Study: Young Foals can Learn Basic Handling Skills

When’s a safe, effective time to train young foals basic handling techniques? And what’s a reliable method? Researchers in Australia and New Zealand have determined that training young Thoroughbreds using learning theory and equitation science principles at only 3 weeks old can yield excellent results.

However, each foal learns at a different rate, and breeders should be aware that learning differences are normal and not a cause for frustration, said Leigh M. Wills, BSc. Accompanied by study co-author Andrew McLean, PhD, of the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre, Wills presented her work during the 2016 International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) conference