Touching a Foal that "can't" be Touched 

I boarded my horse where a yearling was also boarded. Her owners couldn’t catch her. I have no “expertise”, but I just played a game with her where I turned my back to her and just waited. Within minutes a little nose was snuffling me. I would move. She would follow. Before long, she came running to me. Playing hard to get works with all living things. 😂

So many horse trainers pretend they're a "horse whisperer" or have some magic touch. Training horses is like training dogs or any thing/one. Promise you can be trusted. And don't break that trust.

"DON'T TOUCH ME." "Okay then, I'll just ignore you." "WHAT?? NONO I DIDN'T SAY- WAIT COME BACK HERE!!!"

That’s one of the most well built foals I’ve ever seen

It boils down to “i want what mummy has”. Toddlers and babies are exactly the same.

“Every time you [come in here] you’re handling them, whether you’re touching them or not.” Interesting in terms of a thematic theme.

That's a an old timers trick!! My grandpa taught me that with mules 50 yrs ago. It works. Get there attention slowly. Good to see old school ways still are around.

His mother is telling the young one, " Oh it's alright dear " for having your presence near is comfortable and relaxing to them. Your voice is quiet and patient so too adds to their curiosity. Never seen you before now. Saw this on utube. I've owned horses many times in my life. I truly miss being around them . I miss my beagle dog too. But, hearing your from Australia and being in the horse care arena, I just want to compliment you at having the best job in the world Success to you always.

I had a similar situation at the first stable I ever worked at. I was helping a friend take care of her friend's pregnant mare, mostly with mucking her box and prepping the feed-boxes, and I got into the habit that after I'd taken her in for the day, I would give her a thorough brushing-down in the box. Well, then the foal was born, and she was an adorable little thing, but *very* skittish. You so much as turned you head towards her and she would run behind mommy. So I decided to take it slow, and plain old ignored her. I would do my chores as usual, take the pair in, and then I would give mom her regular brushing without even looking at the foal. Just do my brushing as usual, with her moving around so mom was always between her and me. After a day or two, her curiosity started winning, and while I was on one side of mom, she would be sniffing the bucket with grooming tools that I left on her side of the box, which all smelled like mom. Then she started getting closer to me, and in the pauses between brushing, I would hold out the brush near her nose (again, no eye-contact), which again smelled like mom. The she would start walking up behind me and I'd hear these little snuffles at my back. I kept cool, and then I started a little pattern. If the foal was near me, for every 4 strokes of the brush mom would get, the foal would get one. First time I did it she nearly jumped out of her skin, but eventually she figured out "Mom gets this and she likes it, so it can't be that bad." Trick I figured out was not turning my body towards her, but rather keep facing mom, brush-brush-brush-brush, then put my arm behind me and give her a little mini-brush. We worked our way up from that to eventually giving the foal a full body brushing every day, but mom always got brushed down first, *then* the foal. She started really liking getting brushed, and a couple of times she got very sneaky about it; I would be giving his mom's flank a good brushing, then turn around to the bucket behind me to get a different brush, and when I turned back, she'd walked inbetween me and mom, as if saying "My turn now, mom can wait." Cheeky little bugger. Turned out to be a wonderful horse, if maybe a *bit* cocky. Her owner was very grateful to me; she worked as a stewardess and worked very long days, and often she only had enough energy to handle the mom and not the foal before she had to go home to rest. Told me repeatedly that if I hadn't handled the foal every day she would never have become so sociable and friendly to human. Kinda makes a man proud.

That man has some real self control there. I would have instantly forgotten that rule and tried to touch the horse immediately. I can’t just not pet a cute animal, especially if it’s asking for it.

Wow, Chance is going to be a “looker”.

Thank you. Bit like with dogs, catch his eye and leave. Non-threatening, makes them more curious. I never was much into mucking with foals. First they learn horse law, from mum and perhaps a herd with brothers and sisters. Plenty of time to learn about human law, especially if that human knows some horse law.

It's a lot easier to be brave and curious when you feel like you have some control over the interaction! Warwick, I've recommended so many of your videos to my dog training students. One of my students did a whole experiment for her senior thesis in college (requirement for graduating with honours) where she experimented with dogs in several different shelters. She made a novel object based on one of those big plastic toys for toddlers with a tiny slide, staircase, etc, and added a remote controlled sound maker. Then she divided the dogs randomly into 3 or 4 groups including a control group (where she put the object in the middle of the area and stood next to the wall turned away from both the object and the dog pretending to read her phone, no further interaction with the dog). She discovered that dogs habituated to the novel object fastest if she did an approach and retreat, approach and retreat pattern. That's actually how dogs do it when left to their own devices but so many dog handlers want to see the dog approach approach approach without ever turning away. Her project showed that the turning away is an important part of the process that facilitates speed of habituation.

He really gets his curiosity peaked playing "hide and seek". Just like kids.

Traditionally in Spain they do not handle or imprint is to allow them to be a horse. Usually around 2 they start. Most Andy stallions handled this way grow into calm and easy to train.

Reminds me of Cesar Milan and his no look, no touch, no talk approach. Make them show interest in you.

