How To Train A Foal

Are you interested in training a foal?

The earlier you start training your foal, the easier your end results will be to achieve. If you are lucky enough to have the chance to work with your horse at an early age, take it! The following article contains some valuable information that will help insure you are effective while training and bonding with your foal.

Foal training can indeed be challenging because if you handle them incorrectly, it has the potential to create trouble for you and your young horse. One should consider that foals are still very immature and impressionable. They are not comparible to a full grown mature animal since they are still relatively physically weak and immature. However, they are already impressionable and trainable and can be managed if done properly and with knowledge.

Proper techiniques while training a foal are important. just like any animal or human beings for that matter. A good foundation should start from a very young age. If you mold a young foal, it will be more manageable when it grows up. However, training and handling should be done slowly and gradually. It should be a little bit at a time.

Training a foal that is already grown up can be extremely difficult. Yet, training a foal should be in short durations and the animal should never be stressed or forced to do something it is not yet comfortable doing. Always make the experience a positive one so the young horse will not associate training with negativity. If you make the training experience always pleasurable for the animal, it will be eager to train with you again. It won’t disapprove to your advances, making it easier on you as the trainer and the animal as the student.

Earn the foal’s trust and make the young horse feel comfortable

A foal that is comfortable with its environment is open to training. Fear and insecurity will always yield unfavorable results. As an owner or trainer, you must learn to gain the animal’s trust so it won’t get scared of the uncertainties it naturally feels from its surroundings.

No matter what kind of training you intend to do, a foal will not be cooperative if it is still having doubts with your intentions. Therefore, it is imperative that the young horse must get accustomed to your presence first. Do things gradually and make the foal become familiar with your presence. You will definitely know when the time is right to move forward with more advanced steps in the training process.

Make the foal understand that you are the MASTER

Horses are herd animals. They have mindsets that compel them to follow the lead of the most dominant entity in the surrounding. Take that role and make the foal understand that it is you that is supreme and that should be followed. However, in reference to the first tip, the foal must give its trust to you before surrendering to your dominance. Create a partnership, not a dictatorship.

Being the master of the foal is a responsibility and you should never abuse the trust that is given to you by the foal. Sometimes, foals may challenge your dominance. If this happens, just be firm in your position and never budge – don’t physically abuse the foal just to show your dominance. Always leave negative emotions out of the training sessions.

Training a foal to stop unwanted behavior

Any unwanted behavior should be prohibited as soon as possible. Foals should not be allowed to nibble on people, strike out, or kick. While these behaviors may be cute in a small foal, they can become dangerous as the youngster matures into a full grown horse.

Anything that you want to be learned by your horse, in terms of handling and management, should begin while it is still a foal. Haltering and feet handling are some of the basic things that should be implemented in foal training.