36 Training the Foal 



It is very important to have the halter fit the head 

 perfectly. Because the foal's head grows so rapidly, 

 colt halters are, as a rule, made too large for the very 

 young animal in order that they may fit later on. 

 The head-stall, brow-band, throat-latch and nose- 

 band should be taken up until they fit, otherwise 

 the pressure will not be applied properly, the cheek- 

 straps may be pulled around against the animal's 

 eyes, the chin-band slip over the nose and the like, 

 all of which must be avoided. It often happens 

 that in taking up the halter, long straps are left hang- 

 ing about the head to annoy the foal. These should 

 be fastened up in some way. It is often rather diffi- 

 cult to adjust the halter to a nervous foal's head, but 

 to be successful one must have patience. Do not 

 be in a hurry, but let the youngster get acquainted 

 with everything as you proceed. With the halter 

 properly adjusted coax the youngster along behind 

 his mother or some accustomed route, as to the water 

 trough and back. If one has sweets available, such 

 as sugar, and permits the youngster to taste of them 

 occasionally, he will soon follow promptly. If he 

 resents, however, other means must be tried. Do 

 not stand in front and try to pull his head ofT, for he 

 will only roll his eyes, shake his head and move back; 

 and above all do not give up. We must now take 

 advantage of the animal's natural instinct and apply 

 pressure at the rear end as we wish him to move 

 forward. 



