Dear Shaboom and Clyde,
My mare had a new foal and it is black but my parents keep calling him a grey. Why are they called grays?
Pam, Scappoose, OR
Pam,
When a gray horse is born it is always a solid color and as it ages white hairs appear in its coat. This process is called graying out. The older he gets the more white hairs he has and by the time he is 15 years or older he may be completely white. A good example of this is the Lipizzaner Stallions. They are all born black but by the time they are shown they are completely white.
HalterBreaking Foals Using the Bailey Method
Part 5: Desensitizing your Foal
By James Bailey with Michelle Dempsey
Now that the foal is giving to pressure and leading easily with the lead and come-a-long or CM training system it is time to build on the trust we have established. Before starting this step it is imperative that your foal is leading well with the lead alone, although you will still be using the come-a-long to ensure the foal’s cooperation.
Now it is time to introduce the foal to scary objects and desensitize him to the unexpected. All these steps continue to lay the foundation for future training and help your foal trust you over the flight instinct.
Let’s begin with a tarp:
Spread the tarp out on the ground and weight down the corners with rocks to keep it from blowing. Slowly approach the tarp with the foal. Allow the foal to get a good look at the obstacle then lead him forward.
The foal’s first response will be to retreat using his flight instinct. Retreat with him then use the come-a-long to encourage him to step forward again. This may take several attempts but be patient and reward your foal for any forward progress with a release of pressure on the come-a-long and encouragement. By approaching and retreating several times you are gaining the foal’s trust by encouraging him just like his mother does, rather than forcing him over the object.
Soon your foal will be leading right up to the edge of the tarp. At this point encourage the foal with the com-a-long to step onto the tarp. At first he will be reluctant but with encouragement will step forward placing his feet on the tarp. As soon as he steps on the tarp reward him with release of pressure. Soon he will realize there is nothing to fear from the tarp and will cross willingly. Repeat this process until the foal does not hesitate at all and easily crosses the tarp with you.
Once your foal has mastered this step, change the tarp’s appearance by removing the rocks and bunching it up so it looks completely different. Repeat the steps until your foal is crossing the bunched tarp as well.
The more obstacles you desensitize your foal to the easier it will become until a new and potentially scary object will get no more than a look before your foal carries on. Use your imagination in introducing new objects including livestock. Try to think of things that he might be exposed to in the future at fairs or trail riding. But be sure that your foal is not hurt during the process. If he does not feel safe he will not trust. Once you start riding your foal the more he has been exposed to on the ground in his early training the less their will be for him to spook at while under saddle.
Taking time to lay the foundation carefully will pay off as your foal learns to trust your leadership rather than reverting to the flight instinct.
Copyright © 2009 The NW Horse Source, LLC
Top of Page
|
