Glory Gait Walkers
William & Casey Makela & Family
1628 Mill Road,
Harrisville, Michigan 48740 USA
phone: (989) 736-6583 e-mail: glorygait@hotmail.com
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The Gentle Art of Imprinting
by Casey Makela
Imprinting is the art of introducing yourself, a human, to an animal infant shortly after its birth. In the wild, communication takes place between mother and offspring within seconds after birth. This process of bonding strengthens the maternal/infant relationship and this helps to ensure newborn survival.
Some animals, like dogs and cats, naturally gravitate to humans. Unique for this behaviour in the animal kingdom, dogs and cats are instinctively willing to establish and maintain relationships with (wo)man. This is especially true of canines. Dogs display an uncanny devotion to their human masters and thrive on healthy relationships with them in work or play. How often do we read of stories where dogs or cats have traveled for miles, sometimes thousands of miles, to be reunited with their lost families. Moreover, the success of dogs in service or therapy programs for physically challenged or house-bound persons is a true wonder and testament to the magnificence of the canine mind. Demonstrations of devotion and loyalty in the truest sense.
Horses are of unique character in that they are capable of accepting and thriving in a relationship with humans but only after effort and patient convincing are exercised first. Indeed, the truest nature of the horse is more wild than in-born domesticated. However, with the right approach and communication techniques, horses can be won over to not only accept being domesticated by humans, but to have a wonderful and mutually beneficial relationship as well.
When is the best time to start training a horse and how can it be accomplished most successfully? Training should begin shortly after birth using the technique we now call "imprinting".
The idea of imprinting has been around for as long as humans have had relationships with animals. The best animal trainers have always known that the secret to the most effective way of establishing a relationship with an otherwise wild animal is to have access to that animal as soon after birth as possible - whenever possible. Animal specialists will tell you that first impressions really do matter!
That is what "imprinting" is all about. One is literal imprinting their presence on the mind of an infant to establish once and for all time a familiarity that will be life-long in that infants mind. Imprinting includes every facet of sensation imaginable, most especially all of the things we don't easily notice. Smell, sound, touch, manner of movement; these are some of the many impressions that can be imprinted onto the infant mind.
The infant mind in humans and animals is a vast but almost blank data base that readily absorbs the details of every single second of life from the very moment that baby leaves the womb. In animals, the capacity for processing information, while "primitive" compared to humans, is in fact, complex and in the long run, ever so much more efficient right from the start. Animals mature at a very rapid rate. Sensations are processed quickly and behaviours are established at lightening speed. However primitive those thought process might be compared to the human mind, an infant horse is on its feet ready and alert to identify and interpret signals from its mother within minutes after birth. It's an issue of survival.
In an effort to more easily train a horse, imprinting can be used to impress upon the infant equine mind that human presence is normal, acceptable and destine to occur - a part of daily life.
Done correctly and with respect for the maternal/infant bond, imprint training is the single most effective tool equestrian trainers have at their disposal. It's economical, relatively easy and very, very effective.
The fact that infant first impressions can make a positive life long impact on the horse/human relationship should motivate horse owners to employ this easy training technique at every opportunity.
Below are some of the first lessons of imprint training that we introduced Glory Gaits Butch Cassidy to shortly after he was born. If you haven't had the opportunity to view his birth (4-13-00), we invite you to visit his birth page and see some rare and beautiful pictures of an equine birth here at this link: Sandy's Birth
Otherwise, enjoy the following pictures!
pictures & graphics & narrative by Casey Makela
Marion introduces herself to the foal. Imprinting should begin within an hour or so after birth. Don't intrude on important mother/infant bonding time. But, be there to leave your impression too. You may have to restrain the mare. Be very sure you are not in any danger in her presence...remember, her instinct is to guard and protect her infant from all predators and in her mind that may include you. Don't assume on your relationship with her. The mothering instinct is the strongest emotion known to all maternally inclined creatures - sometimes beyond all reason and in animals certainly beyond human rational. Start with a slow, gentle introduction of yourself to the newborn. Remember, he (she) has already bonded with his mother and you are a foreign entity to him. He doesn't know if he "should" fear you or not. Your objective is to be as non-threatening as possible. His first impression of you should be the very best. Women, having had children or not, are particularly adept at positive imprinting with animal infants. As women, we completely understand and empathize with maternal instinct and nurturing and have a true affinity for any and all babies. Infants intuitively feel that natural "mothering" emotion and it helps to make them feel calm and secure.
