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Laurelhighland English Rose,
2000 filly out of Guards Blossom by Waverhead Prince II, giving Mary Jean
a "smooch" when just a few hours old.
The Benefits of Imprinting Foals
What is "imprinting"? It is similar to the concept of imprinting ducklings. You know, if the duckling sees you before its mom at birth it will follow you around like its mother?! Imprinting a foal refers to a training technique developed by Dr. Robert Miller, DVM. At the time of birth, foals can absorb more information than at any other time. Lessons learned at this early age can last a lifetime. Imprint training is efficient (a lesson learned in a few minutes at birth can save HOURS of aggravation later if trying to teach an older foal the same thing). It also gentles the foals and prepares them for schooling later. Early exposures to certain stimuli allow the foals to accept the same stimuli later without fear, especially regarding humans. This technique includes doing things like rubbing the foal all over, pulling at ears, putting on halter, pressure on poll, taking a temperature, picking up feet, making loud noises, etc. It works best if you work with the foal as soon as possible after it is born (even before it stands) and then repeat the exercises within the first 24 hours during the "receptive" period, before the "fight or flight" instinct overpowers the foal's natural curiosity and receptiveness. Immediately after birth, the foal at this stage will usually "let you do anything" with little fuss -- of course there is no guarantee Mom won't fuss but she is often too weary at this stage to fret too much! If you don't use the technique within this time frame, it doesn't work. We are believers in this method of training and make every effort to imprint all our foals in a similar fashion. And when you start with a foal like a Friesian or a Fell that has a genetic predisposition to having a nice temperament, the combination is outstanding. With barn camera surveillance, I was able to work with the Fell pony filly shown above within minutes of birth. (She was literally just hitting the ground when I saw she was born on our barn cameras.) I'm sure this early handling established a bond or trust of humans more easily, allowing her to be willing to leave her mom and come over to me anytime I called, even when she was just days old. I'm sure her new owners will attest to the fact that she still seems to prefer to be in a human's "lap" as opposed to anywhere else!
After imprinting, our foals continue to receive daily, individualized care, while also enjoying the additional social benefits of life in a herd. This combination of herd life and positive human interaction provides the foal with the best social skills possible, helping to prepare them for anything life has to offer!
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For more information about our breeding stock, see Our Fell Ponies or Our Friesians.
Most of our foals are reserved before birth if not before conception!
Contact us for pricing information and currently available foals. The list below is not necessarily up-to-date!
Although our foals are in high demand
and are usually reserved before birth
for guaranteed sound/healthy foal, the sale is not final until foal is born and
guarantee is satisfied.
Note: Some foals noted below have been
reserved with a gender guarantee (either as fillies or colts) by return
customers. Since we don't know the gender in advance, a few of these could
thus become unexpectedly available after birth if they are born the opposite
gender.
If you are
interested in going on the waiting list for our foals, please
contact us.
All of our Fell pony foundation breeding stock were imported from England.
Inglegarth Radiant X Waverhead Model IV
Due 2008
(in utero!)
Sleddale Wild Rose V X Brackenbank Romany's Prince
Due 2008
(in utero!)
Ludworth Lady Grey X Brackenbank Romany's Prince
Due 2008
(in utero!)
Brackenbank Poppy X Brackenbank Romany's Prince
Due 2008
(in utero!)
Sleddale Lib V X Waverhead Model IV
Due 2009
(before conception!)
Castle Hill Dainty X Waverhead Model IV
Due 2008
(in utero!)
Lunesdale Rock Rose X Brackenbank Romany's Prince
Due 2008
Hades Hill Freya X Waverhead Robbie
Due 2008
(in utero!)
Lownthwaite Monarch X Waverhead Robbie
Due 2008
(before conception!)
Laurelhighland Sapphire X Laurelhighland Rambler
Due 2008
Lownthwaite Orange Blossom X Brackenbank Romany's Prince
Due 2008
(in utero!)
Guards Blossom X Waverhead Robbie
Due 2008
(in utero!)
Lune Valley Dolly X Waverhead Model IV
Due 2008
(Available as colt or black filly only)
Laurelhighland Lyric X Waverhead Model IV
Due 2008
(in utero!)
Raisburn Lettie II X Waverhead Model IV
Due 2008
(in utero!)
All Fell pony foals are imprinted, extensively handled and halter-trained, DNA-tested, microchipped, and registered with the Fell Pony Society (UK).
Sofia vom Lindenbaum* X Anton 343
Due 2009
(before conception!)
*(a.k.a. Sophia Pandora v.L., Star, who was Reserve Champion Friesian at Dressage at Devon 1999)
Friesian foals are imprinted, extensively handled and halter-trained, DNA-tested, and registered.
