Welcome to the Foal Patrol Education Blog!
Questions or comments? Contact us at foalpatrol@racingmuseum.net
In response to a question we received this week about the hows of leading a foal, we think you will find this blog post from Stonestreet Farm helpful with its guidance on lead training - teaching a horse to safely walk alongside its handler who holds a lead rope. And for more on early handling, imprinting, and halter training, check out this article by Heather Smith Thomas available on The Horse.
In response to some recent questions about corrective hoof trimming, this article speaks to the importance of early trimming in maintaining correct leg and hoof structure. You also may find this Q&A with Dr. Craig Lesser of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital helpful in its discussion of whether there is an age after which trimming to balance conformation issues becomes ineffective. A big thanks to the Paulick Report for allowing us to share the Q&A with our Foal Patrol followers.
Healthy hooves are critical to horses' overall health and well-being throughout their lives. Learn more about what a recent research study has to say about the importance of a properly balanced diet in the formation of resilient hoof tissue at a young age in this resource available from Kentucky Equine Research.
In response to a viewer's question about bone development in foals while still in the womb, this article by Christa Lesté-Lasserre available on The Horse presents interesting research findings in the ongoing study of equine bone development in utero.
We have received a few more questions about foals' diets after weaning. This online resource by Dr. Anna Pesta provides a good overview of nutritional considerations during this important phase of a foal's development. We thank Dr. Jeremy Shaba at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for recommending this resource for our Foal Patrol viewers.
For more information on weaning and diet, visit our Season 5 Nutrition Blog.
