Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2013/January 2014 | Page 55

Training
horses with
Robert Booth BHSI
Equine trainer
Rodgebrook Horses
Tel: [phone]
rodgebrookhorses.co.uk

Robert Booth
When it's time to separate

A

t six months old when a foal becomes more or less
independent of its mother - eating hay and hard
food and grazing away from its mother without any
worries - it is time to separate the two.
This can still be very stressful for both mare and foal. The least
stressful way is group weaning as used on big studs where a
single mare is taken out of a group and the foal is left with its
aunts and playmates. But most private breeders usually only
have one mare and foal.
The kindest way is to give the foal a companion, maybe an
old pony without back shoes, or ideally another foal. If they are
introduced to the mare and foal before weaning they will be a
great comfort to the foal when the time comes.
The pair will undoubtedly try to get together again so your
facilities must be strong and safe. The only sure way to do this
is to bring him into a stable with the top of the door grilled off
and taking the mare out of earshot. The mare will also want to
get back to her foal so she must also be in a safe place.
They call to each other for a while which can seem very
sad but eventually they realise they are on their own. An
experienced broodmare will soon know what is going on and
quickly get back to being on her own, while the foal will soon
latch on to his best friend and companion. When enough time
has passed and the mare’s milk has dried up they can be within
sight of each other.

Tips!

Useful tips
on training
your horse

A fussy
mouth

A

like to take
horse that does not
strating and
a contact can be fru
having their
difficult to ride. After
ve to look at the bit
teeth checked you ha
are
often than not they
you are using. More
This is an evasion of
usually over-bitted.
a softer bit first. They
the bit so always try
er
take hold of a thick
will almost certainly
oser noseband when
mouth piece and lo
ke
ridden forward to ta
a contact. If the
horse becomes
strong then
try using
balancing
exercises to
regain control.

Expert's tip!
Simon Legge - Farrier

The resurfacing of Island roads with a special type of
stone mastic asphalt known as fibrovia may be excellent
for vehicles, but it is proving somewhat hazardous for
horses.
Island farrier Simon Legge suggests riders should make
provision for their horses to feel safer and more confident
on the roads, and it is not an expensive exercise.
Simon said: “There have been quite a lot of reports of
horses slipping on roads, and I suggest riders contact
their farriers and arrange to have the shoes amended to
suit the conditions.
“Road studs or road nails, tungsten pins or plug studs
are ideal. There needs to be only one in each foot, or
maybe two in each hind, depending on the horse’s action.
It will give the horse far more confidence, which in turn
gives the rider confidence. If a horse thinks it may slip it
becomes unsure, and with icy roads possible at this time
of year, grip confidence is essential. The procedure should
not cost any more than about £10 per horse.”