34 Training the Foal 



tricks, such as rearing, kicking, biting, and the Hke. 

 Since he is hkely to remember, throughout hfe, the 

 impressions made on his mind while young, it goes 

 without saying that such should never be permitted. 

 It is such things that restrict the horse's usefulness. 

 Teach the young animal only such lessons as will 

 be useful to him later in life. As stated, he should 

 be taught to be handled from both sides and at every 

 angle ; teach him the use of the halter so that hu 

 will follow wherever you wish him to go ; the mean- 

 ing of the term ^^whoa," that is, to stop and stand 

 quietly; the meaning of the term '^get up," that is, 

 to move forward, and teach him the meaning of the 

 term ^^back," that is, to move backward. In addi- 

 tion, familiarize the youngster with objects that are 

 likely to cause him fright, show him that such objects 

 will not hurt him, and that he can trust himself to 

 your care with perfect assurance that he will be pro- 

 tected from all harm. 



TEACHING THE FOAL TO LEAD 



The best time to teach the foal the use of the halter 

 is when he is about ten days or two weeks old. This 

 is a very important matter, as it is the first time the 

 youngster has been in any part of the harness, and 

 he should be given to understand from the very be- 

 ginning that such will not hurt him and that he must 

 obey the signals given by means of the halter. Many 



