Imprinting
Foal Training Part
II
by Allen Pogue and Suzanne De Laurentis, all rights reserved, 2005
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.
Imprinting, when artfully applied, undeniably creates a bond of trust between the horse and man. When it is creatively applied there are no bounds to the results one can obtain save those imposed by a lack of knowledge and experience or an unwillingness to experiment. Time well-spent with the new foal over the first few weeks can teach lessons that will last a lifetime. 
Perhaps the most important lesson of all is to create a submissive attitude in the foal, which leads to willingness and honesty in the adult horse. The technique proven most effective is laying the foal down. This does not always prove quite so easy, especially when the foal has had a few hours (or more) to gain strength and develop resistances.
A truly creative strategy one can employ to effect the lay-down is the incorporation of a big, cushy, beanbag. You simply place the beanbag in a corner of the stall, gather the foal in your arms and back yourself onto the cushion. As you set back and lower yourself and the foal onto the cushion, you allow yourself to 'soften' as you exhale to help emanate relaxation. The foal can sit on your outstretched inner thigh or on the beanbag beside you depending on the size ratio and your ability to maintain order. From this position it is quite easy to comfortably slip the foal onto a well-bedded floor of the stall for a lay-down..