12/10/2024
Start them young. Handle them from the beginning. Prepare them for being a citizen. A young horse's foundation in their upbringing starts from the day they are born with how they are handled and interacted with.
Here is Zeus - the little orphan foal that was posted back in August showcasing the foal slippers. Today was his first trim at 3.5 months old. By halfway through, he was standing 90% calmly at liberty and not needing to be held.
Now, being orphaned, of course, changes things as compared to a foal that grows with its mother. However, these are the hopes and expectations I like to see in the youngsters I get to have the pleasure of handling.
These beginning fundamentals with your growing foals are how you keep your farrier safe and make things a good experience for your foal. Do the touching, especially between the legs and where they don't like it. Pick up the legs. Cradle the hooves as close to the farrier position you can, either in your hands or between your knees (if you know how and feel comfortable doing so). Use a soft rope just looped to pull the hoof forward if you are uncomfortable being down by the hoof so you may pull it forward to help start preparing them. Help us practitioners make first interactions and every one of them following a super positive experience.
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