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Barnyard Buddies:  Another Pony (foal) question...  |
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snowberryfarm
True Blue Farmgirl
132 Posts
Michelle
Central Wa
WA
USA
132 Posts |
 Posted - May 11 2011 : 12:28:58 PM
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 hello!
So, our filly is now almost 2 mos. old. A couple weeks ago, she was still hard to catch, however, for the last week or so, she has turned a corner. She loves to be handled, petted, groomed, hugged, etc. She follows us everywhere, and sometimes won't budge or get out of our way. She is almost too friendly all of a sudden, lol! So, my question is, for those of you with horse, pony, foal experience, is this normal? It seems like one day she was wild, and the next day she was tame. We are picking up her hooves, and even training her to be lead on the lead rope. Is there anything else we should start doing with her?
Michelle
www.Snowberryfarm.blogspot.com |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 1:17:13 PM
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| the light bulb went on, she realized that her people were good, and she is at the age that she will be developing alittle independance from her mom, so thats a good thing....Make sure you can touch her EVERYWHERE, and you can do it standing on either side of her, in front and in back, without her reacting badly, such as kicking or trying whirl around on you, also this is the beginnings of teaching her to stay out of your personal space... |
Edited by - oldbittyhen on May 11 2011 4:11:00 PM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 6:19:42 PM
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Michelle- I would make sure she learns manners now- like not stepping on toes, moving over when asked, not rubbing her head on you, not nuzzling when you are scratching... all things that can be cute or forgiven when she is itsy bitsy- not so cute in a year or more from now!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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MEWolf
True Blue Farmgirl
358 Posts
Margaret
Byers
Colorado
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 6:43:01 PM
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Hi Michelle!
I have raised and trained a half dozen foals and it is so wonderful when they connect with their people. Makes all the hard work worth it! I am not sure how much training experience you have, but it sounds like you are off to a great start! As Alee said, this is the perfect time to teach "manners"! If you are able, start her halter training and desensitization now. I find training in a round pen very helpful with babies, IMHO it helps them focus on you. You are doing the perfect thing by playing "touch me everywhere"...feet, ears, mouth, rump, etc. And of course teaching to lead is also a HUGE deal, a carrot stick can be a huge help. But the most important thing you need to teach her now is about "personal space" for you, I think it is the biggest safety issue with horses. There is nothing quite like raising a horse from a foal to adulthood, it is so rewarding on so many levels!!
Margaret
Farmgirl #3020
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
Henry David Thoreau
www.grey-wolf-farm.com |
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BalancingAct
True Blue Farmgirl
297 Posts
Jackie
Hoosierville
USA
297 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 7:11:49 PM
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Hear! Hear! Personal space is VERY important. She's small now so make sure you do teach her respect of your personal space. Small hooves and 100 lbs don't compare to larger ones stepping on your toes, body knocking you out of the way, etc. Establish yourself as herd leader now, albeit gently. Also, never let her rub her head on you. The older she gets, the rougher she can get. It's no fun getting yourself trapped against a wall while the horse is using you as a scratching post! Ouch! 
Farmgirl Sister #2851 -"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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snowberryfarm
True Blue Farmgirl
132 Posts
Michelle
Central Wa
WA
USA
132 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 10:34:38 AM
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Great advice, thanks!! She is exploring a lot with her mouth, then biting! Not to be mean, but just checking things out. It hurts! So, we will have to work hard on this before it gets worse! Any tips?? Other than that, she just likes to stand by us, and follow us around.
Thanks again, everyone!
Michelle
www.snowberryfarm.blogspot.com |
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MEWolf
True Blue Farmgirl
358 Posts
Margaret
Byers
Colorado
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 11:06:43 AM
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Biting is another danger issue, especially if you have small children. There are couple cures for this that have worked for me over the years: a short, quick, bop on the nose with your fingers, or a quick pop with the heel of your hand on her cheek. These corrections must be immediate and consistent. She will learn, some can be very stubborn about wanting to touch things with their mouths, so do not give up! Also, if you are hand feeding any treats, it might be a good idea it to stop for a bit, until she understands about no biting. I hopped on your blog and she is absolutely adorable!!! Good Luck!
Margaret
Farmgirl #3020
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
Henry David Thoreau
www.grey-wolf-farm.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 11:15:04 AM
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Do not let her get lippy or lick hands. Horses bite each other but their skins are much thicker and don't have nice pointy digits like our fingers. Our fingers are much thinner and more delicate than a carrot if you get my drift!
I was taught that if a horse is even nuzzling you and you didn't invite them into your space, let alone lipping or even biting!! you should stiffen the first 2-3 fingers of your hand and poke them hard in the side of the mouth. This is an excellent detraction, and while being unconfortble- it's not painful or mean. We do this with everything from foals to stallions and never had a nippy horse for long! They all learned very quckly that it just wasn't worth it.
I would say that if she is already biting you have to take and EXTREMELY firm stance on this. Horses have a mature mind from the time they are born so they can learn "Adult" lessons (both good and bad) now.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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BalancingAct
True Blue Farmgirl
297 Posts
Jackie
Hoosierville
USA
297 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 5:44:46 PM
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Good advice Alee! I was also told that you can make your fingers like mom's teeth and gently "bite" her with 4 fingers firmly together and thumb being the bottom "jaw" like your hand is "biting", and squeal a little at the same time(like imitating mom), then immediately gently say "No!" and gently push her away. It doesn't hurt them, but gets their attention. This worked with my "mouthy" horse.
I have seen some babies turn into true brats by making a game of "nipping" then quickly retreating to see how fast you are by trying to pop them on the nose. Don't let this turn into a game. It can become quite dangerous.
Oh! You will learn sooo much with this baby!
Farmgirl Sister #2851 -"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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Barnyard Buddies: Another Pony (foal) question... |
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Another Pony (foal) question...
