advice for over friendly youngster

[holt889]

My 18mth old gelding is so friendly and calm and has taken all to the basic handling i have done with him really well. ( he came to me in April from a field of younsters that had never been touched ) He is so good when doing work inhand and moves his forehand, quarters over on command and moves back on command 80% of the time. He is just SO friendly that when he is loose in the field/barn he just walks right upto people almost knocing them over. He is never nasty but obviously at some point he could do someone some damage. I have tried being in his face, waving arms, whips, leadropes and would chase him away but he just roots himself to the floor !!!
Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can teach him to respect peoples space as I don't want him to get bad habits forming.

 

[Carlosmum]

Its all about respecting your personal space. My youngster was the same. If he wont back off when you wave your arms try something noisy....A plastic bottle with some coins or nut/bolts might work or a rustly supermarket plastic bag makes a good noise. Rattle at him the moment he steps a foot to close, and then make a fuss of him. He will get the point eventually that he shouldn't stick his face in your face. It might work! and he will grow out of it.