{"title":"Foals \u0026 Imprinting \u0026 Early Learning","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border-style: double; border-width: 3px; padding: 4px; background-color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eImprint Trained Athletes in the News\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cu\u003eStorm in May\u003c\/u\u003e, a Thoroughbred owned by Kent Hersman was imprint trained at birth using Dr. Miller's methods ran in the 2007 Kentucky Derby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.buckistpat.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuckistpat\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e, a Standardbred owned by Ron Fuller DVM was \"Three Year Old Trotting Filly of The Year\" in 2006 and has set record for 2007 and 2008.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e Have an Imprint Trained Champion?  Let us know  \u003cspan color=\"#0000FF\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e \u003ca href=\"mailto:info@robertmmiller.com\"\u003e info@robertmmiller.com\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 3px double #0000FF; background-color: #ffffcc; padding: 1px 4px 1px 4px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSee the impact of imprint training - \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/UnderstandingHorses#p\/a\/u\/0\/-RX9X5B1dmQ\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e Video of imprinted foal at 20 days\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" style=\"font-family: Verdana;\"\u003eDr. Miller is one of the leading advocates and educators on the concept of imprint training of foals.  \u003cbr\u003e An overview of this technique is provided below.   \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#800000\" size=\"3\" face=\"Verdana\" style=\"color: #800000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;\"\u003e Imprint \u0026amp; Early Learning - An Overview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003eImprint \u0026amp; Early Learning offers a singular opportunity to permanently mold a horse's personality. For a short time, the new born foal is programmed to imprint stimuli. The right procedures at the right time yield dramatic results. There is no time a horse will learn faster.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003eAdvantages\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003eEarly Learning techniques can help ease handling, enhance later training efforts and reduce injuries. It shapes behavior in the following ways: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003e1) Bonding with the imprint trainer. Immediately postpartum, the foal bonds simultaneously with its dam and with one or more persons handling it. Such foals see humans, not as predators, but as fellow horses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003e2) Submission, but not fear. During early learning, the foal cannot escape (its natural method of survival) exposure to frightening stimuli. As a result, it becomes dependent and submissive in its attitude. The foal sees the trainer as a dominant horse or herd leader. Psychologically, this is the ideal relationship between horse and human. We must have submissiveness in a horse if he is to work for us. But, the submissiveness should be created not by fear (a predatory role) but by dependence (a dominant leader role).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003e3) Desensitization to most sensory stimuli (visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory). Most parts of the body, including all body openings, are desensitized. Rapid, repetitious stimuli (flooding) are used until the foal is habituated, i.e. permanently non responsive to those stimuli. Loud noises, fluttering objects or being touched anywhere on the body will thereafter be calmly tolerated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003e4) Sensitizing to performance related stimuli. Specifically, the foal can be taught to respond (rather than habituated) to head and flank pressure. The responsiveness allows control over the fore and hind quarters. The foal will lead where directed, and will move its hind end laterally in response to the touch of a finger in the flank region. This is best taught on the day after birth, after the foal is on its feet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003eSome believe that early bonding between the foal and humans will produce a \"pet\" foal. They believe that early foal-human bonding will produce a spoiled horse, indifferent to stimuli, which will lack the flightiness \"necessary\" to race or perform well. This is nonsense. the Early Learning Method, properly performed, will enhance a horse's relationship with humans. It will teach it \"good manners\" and increase its responsiveness to stimuli that will later improve its performance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003eThe only \"disadvantage\" of the \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEarly Learning Method\u003c\/span\u003e is that, since it is best started immediately post-partum, the mare must be brought in for foaling. This is actually desirable, because it allows rapid identification of any obstetrical problems. It also requires that the Broodmare be gentle and well mannered. If she is not, it is better to correct before the mare foals, or, better, before she is bred. One should not expect to turn out docile, well mannered foals if one doesn't have a well mannered mare. Yet, some people seem to take pride in owning untrained, ill mannered broodmares. To me, poor manners indicate ownership by an inept horseman. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003eAn enhanced relationship\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003eI first became aware that neonatal foals can be trained and their behavior indelibly shaped, about 30 years ago. Subsequently, a behavior shaping routine evolved which I originally called \"imprint training\".  