Carefully but steadily work yourself into the baby's "space" and sooth him with calm touches and warm tones of voice. I have my daughter Marion (shown here) make first impressions because I can barely contain myself from grabbing on and kiss, kiss, kissing the baby on the muzzle along with a big squishy hug. Oh, I LOVE babies so much that I can't resist the urge to simply smother them with my overwhelming presence - very inappropriate around horses, I know!! (that's what I have goats for!) So, Marion, my son John and my husband Bill keep me on a tether at a safe and harmless distance...usually behind the camera!
As you can see, a halter has already been put on and has been quickly and easily accepted by the foal as normal. Take it off and put it on several times a day. MAKE SURE nothing in the stall is protruding that the foal can get accidentally hung up on!
Also, be sure clean, dry bedding is scattered around for warmth and general comfort. We prefer fluffy yellow straw.
Slowly work your hands over the foals body. Really tune in to him. If he gets nervous, just pause, remain calm and wait for him to adjust to the new sensation before moving on. It helps to have a friend assist and steady the foal. Keep a close watch on the foals ears and tail...he will communicate a great deal to you through body language!
Move with the foal and offer very little resistance. You don't want to cause him anxiety by feeling "trapped" by your affection and attention. Stay with his movements and be reassuring.
As his tolerance allows, embrace him and "cover" him with your body. Thus, his very first lesson in having a human presence "over" him - a posture related to the day when he will be mounted by a rider. Do watch your face - broken noses are very common among horse owners who have their faces to close to a horses head without paying attention - I should know!
Now, touch his legs and lift each of his feet. Do this every day several times a day...your farrier and Vet will thank you for this in the very near future!!
Before you let him go, be sure you have touched him all over his body and really rubbed him down - including his ears. Don't rush this. Find the places he likes to have scratched or caressed. This will make the experience enjoyable and something to look forward to next time. Before too long, you will be able to introduce a delicious treat to further encourage and reward cooperation.
Glory Gaits Butch Cassidy returns to the comfort of Momma for a reassuring suckle at lessons end!
It's been a very productive learning experience!
The techniques of imprinting should take place several times throughout each and every day of a foals first few days of life and then very regularly afterward to maintain the relationship and primary lessons. Again, take your time during these sessions. You can't rush the relationship. You must productively build upon each encounter and work very hard at making them all positive experiences. Never forget that the mind of a foal can be imprinted on for both good and bad - you want to make every effort to keep all encounters good ones so the baby will never have anything to fear from you and will eventually look forward to your visits - especially once treats can be introduced!
The human/equine relationship is an extraordinary one. Take your time with them and enjoy every moment to the full. We have indeed been gifted to know and be accepted by the most majestic creature on earth - the Horse!
Glory Gait Home Page
Michigan School of Equestrian Studies
Offering great correspondence (home study) programs in horse science and more -
perfect for all ages and experience levels!
If you are interested in learning more about natural birth (human!) and midwifery,
visit my midwifery pages:
Gently Borne Midwifery
gentlyborne.com
Michigan School of Traditional Midwifery
traditionalmidwife.com
See beautiful kidding pictures of one of our
Saanen Dairy Goats!
Herd Queen, Oberhasli "Gwen" personally invites YOU!
See beautiful canine birth pictures of
Toy Poodles & Shih-tzu being born at our
Mari-May Kennels!!
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