Caring for Mares & Foals

Lesson 7: Imprinting

Goals

Imprinting is a form of learning that memorizes whatever is learned in the short time immediately following birth. It is believed that whatever is learned during that time is locked forever in the horse’s mind. Basically you are hoping to achieve: 1. Bonding with you (the trainer, owner, handler). The foal will learn that you are friend, not foe; a source of goodness; even a second mother, foster mom, or nanny. 2. Submission to you (but not fearful). The foal learns you are dominant, just as he/she will learn who is dominant in his/her herd. For training purposes and safety to its humans, this is the desired response. Proper submissive attitude leads to dependence on the leader (you) rather then a fearful submission that can lead to breaking the horse’s spirit. 3. Desensitized to stimuli that might normally be frightening, such as touch, vibrations, and noise, and scary objects he/she sees or has touching him/her. We want the horse to trust us and accept all manner of strange things we ask. 4. Sensitize to stimuli that we provide, for example to move away from pressure.

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