I have now updated this to the \"Early Learning Method\" I have no illusions that the training of new born foals is a new idea. In fact, there is no doubt that human beings have done this for thousands of years. All I have done is ritualized the procedure, given it a name, attempted to scientifically explain why it is so effective, and publicly promoted and encouraged its use because it enhances the relationship between horse and human, and, from a veterinarian standpoint, greatly facilitates the practitioner's job.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003eIll mannered horses are the bane of the horse industry. If you can imprint train your foals, this problem will be minimized.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEarly Learning Method\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis now commonly used all over the world. Since imprint trained horses are more manageable, far fewer injuries occur to horses and people. It has made life easier for both horse and horse handler.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003eThis process is explained in depth with step by step instructions and pictures in Dr. Miller's book, \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/store.yahoo.com\/rmm-communications\/boimtr.html\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eImprint \u0026amp; Early Learning\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/store.yahoo.com\/rmm-communications\/earlylearning.html\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEarly Learning Video\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cb\u003eClick titles to order\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003eWhat the experts are saying about the Imprint \u0026amp; Early Learning Method:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 2px solid;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e \u003cspan size=\"2\" style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eImprint Training is the greatest advance in horse training in the 20th Century and possibly the greatest of all time - \u003ci\u003eDon Burke in his Australian TV show \u003cu\u003eBurke's Backyard\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 2px solid; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cspan size=\"2\" face=\"Verdana\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e \"I found out these young ones [foals] learn just as fast, or maybe faster, than the older ones.  It's surprising how quick these little ones catch on and how lasting it is.\" \u003cbr\u003e     \u003ci\u003e- legendary horseman Tom Dorrance in his 1987 book \u003cu\u003eTrue Unity\u003c\/u\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 2px solid;\"\u003e\u003cspan size=\"2\" style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\"Relatively a few short years ago, the first pioneer in the field of 'imprinting' established a path to follow and most enlightened mare owners have their own versions of the process.  It is an opportunity, like few others, to meaningfully experience and guide the awakening of a new life.  You see horses as a species are born 'ready to learn' and there is a logical method to begin the actual training of a horse just a few hours and\/or days old\"  \u003ci\u003e- Clinician Allen Pogue\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 2px solid; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cspan size=\"2\" style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eThis was the first time I used the method and the colt, \"Storm in May\" ended up in the \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/rss.msnbc.msn.com\/id\/18492202\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKentucky Derby\u003c\/a\u003e.  The trainer, Bill Kaplan at \u003ca title=\"blocked::http:\/\/www.kaplanhorseracing.com\/\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kaplanhorseracing.com\"\u003e www.kaplanhorseracing.com\u003c\/a\u003e has nothing but good to say about Storm in May's early training.        \u003ci\u003eKent D. Hersman - Flying H Enterprises \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n \n\u003cp\u003eWhat horse owners\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cspan face=\"Arial, Arial, Helvetica\" style=\"font-family: Arial, Arial, Helvetica;\"\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003e are saying:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 2px solid; margin-bottom: 10px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003eI wanted to write to you and tell you how impressed I am with your foal imprint training. I am a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and long time horsewoman who has always been interested in Natural Horsemanship techniques. The idea of relating to the horse based on his psychology just made sense. A good friend of mind, also a child and adolescent psychiatrist, used your book and video techniques for imprinting with her Hanoverian foal. I was NEVER expecting to use these techniques myself until my 23 year old saddlebred rescue mare unexpectedly gave birth to a filly months after I adopted her. I watched the video, worked with the baby, watched the video worked with the baby etc. I want to tell you that this little filly is now two months old. I have never met such a sweet, curious happy little foal. Not only is she acclimated to her feet being handled, fly spray, halters, leading, standing etc, she seems to actually enjoy and seek out work and experiences with people. I am extremely impressed and wanted to let you know. I am aware of some recent studies which questioned the utility of imprinting. While I only have a clinical trial of one, I would guess that those individuals did not carry out the procedures correctly. There were some techniques which I could not do correctly due to having limited help from others. When I realized I was potentially doing something incorrectly, I transitioned away from the procedure to something successful and did not attempt it again till I had reviewed the video with a helper. I want to encourage you to keep up the fabulous work. You are making life much better for many horses.