The Principles of Training: Handling Unweaned Thoroughbred Foals Part 2

In Part 2 of Foal Handling with Luke Thomas we see how within four days Luke was able to calmly lead an unhandled thoroughbred foal around, away from it’s mother, all by creating trust and confidence. By the end of day six, these foals would rather come over to the fence and get scratched by me than be running around 50+ acres with all their friends.
I was able to put all of these ideas that Luke so expertly demonstrated into practice with our foal Chance. Never before had I been able to get connection from a foal with such ease, and as he has grown he has one of the coolest temperaments that I have ever had in a horse, he is always relaxed, yet is able to connect back to any of my asks immediately. The Chance series on the subscription goes in-depth into all the techniques used by Luke.
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[@barbaraisherwood]

As a person who focuses my time on foals and young horses, I can honestly say this is some of the most inspiring horsemanship I have seen. Its like a beautiful dance.

[@saspinks3001]

I wish every horse could have such a pleasant start with humans.

[@1jazzyphae]

Same too many cruel harsh people

[@j.hobblitz6595]

Your foal series came just in time, as we just bought one yesterday. Your advice to interact with mum first came in handy. I interacted with mum and dad, and got a first scratch. Later on dad an foal approached us from a far (they have a very big field). Their breeder told us, that this usually doesn't happen with strangers. So I thank you very much for helping to create that moment!

[@nancyk3615]

Funny, I tried this with my foal with his mom's help. She was so steady and he caught on pretty soon, Thank you for this.

[@debbiejohnson4737]

Watching you handle those sweet innocent weakling with such resolute tenderness out in the Lonesome Valley is "Inexplicable...hard to put into words." Beautiful stuff.

[@GerryCoxHorsemanship]

Another great story Bro... It's a PROCES Not and EVENT eh? I love your work and proud to call you my friend...

[@magdalenagauderon3754]

Realy enjoyed these episodes.thank you

[@buffalohillwalkinghorses7746]

Great stuff..as always. Luke’s hug is using a physiologic tool where closing an eye results in the oculocardiac reflex and subsequent slowing of the heart/relaxation, etc as the vagus nerve is stimulated. This reflex is more pronounced in juveniles. In the video when Luke gently hugs the head the foals left eye closes as it touches his shirt, and mild pressure is being applied to the closed eye causing the OCR and resulting relaxation. Al Dahl, DVM

[@pon1952leod]

What a treat!! So wonderful to see these young horses get such a positive start. Can’t get enough of humans and animals working together without fear or stress. Thank you Warwick❤️

[@coconutz247]

watch "horse perfect". i've been a long time fan of warrick but this kid shows how to very quickly train foals without all the schiller splaining.

[@sarahyake4120]

Your advice has helped me immensely with our 6666's Jesses Topaz 2022 filly! Setting boundaries/ haltering and getting the leading process going, the overall handling and building a solid relationship with our month old foal! My first foal experience and I go back again and again for the reinforcement advice in your live tutorials and cannot thank you enough! Sarah Yake, VT

[@veronicasmith1147]

Have to say that was wonderful enjoyed every minute💚💚

[@destinationaddictionsamsar7894]

This is not only teaching the foal to lead but also teaching the foundations of ground work

[@sidilicious11]

I really enjoyed watching the series. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!!

[@sarikoske396]

What a wonderful approach! Such a great video jam packed with years of knowledge and experience. Thank you Warwick and Luke for sharing. I have added this to my "bag of tools"! 👍

[@susankuhlman6514]

As always, I am inspired.

[@karenanderson6323]

Thank you AGAIN!!!

[@abethomas8625]

What is the name of the music

[@comesahorseman]

My dad used a very similar method when "starting" Standardbred foals! It works and it's low stress.

[@tracym6297]

Another awesome video. You and Luke are so connected with the "now" that these foals know you're present. Mum's not bothered either. Love it!

[@matttaimuty5397]

Fantastic stuff. Thank you for sharing this. How are you doing with the fire situation? You seem to be in an area free of smoke. No fires near you I hope.

[@randomvielleuse527]

These videos always make my day so much better! This one has left me with tears of joy and gratitude. Warwick, people like you are what make the world a good place for all of us, but especially for the horses. Thank you.

[@jorlenepfannmuller9065]

Very interesting and inspiring, thank you.

[@johnyoulle1387]

One of best things I've seen

[@kidstuff44555]

Lovely sweet foals. What a shame that OTT thoroughbreds are generally anxious and stressed, with terrible mouths, ulcers and bad habits such as windsucking/cribbing/head tossing etc. The racing industry is not kind

[@lindaweybright2480]

Yes. They need time and attention. Too bad most of them wind up at a slaughterhouse.

[@blueraven2345]

Thank you so much for sharing that. Great stuff.

[@sherryw-ponyluv-er2394]

I love horse training where you see no dust. A really wonderful progression of effective steps.

[@sidilicious11]

You inspired me, Warwick, and I have tried the head under the armpit hold, that I dubbed a ‘happy hug’ , on my relationship-with-humans-challenged burly 6 year old gelding. I’ve had him since he has a young’un and I wish I could have done that to him then. Better late than never. And he’s submitting to me, to my surprise and delight! Not easily, but I keep my hands as gentle as possible and as firm as I can get away with, and loving. That tuck under the armpit is precious💕

[@fetchmour]

foals are pretty smart

[@Kim-ow9te]

What if you have a foal that's already weaned from mom? How would you go about getting the halter on them?

[@mdee860]

Thanks for sharing Luke's calm methodology & Lonesome Valley with all of us. I can't imagine anyone spending time there with Luke & his herd, coming away unchanged in a profound way. Incredibly moving, overflowing with concern & kindness.

[@julierussell8876]

If only all horses born could experience humans and interacting like this. To continue each step of their handling and training, backing in from where you finished off there, what calm, confident and untroubled they would be. What amazing rides and work could be achieved, such harmony.

[@mm25937]

Great!!

[@kristine8338]

WoW, merci 👒

[@margrietoregan828]

A billion, billion, billion thank yous, Warwick !!!! Earth shattering 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Xenophon will rise up to salute you

[@normanwheatley14]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT, WARWICK, THANKS

[@quinton5934]

Inspiring work

[@antoinettenichilo2377]

Beautiful thank you for sharing so Much love ans respect ❤️

[@amandadonaghey7540]

And in the small pen - matching foot steps too! 👍

[@amandadonaghey7540]

WOW!!

[@alicecohen4726]

Beautiful

[@mdee860]

These mares are amazingly calm. There is true teamwork between that trainer & the Mom - they both want the foal to have as stress-free as possible first training. Love this! What do you suggest for 'the hug' if the trainer is shorter & smaller? Doesn't seem like the hug would work so well if you need to bring the foal's head down... in addition to turning it? Suggestions?

[@jenniferlehman2464]

Foals are amazing to work with if you have the trust of the mares. That's what I've found over the many years of helping foals into this world. Best Regards and Stay Safe Everyone!! Jenn from Ontario, Canada.

[@aleejade6791]

Am I imagining it or is that a cockatoo and other native birds! You are home? Are ypu staying for a bit? Any clinics? Im sorry but im a bit excited if you're back in Aus 💗

[@WarwickSchiller]

This was filmed several years ago.

[@allisone.1429]

I wonder if the hug is a common practice for thoroughbred weanlings, because I've noticed two different thoroughbreds I've worked with who really enjoyed getting their heads under my arm when worried. They don't get all the way jammed into my armpit obviously, but they'd try to get their heads under my forearm to relax and then just stand there like that.

[@heatherpike5230]

It sounds similar to how the foal hides into mum's flank as a safe place