| Foals are in contact with humans from almost the | | | | systematically. Touch the entire head gently, and |
| very moment they were born. Successful early | | | | stroke it from withers to tail. Move your hands over |
| handling of your foal can make training them much | | | | the belly, girth and flank. Stroke from the top of the |
| easier and the training progress even faster. Here are | | | | legs all the way to the hoof. |
| some horse training methods for a young foal: | | | | 4. Within a week, you can try attaching a foal-slip, first |
| 1. Try not to handle the foal in the first one or two | | | | letting the foal look it over from the front and sides. |
| days of life, unless it is necessary, such as clearing of | | | | Gently take the slip on and off so that it gradually gets |
| the mucous membranes at birth, or dipping the navel in | | | | used to it. |
| iodine. | | | | 5. After about two weeks of this gentle handling, your |
| 2. Starting from the second day, begin by placing one | | | | foal should be used to being touched by humans. Its |
| arm around the foal's rump, and another around its | | | | feet can be picked up for a few seconds, to prepare it |
| neck. Hold the foal gently, without pressure, unless it | | | | for its first furrier visit, at about three months. You may |
| tries to move. Ideally, this should be done inside the | | | | also try leading it on a rope, with the dam nearby or |
| stable, with the dam right next to the foal. Try to do | | | | walking ahead of it. It will naturally follow its dam. |
| this for five minutes, several times in a day. | | | | The most important young horse training methods to |
| 3. For the next few days, continue to gently embrace | | | | remember are to be gentle and systematic in the early |
| your foal. You may also stroke its head, legs and body | | | | handling of your foal. |