Leading the foal

I had a question for you guys. Its not uncommon for a foal to pull on a lead line is it? My foal will lead right next to me very good. Then sometimes she just wants to pull. I get control of her and ask her to walk next to me so we can start all over on the right Hoof.

Sometimes she will be walking right next to me and bucking at the same time. Its kinda funny to see because she dont pull or anything she just bounces up and down like a little bean. I always thought this was normal for foals, and to take some time with them to teach them not to behave like that, but I was told recently by a self proclaimed trainer that none of her babies have ever pulled on her leads. And that I was abusing my animals by "ALLOWING" the foal to pull on the lead line. After she told me that she was going to report me for animal abuse I was kinda worried that it was all my fault.

First of all, just because your foal pulls on a lead line does not mean she is being abused! Are you kidding?!?! I hope that trainer was joking. All your foal needs is patience and a little training. You just have to show her what is expected of her. She's a baby!! She is going to play and test you...she does not have the mental capabilities to fully understand yet. That's why you have to work with her a little at a time. Practice leading every day or as much as you can. You can even do a lesson in the morning and afternoon. Limit the lessons to a max time of 10-15 minutes. Any longer and she will just get bored...she is not old enough to take in too much info in one session. I am by no means an expert of raising foals but I do know enough to say that just because your baby pulls a little on the lead does NOT mean you are abusing her!! That is just ridiculous!!!!

I think the same way you do. Most of these people that were so critical of my methods dont halter any of their horses until they are 8 months or more old. . I dont want to train a horse to lead that out weighs me by hundreds of pounds.

You're doing just fine. It takes time for a baby to learn how to lead. The sooner taught the better. (as in don't wait till their 8 months old)

The next time this so called "trainer" says he/she is turning you in for abuse tell him/her "fine, go right ahead" and then watch as he/she is laughed out of town for such a riduculous accusation.

lol i no this feeling i hav just been through it with my yearling lol...all of this comes in time they will understand what is asked of them the more you do this...yes they will play up and yes they will test you but these are all the things that is expected from a foal.
They are only babies and for this so called "trainer" well im a bit concerned.
i think that the sooner the foal is broken into the halter the better i mean i dont want to be fightin a horse at the age of 8 mths + then i would feel as if i were the one to blam for i should not have let it get like that...
look you will be doin fine im sure you are the more practice the better your foal will come and this will happen in time so dont worrie bout what this "trainer" is saying just do what your doin

I think the trainer is a bone-head if she clams her foals have never pulled on the lead! She must have robotic horses or somthing because every foal, every place, every where has at SOME pont in time pulled a little or alot on the lead. All you need to do with your colt is teach him pressure & release, if he moves even the slightest bit forward, release the strain on the lead! Even though he is little it will click in his brain after afew lessons, but keep them lessons short & simple, no need to confuse him, this will only lead to MORE pulling, then you will be in a mess! But yes, you are doing GREAT, & next time you see that so called "trainer" tell her to shove it where the sun dont shine because you are doing fantastic! :P Oh also if she wants to call the animal crulty place, she can call my clinic i work at, so we can laugh in her face!

Hey there TS! There is no hard and fast rules to training as what works for one may not work for others. Don't worry yourself about that trainer as you wil find that welfare will only really be concerned about the health of your foal. Perhaps ask her how she acheives such compliance and if there is anything about roping and dumping then the tables may be turned but otherwise let her glide out of your life. Go as you are going, patience and short and and sweet lessons are best. I would say that you should be clear yourself about what you want to teach your foal (set the stage for learning) and be happy when all you acheive is one foot in that direction. Foals are playful and a real dag at times, I would discourage this when handling a colt that was destined to remain entire tho. People say some horrid stuff and if its nonconstructive just let it wash away.
You are doing well and keep up the good work!

~Good Posting~