\u003ci\u003e - Michelle Saidel \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 2px solid; margin-bottom: 10px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003eI admire Dr. Miller very much.  I have used his imprinting on my foals, (4 of which I still have, oldest is 21) and they are people horses. They run to the gate to be taken out, you can touch them anywhere without a problem, and they are so affectionate. Loving, respecting and working to understand horses has been one of the two highlights of my life, thanks to Dr. Miller's philosophy. - \u003ci\u003eJoanna H. - imprinting foals for over 2 decades.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #ffffcc;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 2px solid; margin-bottom: 10px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;\"\u003eI bought this book when it first came out several years ago. It set the dye for my venture into breeding. The experience has left me with some of the most wonderful memories of my life. The imprinting experience let me taste the miracle of birth, a special bonding of my own, and all the blessings that follow through to the saddle. The effect it has is not just a one way street...at least not for me. Riding horses that you imprint is a 3-D Technicolor deal. \u003ci\u003e - Shery J. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"imprint-training-early-learning-of-the-new-born-foal","title":"IMPRINT \u0026 EARLY LEARNING - Of The Newborn Foal (REPRINT NOW AVAILABLE)","description":"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHere is a how-to book for hands-on horse people, especially those who work with foals. The book explains procedures in step-by-step format with helpful photos. The reader learns how to lay the foundation of much of what the foal will need to know to grow into a useful and manageable horse. Imprint training makes the foal – and later the horse – safer, quieter, and easier to handle. Large paperback, 154 Pages\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePrice does not include shipping or sales tax (Added in Shopping Cart).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e* This is the same book originally published by Western Horseman under the title \u003cem\u003eImprint Training\u003c\/em\u003e.","brand":"Robert M Miller Communications","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":38327736402101,"sku":"1000","price":21.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/7478\/0597\/files\/EarlyLearningfrontcover.jpg?v=1698683323"},{"product_id":"early-learning-the-complete-training-of-the-newborn-foal-during-its-imprinting-critical-learning-periods-on-video-dvd","title":"EARLY LEARNING - The Complete Training of the Newborn Foal During Its Imprinting \u0026 Critical Learning Periods on Video DVD","description":"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHow would you like to raise a foal that: leads, ties, is calm, friendly, respectful, obedient, and bonded to you? Do your foals accept: grooming, hoof trimming, clipping, veterinary examinations and trailer loading? Are they unafraid of paper, plastic, other animals and strange objects? Are they eager to learn?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWith this DVD from Dr. Miller you can achieve all of this. Each procedure takes just minutes to teach during the critical learning times, which occur during the first hours and days of a foal's life. Protect your investment in time, love, and money, by taking advantage of your foal's incredible ability to learn. The time you spend on this training right after foaling will benefit you and your horse for a lifetime! Two hours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*** Save 15% when ordering 3 or more DVDs ***\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e","brand":"Robert M Miller Communications","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":38332299772085,"sku":"","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/7478\/0597\/products\/ELFrtCover.jpg?v=1616371548"},{"product_id":"foaling-fundamentals-a-video-guidebook-for-healthy-foaling","title":"Foaling Fundamentals: A Video Guidebook For Healthy Foaling","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNow available from Robert M Miller Communications. This DVD produced by Video Velocity, publisher of Dr. Miller's videos; \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cu data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEarly Learning\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cu data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSafer Horsemanship\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cu data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eUnderstanding Horses\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, will show the novice breeder everything one needs to know to be prepared. This award-winning program details the complete care of the pregnant mare, including a live foaling \u0026amp; the subsequent care of mother \u0026amp; baby. Comprehensive foaling kit list \u0026amp; diary included. Used by many vet colleges \u0026amp; breeding farms. A great prelude to Dr. Miller's foal training video, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cu data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEarly Learning\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. 60 minutes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*** Save 15% when ordering 3 or more DVDs ***\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Robert M Miller Communications","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":38332305768629,"sku":"","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/7478\/0597\/products\/foalingdvd.gif?v=1611437335"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/7478\/0597\/collections\/Imprint_Book_Cover.jpg?v=1633473216","url":"https:\/\/www.robertmmiller.com\/collections\/foals-imprint-training\/dvd.oembed","provider":"Robert M Miller Communications","version":"1.0","type":"link"}