Post by cutiepie6 on Jun 14, 2006 14:58:21 GMT -5
I just thought I would pass on the info I just read in Storey's Guide to Horse Training...
They recommend (for foals new to the world)immediately handling the newborn.
Of course in order to attempt this, the momma is in a pen or stable, and she is VERY okay with you being there during the birth, which then transfers happy feelings to her newborn. Unhappy momma=unhappy baby.
The book recommends touching the newborn all over the face, within the nose, ears and mouth, and rubbing every portion of the body to imprint on the newborn that you are just as an important part of its world as its mom. The book even tells you to put on the halter and take it off again(numerous times until the baby doesn't react), tap on the hooves with something to let it feel pressure there, and squirting a spray bottle near it (not at it). If clippers are to be used for any clipping, then turn it on and off near its body (not on it), and any other thing you can think of to do near it.
The whole purpose is to desensitize the newborn, and acquaint it with its daily routine so it will think its normal to be groomed, touched, etc.
I am going to see if I can do this when the time is right for a calf here.
Has anyone else done anything similar with their newborns?
Carrie
PS By the way, this is all supposed to be done before the newborn stands up, at about the same time it hits the ground for the first time.
And it is supposed to be repeated every few hours or so. I feel tired just writing that ! What a chore.
But maybe it is worth it to raise bomb-proof horses--which can also be translated into raising a cow that's as gentle as a kitten.
They recommend (for foals new to the world)immediately handling the newborn.
Of course in order to attempt this, the momma is in a pen or stable, and she is VERY okay with you being there during the birth, which then transfers happy feelings to her newborn. Unhappy momma=unhappy baby.
The book recommends touching the newborn all over the face, within the nose, ears and mouth, and rubbing every portion of the body to imprint on the newborn that you are just as an important part of its world as its mom. The book even tells you to put on the halter and take it off again(numerous times until the baby doesn't react), tap on the hooves with something to let it feel pressure there, and squirting a spray bottle near it (not at it). If clippers are to be used for any clipping, then turn it on and off near its body (not on it), and any other thing you can think of to do near it.
The whole purpose is to desensitize the newborn, and acquaint it with its daily routine so it will think its normal to be groomed, touched, etc.
I am going to see if I can do this when the time is right for a calf here.
Has anyone else done anything similar with their newborns?
Carrie
PS By the way, this is all supposed to be done before the newborn stands up, at about the same time it hits the ground for the first time.
And it is supposed to be repeated every few hours or so. I feel tired just writing that ! What a chore.
But maybe it is worth it to raise bomb-proof horses--which can also be translated into raising a cow that's as gentle as a kitten.