Problems with 5 week old foal

lmtsprings · 06-27-2003, 07:09 AM

This is my first time in any chat room, so please bear with me.
I just purchased a quarter horse filly 2 weeks ago. I was with her on her birthday & she was a sweetheart, friendly, loving, & affectionate. I did not buy her at that time(mistake). She was purchased by someone else for 2 weeks that had never owned a horse. They put a halter on her which rubbed sores on her face & under her chin & had to man-handled her to get the halter off. Now you cannot get near her. I have been working with her a little bit almost everyday since we bought her, but I am becoming very discourged about her attitude. I have not put the halter on her yet. I have not been forceful with her at all. I am trying to gain her trust. It has been 25 years since I have owned a horse & I never had a foal even then.
My question is, do I stall her & force her to let me handle her or continue with what I'm doing now? I have been spoon feeding her applesauce at arms length, but that's as close as I can get. She is still with the mother. The mother is fine, but this little filly is so skiddish. Also the horses are boarded so I don't see her everyday. But I try to see her at least 4 times per week.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated & any books on this topic would be a help also. We own the John Lyons ground training manuals for our other horse, which we plan to apply when the filly is old enough.
Thanks so much.

Morgana · 06-27-2003, 11:16 AM

Well, I think I should first tell you that I´m always told that I´m too "soft" with the horses...

Anyway... the situation you describe is a terrible shock for such a young horse.

I would suggest you try to visit her as much as possible, if you can get another person (not several!) to at least feed her the days you cant do it yourself that would be great.

What is important is that everyone around her is calm, never threatening, never loud, never fast-moving, and VERY VERY patient.

Allow her to choose when to allow you to get near her, just be patient and allow her to find her trust in you.

Anyway... thats my opinion, not a rule for working with fillys...

Good luck

Dawn · 06-27-2003, 05:58 PM

How old is she?

Dawn · 06-27-2003, 06:03 PM

Okay, I must be blind or something because it's the title of your post. I wouldn't worry about getting the halter on just yet. Her face is probably still sore, she young, and she's in a field. Just work on getting her comfortable with you. If she won't let you get near her, but a halter on the mom and lead her around.

Great-Storm · 07-05-2003, 05:31 AM

its good to keep doing what your doing, she needs to decide when she wants to come near you. my filly was grabbed by the tail so we could g et a halter on her and she is really tame, we just can't catch her mum:-)

06-27-2003, 07:09 AM	#1
lmtsprings Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1	Problems with 5 week old foal This is my first time in any chat room, so please bear with me. I just purchased a quarter horse filly 2 weeks ago. I was with her on her birthday & she was a sweetheart, friendly, loving, & affectionate. I did not buy her at that time(mistake). She was purchased by someone else for 2 weeks that had never owned a horse. They put a halter on her which rubbed sores on her face & under her chin & had to man-handled her to get the halter off. Now you cannot get near her. I have been working with her a little bit almost everyday since we bought her, but I am becoming very discourged about her attitude. I have not put the halter on her yet. I have not been forceful with her at all. I am trying to gain her trust. It has been 25 years since I have owned a horse & I never had a foal even then. My question is, do I stall her & force her to let me handle her or continue with what I'm doing now? I have been spoon feeding her applesauce at arms length, but that's as close as I can get. She is still with the mother. The mother is fine, but this little filly is so skiddish. Also the horses are boarded so I don't see her everyday. But I try to see her at least 4 times per week. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated & any books on this topic would be a help also. We own the John Lyons ground training manuals for our other horse, which we plan to apply when the filly is old enough. Thanks so much.

06-27-2003, 05:58 PM	#3
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 37,203 Images: 1580	How old is she? __________________ Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Goal: 11 lbs LOST CURRENT: 4 lbs LOST Starting Weight 170 lbs. Goal Weight 155 lbs. Reached! 20 pound club 2009 Starting Weight 152 lbs. Goal Weight 140 lbs. Reached!

06-27-2003, 06:03 PM	#4
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 37,203 Images: 1580	Okay, I must be blind or something because it's the title of your post. I wouldn't worry about getting the halter on just yet. Her face is probably still sore, she young, and she's in a field. Just work on getting her comfortable with you. If she won't let you get near her, but a halter on the mom and lead her around. __________________ Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Goal: 11 lbs LOST CURRENT: 4 lbs LOST Starting Weight 170 lbs. Goal Weight 155 lbs. Reached! 20 pound club 2009 Starting Weight 152 lbs. Goal Weight 140 lbs. Reached!

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06-27-2003, 11:16 AM	#2
Morgana Full Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 45	Well, I think I should first tell you that I´m always told that I´m too "soft" with the horses... Anyway... the situation you describe is a terrible shock for such a young horse. I would suggest you try to visit her as much as possible, if you can get another person (not several!) to at least feed her the days you cant do it yourself that would be great. What is important is that everyone around her is calm, never threatening, never loud, never fast-moving, and VERY VERY patient. Allow her to choose when to allow you to get near her, just be patient and allow her to find her trust in you. Anyway... thats my opinion, not a rule for working with fillys... Good luck

07-05-2003, 05:31 AM	#5
Great-Storm Full Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: england Posts: 50	its good to keep doing what your doing, she needs to decide when she wants to come near you. my filly was grabbed by the tail so we could g et a halter on her and she is really tame, we just can't catch her mum:-)