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HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Behavioral Problems » Foals behaving badly » |
Discussion on Foal play? or bad behavior | |
Author | Message |
Member: Goolsby |
Posted on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 3:44 pm: I need input from those exp. with raising foals. I had my first (colt)Tue 13. I handled him right after birth. just touching. the next couple days i would touch him, pick up his feet, put a halter on him and had him leading a little. He began biting some and I corrected him with a smack and a "no". That Friday I turned him and mom out. They have been on 20 acre pasture. When I was in the pasture with them yesterday I was touching him and calling him to me he began biting again and reared up at me then ran and bucked and ran and came back and did it again. Question: is this playing behavior. Does he think im another horse or should I try to correct this if he does it again. I appreciate all the imput I can get. |
Member: Jerre |
Posted on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 4:21 pm: Hi Colleen, Well, yes, it's normal foal behavior, but you need to correct him to keep yourself safe. Other horses can withstand his play better than we fragile humans!I would focus on blocking the unwanted behavior, including the nipping. Let him run into something when he invades your space (for whatever reason). If he knocks his nose on your elbow when he comes in to nip you avoid the "you can't smack me before I can bite you game." He just figures he picked a bad target. In the field, carry a dressage whip or something similar to create a bubble around you. If he strikes or kicks, let him hit the stick -- same principle. If you can manage it, it works best if he hits the stick, rather than you hitting him. He'll get a good idea for his aim soon, and will make sure those feet aren't penetrating your space. Just for perspective, I have my first foal this year and she nailed me twice in the first three days in the exact same spot on my leg (with just one hind foot, thank goodness). The bruise is gone, but there's still a knot in my quad. So the above advice is exactly what I did in the past few weeks! Now at 7 weeks she is extremely sociable, but very polite, and will yield away from me in any direction with either direct or driving pressure. And when she romps -- which is often! -- she keeps a polite distance. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 6:49 am: Hello Collen,Play behavior in foals is preparation for later life in the herd, including the proper controlled use of force. Some of this behavior is unsuitable for well trained horses and needs to be shaped. Jerre is pretty much right on the target: avoid situations where aggressive acts are likely to occur. But when they do it needs a prompt measured response. For suggestions see » Training Horses » Behavioral Problems » Aggression in Horses. DrO |
Member: Dres |
Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 9:48 am: just an FYI colleen, watch your back when coming in from the pasture... the little ones LOVE to run up from behind and run over the top of you... just like they do mom ... young horses are so cute, i love them.. but am very respectful of them too.. as they are young and only know what they have learned in the herd and from you... so be firm but fair....enjoy... Ann |
Member: Goolsby |
Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 2:30 pm: Thanks for all the advice. I will try your suggestion Jerry. I hate having to smack him so much. Today I worked with leading. He is doing real good. He still wants to nip a lot but will change his mind with a scold. Of course that is in the corral. He is more rowdy in the pasture.Thanks for you input also Ann. I wouldnt have thought of that, as he sticks so close to mom now. It seems having a foal creates a new experience every day. |