Imprinting technique, and intensive socialization early in the foal.

Imprinting is the technique of nursing an animal like an individual of his own species. This includes carrying out natural handling of the foal from the moment of birth and during the subsequent days, modifying its personality. This learning process only happens in a brief sensitive period after birth and has irreversible effects on the animal's character. The advantages of this technique are the following: establishment of a bond with man; acceptance of human leadership; elimination of undesirable responses to certain stimulus; and habituation to maneuvers that will be used in the mature animal. Imprinting is developed in 3 stages. The first is the formation of the bond, which has the purpose of achieving a bond and acceptance between the foal and people. The second stage is the sensitization, which consists of diminishing the grade of general sensitization to other types of stimulus. The third stage is the final sensitization, in which the foal is taught the basic points for its appropriate future training. The methodology used in the Experimental Centre of Equine Reproduction includes maneuvers that are developed during the first 4 weeks of life in order to achieve the goal. The formation of the bond and desensitization are done in the first week upon the birth of the foal. In the second week, work is done on the standing foal with a muzzle, continuing with the desensitization maneuvers and adding specific maneuvers. In the third week, everything related to marching of the foal is taught. In the last week, the maneuvers have the purpose of the desensitization to stressful situations.