18th August, 2008 Pony swingers

I have caused a major furore on the New Forest Equine Directory for daring to suggest that tying an untouched foal to something solid (swinging) in order to teach it to "respect" the halter is not acceptable. Amidst strong support, there are still those that insist that this so-called traditional method works and that there is nothing wrong with it. This isn't an argument between Commoners and non-Commoners although this practice tends only to be used by some of the people who breed semi-feral ponies on the New Forest, Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Welsh Hills and the Cumbrian Fells. People who breed much bigger and probably more valuable foals that may be equally as unhandled do not resort to this and many prefer a figure of eight rope or even fabric around the foal's hindquarters rather than putting any pressure on the poll at all. This first encounter with the pressure of a halter and rope inevitably causes the foal to go "into-pressure" and to pull back as if it's life depended on it - there is no reason for it to think that it's life doesn't and they will go far beyond any pain that they feel.


This practise is illogical because it certainly doesn't teach a foal to like being touched, to accept humans or to be caught, and in my view it is unnecessary and harmful to the short and long term mental and physical well being of the pony. The majority of horse owners would be astounded to find out this still goes on and I doubt that many buyers at the Beaulieu Road Sales are aware that this is how their pony could have been treated. Halter broken does not mean halter trained or happy to have a halter anywhere near it.

I asked Kate Boe, Corley-McTimoney Chiropractor what she thought of it:

Hi Sarah

EEK! I can't believe people really do that!!

If, or should I say when, the foal panics it will pull back, all of the pressure from the narrow halter will be felt across the sensitive structures over and around the horse's poll. As well as bruising to the superficial layers, there will be muscle damage, bruising and associated inflammation, which in turn will cause pressure on the nerves, resulting in what must be a very severe headache with associated heightening of light and sound, any migraine sufferers will empathise with this, it is not a pleasent feeling! Under the muscle at this point is the joint connecting the skull to the first vertebrae through which the spinal cord runs and nerves run from. Pressure, especially pressures from pulling back can cause a misalignment of this important joint, often referred as the poll being "out." This misalignment of the poll, or atlas vertebrae, causes the nerves to be impinged causing pain and inflammation, leading to behavioural responses such becoming headshy, nervousness, trouble catching, nervous when tacking up, high head carriage, to name a few. It is important to remember horses can not verbalise their pain, so the only way they can let you know they are uncomfortable is with such behaviours.

Also, add to all this that the horse in question is a foal, the structural disturbances described above would effect the growth and development of healthy tissue as the very young horse continues to grow. Any physical disruption to young growing tissue could have a negative effect on the horse physically, not just from performance and gait but may cause chronic discomfort. All this is just a physical view point, I can't even begin to imagine the mental impact upon the young foal who has limited contact with humans.

I hope this helps, I hope I have come across professionally and calm, because inside I'm raging!!
I don't mind if you use my name,

Kate Boe