Equestrian Life
Welcome to kindergarten for foals

This article first appeared in the October 2020 digital edition of Equestrian Life. To see what's in the current issue, click here. 

Foals can be a bundle of fun, but they do need careful training. © Elli Birch/BootsandHooves

Foals can be a bundle of fun, but they do need careful training.

© Elli Birch/BootsandHooves

 

Welcome to kindergarten for foals

By Dr Kerry Mack

Just as it is with people, first impressions and experiences can set a foal up for life. How you interact with your foal from the outset will go a long way towards its trainability and how it relates to humans. And oh yes, they are a bundle of fun.

Spring is sprung. The season for foals. What joy a new foal brings to us. At times breeding is heartbreaking but the rewards are many. How lovely it is to waste a spring afternoon with your foal. Like all baby animals they are curious and playful, with a short attention span.
As a psychiatrist, I believe that the early experiences that any of us have really influence our lives. Handling your foal in a way that encourages curiosity and confidence, a wish to be with humans and a willing yield to pressure, will set your foal up to have a better life. As Tom Roberts said, train your horse well so that he will have a good life and be welcome anywhere...

Read the full article in the October 2020 issue of Equestrian Life magazine here.



 

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https://www.equestrianlife.com.au/articles/EQ-Life-October-magazine-Welcome-to-kindergarten-for-foals