Thank you again for some great thoughts. Chance is gorgeous. Best wishes for you and him in the future.

Very interesting! I had a foal that was hard to catch and touch. Then I got busy with work and could only basically check on them and fees and she became much more friendly very quickly! And now she loves people. Now I understand why that happened.

i like this man's gentle thoughtfulness. I agree with waiting on the foal's curiosity!

I think this is a very good idea, we tend to over handle and over stimulate our horses from a very early age, I feel that letting a horse understand and decide things on their own from an early age shapes a better more well rounded animal that's mentally healthier than the damaged goods we're breeding and creating constantly. The best way to train a horse is by simply watching their reactions and introducing choice with the restrictions being things that keep them from getting hurt or what needs to be done for their upkeep/health. The more we start treating horses like creatures with emotions the more we're going to build and learn.

When my mare gave birth to her first foal, we couldn't take this advice. She would not allow the foal to nurse. Under the vet's direction, we helped the mare and foal through the first nursing. After that, she (the foal) would follow my dad around the pasture as he worked, sometimes pulling his work gloves from his back pocket where he kept them. The foal was always gentle with people, but still had spunk. I wonder what Warwick would have done in this situation.

I love how horses have curiosity. Its the way to their heart.

Awwww ... that sweet baby is so curious and friendly, there is no way in the world I would be able to ignore him :)

I love watching horses and people communicate.

Cute! So nice to see such a gentle approach :) These foals are very lucky to have these people start them :)

This is probably my FAVORITE lesson that Warwick has shared with us. Thank you!!!

Everyone becomes an expert when they're behind a computer screen! ♥️😂

From my own experience and seeing the result of foals who are touched from birth, I agree with you. Not only do I not want to interfere with the mom/baby bond. I also don’t want to desensitize them. When I was at school we lead both mare and foal. The foal was never allowed to follow along untethered. This meant we had to catch the foals each and every time, which always made them run away. It was stressful on them and us. Makes you wonder what impact that had on their minds. For that reason, I have come to the conclusion less is more. Let the foal be a foal. Smothering them only causes behavior issues and confusion. No one wants to see a foal that doesn’t know it is a horse.

Just love to hear your thought processes about interactions with horses. Thank you for taking time to post your videos.

LOVE the way of teaching,just lovely,RANCHING is so special,many ways to life♥️🐾♥️🐾♥️

You are the best. So thankful there is someone like you working with horses.

I am excited to see and hear more about Chance's journey.

Warwick, my sister and I have been following your methods for years now and they work like a charm. I’ve recently come across some “old timer trainers” and was completely horrified at the way they desensitized their foals. God it was horrible, and it was all because it was the “easy way.” They put their babies in shoots and desensitized with the water hoes were the foals can’t get away and can possible hurt themselves. When I explained how i desensitized in a round pen by pressure and release they looked at me like I was some stupid young gun. Had to come watch your videos again to calm myself down, I literally ran away from those crazy barbaric people. Even my non horsey friend thought their ways of training were insane!

Your feeding his curiousity. What a great idea!

This is such great advice, loved watching this! My son recently rescued a cob colt after it was abandoned and we couldn’t get anywhere near him at first but now (3 months later) he is doing amazing, wish we had seen this back then 👍

Plain and simple brilliance. Love the tone in his voice. Thank you.

Another excellent video. Thank you!

Bless you for your hard work. Foal is adorable.

Such a beautiful mare and foal. I love horses

BEAUTIFUL foals!

Brilliant! I look forward to this journey. As always you make sense of things that I question. I watch and listen to you and thoughts/philosophies just click. Thanks.

Good job! Bless your heart!

awesome insight ! its tough to resist the urge to pet. never been much good at that... but i never knew this ! be blessed !

I agree Chance is one of the most PRECIOUS gorgeous foals. Look at his hind quarters..one gigantic muscle. Gorgeous little guy. Love to see more of him as he grows up. The little dapple gray was adoreable too!!!!

What a lovely video. Patience wins the day and the foal is left to be a foal.

Another great video! Thank you!

Thank you for sharing. I've been trough the same social media thing about not touching and the comments of people. I am glad I found you on RU-vid and going to follow your training.

He’s a beauty❤️

Hi Warwick, thank you for sharing your thoughts on young foals. It all makes sense. I can't wait to see you and Chancy's further adventures. Love this, and how precious and beautiful is he. Have a Happy Day!

This is an interesting idea. He obviously is curious and spirited, and not at all afraid of you - I can't see that touching him will be a problem when you decide to introduce handling. It doesn't look like he's suffering from lack of anything at the moment! Letting him get his feet under him and figure out some things on his own terms without getting wrapped up in too much non-horse imprinting seems like it could engender his own confidence and curiosity and how he approaches things throughout life. Very keen to see how this plays out.

Nice, keep them curious... well demonstrated!

how brilliant! thank you

Love this, could watch it over and over 😘

thank you so much for this :) i couldn't help but giggle at the way those foals were eyeballing you :-D. love the videos! keep em coming

Nice video, thanks for sharing. I liked the way you incited the foal curiosity. 👍🌻

what a gorgeous foal!

ooh that was very interesting, thank you!

this is great, you cant tell no horses we harmed in the making of this video

I love people like this man who think like horses.

