Skittish weanling

exodus farm · 10-21-2008, 04:12 AM

I just weaned last week and I've got one weanling that the maiden mother would not let us near. Now the baby is up in a stall and getting handled each day but she still is very skittish and wants to run each time I come near her. Once we touch her, she calms right down and enjoys each grooming session. Also, when I turn her out in a small enclosure, she cannot be caught, we have to run her into the barn, not something I like to do. However, when she gets scared, she practically crawls into my lap. Any suggestions? My goal is trust, and I'd like to be able to catch her in the field. We usually handle each baby from birth on so this is new to me.

Shuri · 10-21-2008, 07:08 AM

my filly was a brat when I got her. You couldn't catch her, she was scared to go into a barn, never had a bath in her life (she was 11 months), didn't tie well, wouldn't pick up her feet, etc.

Just keep up what you're doing. Patience is the key and bribery. I'd just make sure
every time I did get my hands on her, it was pleasant for her. Scratches, or a
tidbit (from a bucket), and then I'd let her go. lather, rinse, repeat ad naseum
until she starts coming around. Spend time hand grazing her, and just spending
time with her so she knows you mean good things and pretty quick she'll
start being happy to see you instead of running off.

It's also good if they have a good role model. That's worked for me before too.
They see the other horse come running up and getting attention/food and
it certainly helped them overcome their fears and want some of the good stuff
too.

Chester · 10-21-2008, 07:11 AM

Time, time and more time coupled with correct handling will cure all the above problems.

10-21-2008, 04:12 AM	#1
exodus farm Full Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Versailles, ky Posts: 109 Images: 20	Skittish weanling I just weaned last week and I've got one weanling that the maiden mother would not let us near. Now the baby is up in a stall and getting handled each day but she still is very skittish and wants to run each time I come near her. Once we touch her, she calms right down and enjoys each grooming session. Also, when I turn her out in a small enclosure, she cannot be caught, we have to run her into the barn, not something I like to do. However, when she gets scared, she practically crawls into my lap. Any suggestions? My goal is trust, and I'd like to be able to catch her in the field. We usually handle each baby from birth on so this is new to me.

10-21-2008, 07:11 AM	#3
Chester Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: inland of the coral sea Posts: 13,479 Images: 869	Time, time and more time coupled with correct handling will cure all the above problems. __________________ Aussie Aussie Aussie OI OI OI Senior Australian Correspondent Is it full moon time again? Did the cereal truck overturn and fruitloops got spilt? Thanks for your time,then you can thank me for mine, after that's said, forget it. Rodriguouz

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My weanling isn't a weanling yet should I still feed foal feed?	BuddyPalAmiga	Horse Health	6	12-08-2007 01:43 PM
Weanling	Quita-keepen	Horse Training	10	07-24-2007 03:15 PM
Skittish around pigs....	jackie_smackie_	Horse Training	6	12-26-2006 02:11 PM
always skittish in crossties	SweetIron	Horse Training	7	12-03-2005 04:16 PM
Skittish Horse	cpfh00	Horse Training	3	05-03-2005 10:21 PM

10-21-2008, 07:08 AM	#2
Shuri Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: down in the deep south Posts: 239 Images: 6	my filly was a brat when I got her. You couldn't catch her, she was scared to go into a barn, never had a bath in her life (she was 11 months), didn't tie well, wouldn't pick up her feet, etc. Just keep up what you're doing. Patience is the key and bribery. I'd just make sure every time I did get my hands on her, it was pleasant for her. Scratches, or a tidbit (from a bucket), and then I'd let her go. lather, rinse, repeat ad naseum until she starts coming around. Spend time hand grazing her, and just spending time with her so she knows you mean good things and pretty quick she'll start being happy to see you instead of running off. It's also good if they have a good role model. That's worked for me before too. They see the other horse come running up and getting attention/food and it certainly helped them overcome their fears and want some of the good stuff too.