| When you wean your foal, he should already know | | | | to teach him to stand still in the aisle. When grooming |
| how to lead. He should have the basics of being | | | | him in his stall, ask him to remain in one place, instead |
| groomed in his stall, and should have been introduced | | | | of allowing him to wander. This way, he will already be |
| to the vet and farrier. But what more can you do with | | | | used to staying put, and will accept being tied more |
| him once his mother has been taken away? | | | | easily. |
| While a foal learns to lead with his mother, he may not | | | | If you can, take your weanling on a trip or two in the |
| yet be comfortable leading on his own. You will need | | | | trailer. Borrow a calm older horse who trailers well, and |
| to work with him to teach him to move forward when | | | | take them for s short jaunt around the block. The trip |
| asked without having another horse to lead the way. | | | | does not need to be long, but it should be pleasant. |
| By spending a few minutes a day leading him by | | | | It is also a good idea to introduce your weanling to |
| himself, you can quickly help him to understand that he | | | | blankets and bandages. Use a no-chew spray to |
| must go where you want him to, and not necessarily | | | | teach him that it isn't fun to eat them. Bandage him or |
| where the other horses are going. | | | | blanket him, then let him hang out in his stall for a while. |
| Because he learned to lead with his dam, it is very | | | | Keep an eye on him at first, to make sure that he |
| easy to teach a foal to lead with another horse. It is | | | | does not panic. |
| generally best to start with a mature horse as it is hard | | | | Continue grooming him regularly, and introduce the |
| to manage two silly babies at once, while a mature | | | | clippers. Work on getting him to hold his feet up longer, |
| horse is likely to remain calm and stabilize your | | | | and try gently pulling his mane. It will take a few |
| weanling should he become spooked by something. | | | | sessions to do a good job. It is better to keep the |
| Take the time to work with your weaning by taking | | | | sessions short and sweet than to rush them. |
| him on walks around the property. Start out with | | | | While handling your weanling is important, make sure |
| another horse, so that he does not become afraid by | | | | that he gets tons of turn-out and does not become |
| himself, but then progress to leading him on his own. | | | | frustrated with overlong sessions. He is still a baby and |
| Keep the sessions short. Weanlings have no attention | | | | needs to enjoy himself. He has lots to learn about |
| span. Always end on a good note. | | | | being a horse, and spending time outside with his |
| While it is still too early to tie your horse, take the time | | | | buddies is an essential part of his training. |