Imprinting is centered around the concept that when a foal is born, it very quickly formulates opinions about the world. In the first few hours and days after birth, foals learn about 80% of what they need to survive as a horse in this world. What we do as the human imprinting the foal is to convince them early on that all the things we will be subjecting them to for the rest of their lives is just "a regular part of life," not things to fear.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many people would argue that you ruin a horse by handling them too young. I would count among these people many racehorse trainers/owners. Fortunately for them, they are not the ones who handle these horses on a day to day basis. I, personally believe in the earlier the start in the training, the better the 'base' or foundation that you lay for your horse. When you have a very solid base or foundation in place you can help to guarantee that horse a better life over all. The more often a horse can answer yes to a human's question the more likely he is to be treated kindly by humans in general.
Imprinting is a good way to start. When a foal is born you have a 2 to 3 hour window of opportunity for imprinting. If the birth has gone well for both mare and foal, you can begin a training process just after the birth. Difficult births need to be handled as medical necessity dictates.
Typical births last about 20 minutes. The mare rests a bit then begins the process of passing the placenta. In the high powered, high priced world of t'bred racing there are usually attendants present. Just after birth, the foal is wet and hungry. It takes them a bit of time to get sternal and aware of their surroundings. With attendants present at most births, this is the time to step in and introduce ourselves to the foal.
With dry towels, rub the baby all over their body. Use your hands and the towel to touch everwhere. With the towel, rub every part of the body. The tail, the legs, the feet, the belly, the head, the ears, the nose. With your hands and fingers (wash your hands pre birth) touch the inside of the ears, the inside of the mouth, the legs, the feet. Stroke and pet baby. Take the babies temperature. Lift the tail up and down. Think ahead. What are some of the things you might need to do to this baby over the next couple of weeks. Touch around the umbilical stump. On and off a halter several times.
Once the baby is dry and momma is ready to nurse the baby. Step back and let momma and baby bond. Baby needs that colostrum. Once baby has nursed and the mare has successfully passed the placenta (and you have cleaned up all the blood and gore out of the stall and rebedded like the good horsekeepers that I think you are) you can do a bit more. If mom is willing, on and off the halter a few more times. Ask the baby to let you touch it's legs while it's standing. If the baby is cooperative, ask the baby to pick up it's feet. Rub and pet on baby. Reward baby everytime it lets you do something new. Lift that tail up and down a few more times from the standing position. Ask with the halter for baby to bend it's neck to the left and right. If we're really feeling cooperative, attach a lead shank and ask baby to take a step or two forward when you take the slack out of the shank. Always go back to petting and scratching on baby when it does something you asked. Always be friendly. Never force a newborn. Most important in this process is being friendly.
This is your opportunity to convince this foal that humans are friends. That humans are worthy of trust. Always smile and coo to the little one. They, like human babies are loud noise sensitive when first born.
If this process is done well and thoroughly, you will have a head start on training your new baby. By day number 2, I often find them very inquisitive about humans. They like your company and contact. They tolerate the necessities of newborn care much better if they have been imprinted. Often these 'necessities' involve dipping the stump, pulling blood for a colostrum uptake test, taking the temp., learning to lead out to the paddock with the mare. Your time spent at birth will pay off.
If your mare is cooperative and you're feeling inventive, use some "spooky" objects. Rub your baby all over with a piece of plastic bag, a shavings bag, a saddle pad. Use your imagination. Always be friendly. Always be gentle. Just be careful not to overwhelm your youngster. If the feet want to move away from you, the baby is scared, therefore overwhelmed.
- author unknown -
No comments:
Post a Comment