Playing with foals.

[ponynut]

I have a six month old weanling (Kizzy) Who I got by fortunate accident having bought her dam.
I can do anything with her as she has been handled from day one. Touch anywhere, pick up feet, lead about, bandage her legs (foals do damage themselves and need poultices!) She now respects my space and backs out of it. Have even scrubbed her with a yard broom when trying to muck her out and she was far too helpful! She loves to learn and discover new stuff.
We kick about a football together. But what can I do now? Ideas on some games we could play would be greatfully recieved!
Amie x

[Ame]

Can you ask her to back up from anywhere? Move sideways? Left, right? Head up, head down? Can you walk her over logs? Ask her to go in the trailer/truck/horse float? Follow you? Lead her around with no strings attached? Pick things up? Stand on things? Go under things? Play with her mouth and her tail? How is she with plastic bags? Loud noises? Farm traffic? Dogs? Other horses? Can you catch her with ease?

Youngsters are great fun, they learn quickly and are usually very playful. It's wonderful to hear that you're keen on spending time with your filly in developing a lifelong partnership and desensitising her to things she will meet later in her life. Use your imagination, an open mind and the resources you have at hand (everyday stable items can be turned into fun games), you'll have a blast. Keep sessions short and you'll set yourself up for success.

On this note, however, remember that your little one is still just that. Very young and impressionable! As well as spending time with us humans, she needs to spend as much time as possible turned out with other horses - she needs to learn to be a horse, speak horse, play horse - and the best place for her to learn this is with other horses!

Best of luck Amie. Keep smiling and enjoy your filly :) They're only young once.

Kindest regards,
Ame

[ponynut]

Crumbs what a list!
She backs up comes forward anywhere. Learning signals left/right! And stop!
Feet no problem. Ditto mouth/tail/ears! Chews nylon bit like fun and her tailis now immaculate!!
Carrier bags always worth a look may have food in! Umbrellas are just silly!
Steps over poles, follows me anywhere, loud noises well the crow scarer is tedious!:rolleyes:
Traffic is our present challenge! Getting used to yard tractor/ land rover. Borrowing friends tralier soon. She will go in no probs I'm sure!
Loves the yard dog! Fine to catch. She loves to play with other horses!
Teaching her which brush is which- she pulls all of them out to be helpful!

[floppy]

fetch!

there was an article in this months issue of horse and rider about playing games with horses and they used a little cone and the horse would retrieve it!
bit like playing with a dog really.

[ponynut]

We played pinch Mom's hanky from pocket today. After 5 times we got bored!
We also discovered food is gross if a bucket of water is spilt on it! Kizzy bashed me as I was about to refill her water continued to try eat though! Sneezed like mad. Bless! :p

[qwerty]

Sounds sooo cute! Do we have a pic of the lil' one?