10 month old gelding rearing. Help please

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doushiedoo

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Ive had my weaning since he was 5.5 months old. Since having him havent done a great deal other than leading to and from field and feet picking up.
He was castrated on monday and the vet said I needed to walk him in hand to help the swelling reduce.

Ive done this and the little sod has started rearing and boxing. Nothing to major until today. He has caught my hubby's hand when boxing and also landed on my back so is getting more dangerous.

I was advised by a friend to smack him with a crop across his legs when he goes up. I dont really want to have to do this though.

Ive been researching on the internet about rearing yearlings and a lot of people use different halters or nose chains.

My questions are:

How long does it take after a colt is castrated for him to calm down?

Is it best to ignore the rearing and make him walk on with a stern calm voice or smack him?

Should I persevere with a normal leather headcollar or try a be nice/dually?


Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated :)
 
I'd use a halter that would give you more control, or a chain over the nose + a firm voice. And maybe wear a hat too, just to be safe.
 
If you can leave him turned out 24/7 that would be best re swelling, as long as you are in an area where there is no chance of frost. I haven't gelded yet as we are still getting frosts in the mornings.
 
Is he being turned out at all at the moment?


at his age I wouldn't want to use a control halter or a chain across the nose unless it was an absolute last resort.

Make sure you always lead him with a lunge line so you don't end up underneath him when he goes up.

Before he gets to the waving with front legs part, I would make sure he is walking out properly- next to your shoulder but an arms length away from you instead of on top of you.

If he does go up, a short jerk on the line, a loud no and then get him walking on again sharpish.

If he keeps going up and you are quick enough, I would be more inclined to hit him under the belly with a leadrope than putting something sharp on his head.
 
If he has only started this since he was cut then the idications are that it is connected to him being in. Has his hardfeed been cut to take into account he is spending more time in? How long does he get at liberty? If he has been in at night prior to gelding, what has changed in his routine? Or was he rearing before & I have not read "He was castrated on monday and the vet said I needed to walk him in hand to help the swelling reduce.
Ive done this and the little sod has started rearing and boxing. " this correctly.
 
Hi
He is out all day and in during the night. He tends to do this as the others are in the field and he wants to be with them. This is why I think he is trying it on with me.

I did try to lead him in the field with his mates but that didnt work either. This is where my hubby got punched!

Thanks for all the advice guys, will def try the firmer hand and longer lunge line. Ive been using a leadrope and keeping him close to me.
 
ours started doing this recently, we'v started leading him in a soft rubber snaffle and after going up once or twice he hasnt done it since (yet!)
im not condoning beating him up but still be aware that he needs to respect your space, you dont want to be stuck with a four year old doing the same thing!!
 
Hi
Please dont think im being nieve but what is the best way of disciplining him to earn respect. I dont want to ruin any trust/bond we have already.
 
why dont you try basic things we have a few 'rules' for example - when we go in the stable he has to go back, when i put him back in we make him back up rather than dive into his hay an when he's fed he has to wait a stride or two away while we put it in his manger and wait until we'v moved away. if he comes into our space we send him back putting our hands up and growling, he wasnt too impressed when we started making him wait so have a plastic bucket ready incase he comes barging at you!! lol! the joys....
 
Ive been walking him every night this week and taking him on an alternative route to the field and he seems to be getting better.

I want to start teaching him to trot in hand. Any advice on best way to approach this?
 
doushiedoo said:
Ive been walking him every night this week and taking him on an alternative route to the field and he seems to be getting better.

I want to start teaching him to trot in hand. Any advice on best way to approach this?
Click to expand...

Oh god - Trot in hand there is a nice idea lol I can get standing as still as a house in hand dillydallying in hand or canter in hand with my 8 mnth old colt .... so far very little trot :-) ha ha

Glad he is getting better - Fitzy can be a sod sometimes but I have watched him and he is behaving with me like he does his best mate in the field, it isn't easy to teach manners but going back is a very good step and if he barges past me or anything thats what I make him do

keep on with him ( + I second wear a hat )
 
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