Kelly Marks explains the best way to handle foals and when you should start the process.
Q) How much is too much when it comes to handling foals?
A) If you handle a very young foal for instance, just a few days old, you’ll feel him lean into you and push more into any physical pressure as he gets tired.
This can be through mental tiredness or by being physically tired.
Colts may well start nudging you as well and in some cases a young foal will suddenly lie down if it get’s too much for him.
If you wanted a time limit you should keep early foal handling under 10 minutes in the early stagers but even if you do this, be aware of any tendency from the foal to lean on you, so stop handling him before he gets mentally overtired.
