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June 21, 2011 ....the day dawned crisp and clear with the clean smell of freshly washed grass and all things green and not so green. Jamie Mammano left early this am hoping for clear skies for the rest of her photo tour. I hope everyone enjoys Jamie as much as we have! The first day we worked with Sparky, our very black stallion and his cohort the more recently gelded Cracker ...in a very big field. Wow can those two put on a show! We played with the girls, got some super shots, and ended the day with Hannah and Mirisa ..aka gypsy girls and the big mares, Lora and Lucy with tag along baby Lotti!
LiL Lotti was two weeks Saturday and I am so impressed with this filly! The early imprinting is already paying off as she sees us as another dominant mare. I threw the 'dominant' bit in because I have seen this done and the horse ultimately has to have a lesson in serious manners. Attitude adjustment if you will. Thanks to the recent Parelli article, I was commited to the imprinting...but at this point in my life, I am not sitting up all night to be at the birth. This filly came at 8 in the morning and it is a good thing we were there as Lora, her dam, had a tough time cleaning. So, imprinting was a simple choice.
Ok....so now my thoughts on imprinting .....it is obvious to me some people attempt the process but do not understand how to imprint the dominant mare behavior with their actions. On day three or so the babies, already curious, will attempt to groom the human and that is fine but it is a fine line to be heeded. It can lead to nibbling and nipping...grabbing with their teeth items of interest and availability are just too much to resist. A bump with an elbow, or knee....not teeth shattering, just a bump...will emulate the mare's behavior. Watch the mare and you will soon see how patient and yet firm she will be when correcting the foal....Watch and Learn. Additionally, we have used another method for many years.... when the foal begins to check out your clothing ...is to handle the foals face until they turn their face from you...repeat and repeat....teaches the foal not to use it's mouth on you or your clothes.
Cheers!
LiL Lotti was two weeks Saturday and I am so impressed with this filly! The early imprinting is already paying off as she sees us as another dominant mare. I threw the 'dominant' bit in because I have seen this done and the horse ultimately has to have a lesson in serious manners. Attitude adjustment if you will. Thanks to the recent Parelli article, I was commited to the imprinting...but at this point in my life, I am not sitting up all night to be at the birth. This filly came at 8 in the morning and it is a good thing we were there as Lora, her dam, had a tough time cleaning. So, imprinting was a simple choice.
Ok....so now my thoughts on imprinting .....it is obvious to me some people attempt the process but do not understand how to imprint the dominant mare behavior with their actions. On day three or so the babies, already curious, will attempt to groom the human and that is fine but it is a fine line to be heeded. It can lead to nibbling and nipping...grabbing with their teeth items of interest and availability are just too much to resist. A bump with an elbow, or knee....not teeth shattering, just a bump...will emulate the mare's behavior. Watch the mare and you will soon see how patient and yet firm she will be when correcting the foal....Watch and Learn. Additionally, we have used another method for many years.... when the foal begins to check out your clothing ...is to handle the foals face until they turn their face from you...repeat and repeat....teaches the foal not to use it's mouth on you or your clothes.
Cheers!
