Under the direction of  Merriewold’s trainer Jackie Brittain, our new foals are groomed and handled on a daily basis.  During this time the foals become accustomed to and accept the people around them and learn to trust and respect humans.   They are brushed, have their legs and feet handled, learn to wear a halter and walk on a lead.

 In this photo Merriewold Kirin and Merriewold Kona are learning to walk on a lead rope next to their handlers Ubaldo and Abbie.

      
Here Kirin meets the farrier, Mike LaGrone for the first time.  And Kona gets her first trim.  These first encounters are as much training as actual trimming.  They begin a life long association with the person responsible for the health of their feet.