foals and the results are disaster.  The foal has no respect for the human at all.  If you can figure out a way to give him his milk and not get into the pen with him that would be great.  Wait to work with him until he is full and not concentrating on a meal.

Try  to do only as much as you need to do with him.  Always leave him wanting more. I do very little with my babies.  The risk of injury is just too great with tiny bodies.  Everything you want to do can be done as a yearling and at two so don't get in a rush just because he is an orphan.  

Do you have other horses around for him to socialize with?  You have to be very careful here that you choose the right companion for him.  I would let him get acquainted with another horse across a safe secure fence line first and be very careful with first introductions.  If you can find a good herd mate this will save you and your little guy tons of hard work.  

Keep making the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult.  If he shapes up to kick you,  do what it takes to get him to change his mind.  Do only what it takes and no more.  Don't be afraid to make mistakes, your heart is is the right place and your baby will sort it out.  If it takes a nip on the bum for him to learn proper respect, that is what is needed.  His Mom would have done it.  A nip can come from the tail end of a good lead rope.  I use tree line with a leather popper at the end.  Get VERY accurate with your lead.  I have spent hundreds of hours learning how to spin my lead overhand and being accurate.  A nip is just that, a nip.  You have seen horses nip each other, use that as a guideline.  Always to as little as it takes to get the change but,  get the change.

You are on the right track.  Take your time.  Baby horses like any baby have developmental limits.  What a 6 month old finds as a complete mystery is very clear to a two year old.  You wouldn't make a human baby read War and Peace in kindergarten, that same logic applies to horses.  Everything in due time.  What you foal needs now is to find an equine buddy to show him the ropes and to grow.  Keep your relationship clear and respectful.  Good scratching is always appreciated!  

Trust yourself and your instincts.  Your going to do a great job.  I'll help as much as I can.  Keep me posted.  Denise

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Denise.
Thank you very much for answering. Its nice to know that I am on the right track with this little guy =)
I do have 3 other horses. A 8 yr old Quarter Horse gelding, a 6 yr old Draft, not sure what kind. And a 10 yr old Arabian mare. She is in the pen right next to him. We just moved out to 80 acres 2 months ago so all we have right now are some pens set up and one 45 foot by 45 foot area to turn them loose in. I switch each horse besides the baby off every day...so that each horse gets to stretch their legs. We are in the process of building a pole barn...we go get the rest of the supplies on Saturday, June 2nd =) Then we are fencing in the whole 80 acres. Tons of work...lol. Anyways, I started feeding him without going into the pen...I hung his bucket where I could just empty the pitcher of milk through the bars. Its working  better since I am not creating a situation where he feels he has to be a bully. The day that I asked my question, the 29th, my sister stopped by and spooked Lincoln so I was back at square one on getting him to let me approach him. Then it has been raining all week, every single day...I live in South Dakota in the northwestern part...we needed the rain though =) But that has been making it difficult to do much besides feed him. But the little time I have spent this week, talking to him and such, has gotten him seeking me out through the fence...and he's letting me pet him again. I have never trained a horse before...so this is all new to me...all my other horses are trained...the quarter horse just needs help with his reining...but he's as gentle as can be. He's going to be 4 weeks old on Sunday June 3rd...I can't believe how fast time goes by. One more question. How early can his testies drop? I want to get him to the vet as soon as they do. That way he doesn't have a chance to get a studdy attitude.

Thank you soooo much for your help,
Tina

Answer
Hi Tina!

It sounds like things are working out great for you all!  This is one lucky little horse!  

If you have a chance, check out the colt starting DVD's by Ray Hunt and Buck Brannaman.  Buck is over in Sheridan, Wyoming.  Check out their websites.  These guys are my teachers and they are amazing horsemen!  Watching bucks DVD's will really help you out if you have never started a colt before.  Buck and Ray offer clinics around the country to help people with their horses.   This would be just the ticket for you!

Time flies doesn't it!!!  You colt will be two before you know it!  It is great that you have other horses.  How do they feel about your little guy?  I love the way you are introducing them to each other, it is just right.  Look for the horse that really wants to create a bond with your baby.  That will be the best horse to choose as a turn out buddy.  It would be great if they just formed a complete herd.  Time will tell on that one.  

You don't have to do much in the first year with your baby.  Right now just concentrate on getting his trust, having him be respectful and learning that you are a really good deal!

I have had babies drop any where from 3 to 7 months!  Yikes!  It just depends on the individual.  Even if they do start acting hormonal, that will change very quickly after they are gelded.  Stallion or not, they still need to be respectful and obedient.  Remember, mares are intact breeding animals also and we still demand good behavior out of them no matter what.  I would plan on about 6 months old to geld.  It gives baby time to grow and get comfortable, the weather is cooler and there will be no more flies.  

Love hearing from you!  You are doing to be great.  This baby could be your best equine partner ever.  How exciting!
Keep me in the loop.  Denise