Halter Training and Weaning Foals

The time of year is upon the horse community to halter train their foals, if they have not already. There is no single way to do it, but the Crago Ranch has a pretty solid process that works year after year. The mares and foals are brought in from the pasture, foals untouched, except for the occasional curious one who wanders up and finds that they like the attention. After the colts and mothers are run into an alley together, so they are easier to catch, the colts find themselves wearing a halter and lead rope for a few days, learning to give by themselves when they step on their leap rope. Following this the colts are handled and taught to lead with the help of the mom and eventually learn to lead by themselves. The colts must also learn the task of having their feet trimmed.

The whole process involves a feeding program so the foals adapt more easily once weaning time comes. They receive alfalfa hay and special grain that helps them maintain weight once they are separated from their mothers. Once they are ready to be weaned, a few mares at a time are hauled back out to pasture, and are relieved within a short time. The colts also have an easier time adjusting because only a few of the other foals are worried versus the whole group being upset. Once all the mothers are hauled out, the foals are used to being on their own and are ready to go to their new homes when the right buyer comes along.