Orphaned Foals

Recently, I adopted two orphaned foals. The older of the two: Legend has gotten to biting, kicking, and pinning his ears back when I do something he doesn't like . . . Even if it is just moving around him when he is inside the shed. I think it might be because the younger foal: Finn tried nursing off of him. Any ideas on how to get Finn to stop attempting to nurse off of Legend and stop Legend from biting and kicking before it gets too serious?

Yes, wean them from each other...now.

How old are they???

My foal were eating some sweet feed at a week.

I'm with ripper...sounds like they need to be seperated. You have to start correcting him when he acts that way. Foals are taught and corrected by their moms if they no longer have them around then you need to step in. Go to this site it has some good info on mare bonding and at the bottom even about hand raising foals.
http://research.vet.upenn.edu/Portal...al_Bonding.pdf

Here's another link...hope they help
Orphan Foal

I think you may need to give the colt some "tough love"

Often orphan foals are extremely spoiled and will walk all over people, and it only gets worse with age. You'll need to make sure that you are the boss over this colt. Too much coddling is a bad thing.

Do you have a babysitter horse that you could turn him out with? Since he doesn't have a dam, he's going to need another horse to correct his bad behavior and put him in his place, show him how to respect.

I too, am wondering how old he is. Might be time to geld?

He is only eighteen days old and I do have a babysitter that I put them out with. Thanks for the tips guys.

I would not leave them out together.

Let them have all the sweet feet they will eat.....and ad calf manna.

What are you using for milk re placer???

Do they eat good????

What happened to their mamas????

You need to be alpha with him. Even if he has a babysitter, he needs to respect YOU. I've raised colts that tried to kick and bite me with their mother standing right next to them. And its up to you to correct it immediately. It usually only takes a couple corrections. If you need to walk into his stall with a crop or something, feel free to pop him on the butt when he turns his butt to you. He will learn quickly. His dominance over you now will put you in extreme danger later if not dealt with now. And believe me, its not mean to correct. The alpha mare would show him her teeth or hooves!

Mare sure would!!

I have seen my old mares knock the foals right down.