38 Training the Foal 



Take the halter strap in one hand, the loin-hitch 

 rope in the other, and stand in front and a little to one 

 side of the foal. Pull gently on the halter strap and 

 as he begins to shake his head give the loin-rope a 

 sharp pull and he will immediately move forward. 

 In fact, he is likely to move forward so rapidly that he 

 will run into you if you stand squarely in front of 

 him. Do not be in a hurry, but give the animal 

 time to get used to the lesson. If he is excited, give 

 him sweets or caress him until he quiets before 

 attempting to give the loin-rope a second pull. 

 When his confidence has been restored, try again, 

 using the loin-rope again if need be. Soon he will 

 follow wherever you lead. All of this requires only 

 five to fifteen or twenty minutes, whereas by the old 

 method — pulling on the halter alone — we have 

 little or no assurance when the foal will follow. 



TEACHING THE FOAL TO BACK 



As soon as the foal fully understands the use of 

 the halter and will follow wherever we lead, he should 

 be taught to back. Do not attempt to teach him 

 to back the same day he is taught to lead, but put 

 it over until the next day. Teaching the colt to 

 back is a very important lesson, as it adds materially 

 to his usefulness in later life. All that is required is 

 pressure in front. Take the halter strap in one hand 

 so as to guide the foal in a straight line or in any 



