Special Handling for Young Stock

A proper start builds a sound foundation for future work, and we provide humane, effective methods for teaching babies.

Newborns are imprinted within the first few hours of birth.  This touching, rubbing, patting, and noisemaking accustoms the youngster to these sensations and establishes the first element of trust in humans.

All babies are regularly handled in the everyday course of caring for them, and learn to lead alongside their dams and to permit grooming and hoof care.  Older foals can be put through a special "weanling nursery school" for more advanced halter breaking and responsive leading, trailer breaking, and general handling and trust in the handler.

Weanlings and yearlings being sales prepped receive a thorough review of all of their earlier lessons, including walking forward freely on a shank, bathing, hoof care, experience with electric clippers, and entering a van and being driven short distances, so the van ride to the sale will not be traumatic.

When yearlings are sent to training centers for starting, they are comfortable with human direction and mentally and psychologically ready for the breaking process.