| The new foal crop is just around the corner and | | | | playmate and who is a leader. |
| for many it will be their first and possibly only | | | | Your baby can learn to lead without pulling, |
| baby they will raise. For you first time 'parents' I | | | | pushing, rearing, or special contraptions. He can |
| offer a word of caution. You will get more free | | | | also learn to stand (for short periods) for brushing |
| advice then you will know what to do with. And, | | | | and foot picking. You can teach him to clip, tie, |
| unless you study your options and have a game | | | | and even take a short bath (in warm weather). |
| plan you may end up with a 900 pound bully. | | | | He can also learn to load and follow mom on rides. |
| You are correct, they don't start that big, but a | | | | Keep in mind that this bundle of joy will very soon |
| baby nip, kick, or shove will grow with Baby if not | | | | be a big bundle of joy or pain depending on how |
| handled quickly, correctly, and decisively as soon | | | | you handle him now. You can make him do what |
| as the behavior is displayed. There are also | | | | you want when he is little, but when he gets |
| numerous lessons the baby can learn that will | | | | bigger you will be wishing you had taken the time |
| make him safer, happier, and easier to be around. | | | | to teach him what to do. |
| Do not allow any behavior now that you would | | | | Keep your lessons short and break them down |
| not like a 900-1000 pound horse to display. Work | | | | into easy steps for the baby. Start with lessons |
| on manners whenever you are around him now | | | | that can be done with mom standing by and as |
| and it will be routine when he is older. For any | | | | he gets older start taking him away from mom |
| horse, when you are in the same pen or attached | | | | to learn he will be ok on his own. |
| by lead or rein, it is not play time. Turn out after | | | | Do remember that a baby's legs, lungs, and mind |
| you leave the pen is play time. If you can, play | | | | are still growing and to keep lessons easy |
| time with other horses his age is very good for | | | | physically as well. You can do irreparable damage |
| him. Otherwise find some toys he likes, do not let | | | | to legs and lungs as well as spoiling his mind by |
| him use you as a toy. | | | | over working a youngster. |
| Babies love to play and play they should, with | | | | Enjoy your new arrival, but keep it forefront in |
| other horses. Watch mom, if junior gets too | | | | your mind that it is a horse and he needs to do |
| rowdy, she will let him know and sometimes she | | | | horsey things with other horses. Your foal is not a |
| has to be quite harsh. If you have opportunity to | | | | dog and treating it as such has a way of turning a |
| watch a herd, they also will keep junior in line. So, | | | | horse into a brat. Love 'em and spoil 'em with |
| when you are around junior, remember even at | | | | good care. Respect them and handle them for |
| this delicate time of his life, he is learning who is a | | | | what they will be. |