This is fun. Thanks.

👍 Sweet video! Thanks for sharing. ❤️

Delightful Warwick...

Beautiful colt.

You are spot on Warwick, as you suggested I spent some time with Luke just after you left. Luke is an excellent horseman and a good bloke. Thanks for the tip.

Super wee foal Chance!

Honestly the best thing for the foal. He needs to learn to be a horse first and Mom will teach him what he needs to know. People are to eager to handle and too eager to wean especially. Imo people wean too young and it has negative effects on the foal.

Thank you for sharing your videos, I enjoyed horse's. Well advise on how to get a horse to know and understand you.

Chance is one of the most beautiful foals I have ever seen! And btw how you are explaining things makes perfect sense on why you are waiting awhile before touching him.

It's good people are TRAINING horses in a kind way.

Wow that’s brilliant 🇬🇧✌️

Absolutely excellent horse psychology.....the opposite of what most gunsels feel compelled to do! Less is more. Just your demeanor, standing around like "what horse", makes you a real master in my mind. Kudos. Just discovered you and plan on exploring more.

Verry interesting tactics. Using the foals natural curiosity to pet them

Just started watching your channel, great stuff!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FOAL!!!!

Love both of the young ones. Beautiful!

one of the first proper uses of the term "negative reinforcement" that i've heard in a long long time.

It's almost like the old instinct of wanting what you cant have.. I love it, so he will want you...

This is such a good trainer. This is man is a real horseman and his training methods should get more attention

So very clever! 🤗

I usually liked to interact with them on the pasture or in the stable. Just sitting, doing something (so he can´t see it), or scratching the mare until the foal was interested. I´m usually very stubborn, but in this case didn´t apply any pressure, just waited, waited and waited. The most shy foal took me one month until let me touch him. This was my most favourite time :)

I’m not sure I completely agree with not touching a young foal however, I completely understand that “spark”, that curiosity. I have MustangGirls and the biggest thing I try to maintain in them (as well as my granddaughter and dog) their sense of spark, curiosity and, learning. It’s a beautiful thing to watch especially, when the the spark turns into a light coming on.

Looking forward to more Chance videos.

I can see it. Thanks!

This is so cool!! 😍😍

I find it quite hilarious that anyone would question an approach you take other than for getting clarification. Ive been a "horse whisperer" for 50 years and learn a wonderful new tool from you with wvery video.

Now you have me curious.. I am not a horseman but neither am I a novice I spent a lot of my formative summer years at my uncles and he raised horses and so I was involved with them from birth on (a few to the end) this hands off idea is new to me so now I am gonna have to hunt down the video and see what you accomplished.. thanks for sharing..

When I was a teen, my family raised horses for a while. Our newborn foals got so much of our attention that they were as used to a human touch as their mothers'. We used a totally relaxed training method as well, and they took to being ridden with no drama. Of course all of this was on a very small scale. It's more difficult to do that if you've got a bigger operation.

I read the title and immediately thought “oh, what a mad lad!”

Couldn't agree with you more! Thank you for being different from the rest!

The greatest lesson I learned was for the foal to walk up first, the best training idea that I’d learned within 30 plus years of training. Plus, love spunk in a horse or mule.

Hello...just catching up on some of Warwick Schiller videos. Have a great day and stay safe ❤️

I've never seen one of your videos before in my life for some reason they came across my feed I am 1 minute 43 seconds in And what you are saying about not touching that horse or any animal that goes for I think You are onto something and completely agree a 100%. It's just like our 6th sense that has been conditioned out of human beings so we don't even know what a 6th senses anymore. And I am not even really into horses never owned one probably never will But I'm good with animals always have been Animals have always liked me Just like human babies. It will make that horse stronger and smarter And maybe it will be able to connect with some of that 6 sense and genetic ability that has been programmed out of horses tame broken horses. I don't know start a ramble but awesome video I completely agree

Interesting concept! My problem would be with myself. I would really have to keep myself in check because it's so natural to want to reach out and touch the curious little foal who is coming to you, sniffing you etc.

*I agree with the hands off approach. Definitely prefer a curious and confident foal.*

Great video young man. I think most people just get in too much of a hurry. They want it all done yesterday. It just don't work that way. Enjoy every minute you work with a young foal as it is a once in a lifetime deal with each one, kind of like 1 of a kind. You will be amazed at what you learn by taking your time & being consistent. You will be amazed at what they learn from the process too.

that first colt is a real beauty

Fun stuff!

Me personally, I think you're right. I myself like to start them out young and maybe that's because I do want them. Where they are completely. I'm not sure if love would be the word but totally committed. Like I was part of the herd. I have always gotten along with horses and I've always had a connection to them and I've always loved riding them. But most of all I've always seem to have a connection. And I love their spirit. And I love the fact that you are trying to keep this young Colts. Spirit

Very interesting . . .

I really do love u are your work