The Printing Habit page 2

by Ginny Smith

Janet George, of Indigo Irish Draughts, who has been breeding for many years, expresses very clearly the more pragmatic approach that the majority of breeders in both the US and the UK adopt:

“I handle all my foals at birth (unless Mum is being over-protective, but all my own mares are happy for me to handle their foals). I help Mum dry them off (I use a tea-towel!), I run my hands down their legs, stroke their faces and lean over them. And that's it! Unless we're both tired when we may crash out together!”

“….I have NEVER had any trouble taking foals' temperatures or doing anything else NECESSARY with them, despite the fact I have never felt the need to stick fingers up all their apertures!!”

Jennifer Desroches and Jessica Stallings, of Signature Sport Horses, sum up the prevailing view:

“We've done both everything and nothing now for 7 years, and honestly, we can tell no difference between doing either technique (which tells me the imprinting is not useful nor necessary). We used to totally believe in it until we had a foal we missed the birth of and it didn't matter one bit.

Just basic handling when they are born and through 1-2 weeks old seems to get them as well prepared and adjusted as they need to be - we've gone from being "in their face" right after birth to just letting mom take care of the situation while watching from a far, offering help if needed (nursing, etc), and going back to bed and watching from cams when all is deemed well. I think the mare finds this less intrusive and stressful and I would swear there is no difference in the foal. Simply my opinion from experience.”

And maybe a question of common horsesense?!

(With thanks to all those who discussed their views on foal imprinting with me, and to the forum members of Chronicles of the Horse and Horse Breeders Forum who were generous in sharing their opinions and experience)

Links and articles:
http://www.robertmmiller.com/about.html
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/breeding/tha-imprint.shtml
http://www.ruralheritage.com/horse_paddock/horse_imprint.htm Pros and cons
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=6493 Horse.com on research comparing imprinting with less interventionist handling
http://www.startemright.com/articles/20081203130507.html critique