by Diane Jaramillo

Created on: December 15, 2009   Last Updated: December 16, 2009

How to halter-break a foal.

Well, first off, the idea isn't to 'break' the foal.  Training is the goal.  Training the foal to accept a halter, to learn to wear it without complaint, have it put on and taken off without fuss, and to obey the halter is the ultimate goal.

First, let's assume you weren't there when the foal was born, so you couldn't imprint upon it.  For simplicity, the foal will be a he.  If he hasn't been handled from birth, you have a more difficult time getting a halter on than if he were handled from birth.  However, fear not, loyal friends, it can be done.

Assuming, of course, that the mother is gentle and able to be handled, the baby should not be hard to halter the first time.  Some experts say that you should wait until the baby is at least three months old before you put a halter on for the first time.  Others say a week old is a good time.  However you choose to do it, make sure that you are gentle and patient, and have a halter that properly fits.  A halter that is too big or too small or that pinches is a good way to make a baby head-shy.  A soft rope halter with no buckles works the best on foals that have not been handled much.  You had fasten them easily, they make little noise, and they don't rub and make sore spots.

If you can get a halter on the mother, do so.  Not only does it show the baby that there is nothing to fear, it lets you have control of the mother if she takes exception to something you are doing.  In addition, horses are herd animals, and baby will follow mama a lot more easily than he will a two legged creature, however familiar they are to him.

It's best to work with mother and baby in a smaller environment.  Not too small, mind, as you don't want to frighten the foal.  However, you don't want him to have acres and acres to play keep away with you, either, so a small round pen or large stall often works well.

The key is to move slowly, quietly, and speak gently to the baby the whole time you are haltering him.  Quick movements and harsh sounds will frighten the baby and form negative connections in his brain.  You want him to have a good feeling about this whole process. 

A baby horse is a curious animal, and will try to eat the halter. That's ok.  Let him taste it, stick his nose in it, and generally get used to it before you slip it up over his nose.  If he is receptive, slip it on and off his face a few times before you fasten it on him.  If not, quick and painless is the way to go.  Slip it up over his nose, slip the ear band across his head and through the loop.  Then let baby and mama go and enjoy their newfound commonality - the life of a haltered horse. 

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