30 Training the Foal 



the hams, or if it is desired to have him step back- 

 ward, reheve the pressure at the hams and apply it 

 at the neck. If caught in this manner, he will soon 

 become quiet, then he should be handled all over the 

 body and legs. Extra care should be taken when 

 handling the ears, the back of the forelegs, the flanks, 

 and the front of the hind legs, as these parts are 

 extremely sensitive to the touch. This requires 

 only a few minutes and the foal, in all probability, 

 will come to meet you the next time you enter the 

 stall instead of fleeing from you, as he will if you at- 

 tempt to catch him by the neck or even if you pay 

 no attention to him the first time you enter the stall. 



Foals are naturally very timid. — Perhaps the treat- 

 ment horses have received since their domestica- 

 tion, as well as the brutal treatment their ancestors 

 suffered before domestication, has had much to do 

 with rendering the young naturally timid. Foals of 

 the lighter breeds are more nervous and timid than 

 those of the draft breeds, and require more effort to 

 gain their confidence. If the animals are to reach 

 their greatest usefulness, this natural timidity must 

 be overcome and confidence in man established. 

 This can be accomplished by kind, firm treatment. 

 The occasional use of some relished morsel, such as 

 a lump of sugar, will be of material benefit in over- 

 coming timidity and in establishing confidence. 



No sudden movements should be made in ap- 

 proaching the foal, as these will make him start and 



