Advice please....colt with ATTITUDE!!

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MrsMagoo

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Lol now we seem to have solved Ron's liver problems he is now turning into the lively colt he should be...problem is this now involves rearing while coming in or going out!! arghhh.

He's 20months and uncut.....I lead him in a control headcollar already but this didnt seem to do much this morning. When he goes up i do a sharp tugg on the headcollar and shout no sturnley but he's still doing it. Any advice??

I know one reason is he wants to play...he's now by himself in a paddock but I put balls etc out there. I think he sees me as more of a playmate rather then the boss, certainly was that way when I tried poo picking the other day.

Fine in the stable apart from wanting to trash all the rugs lol. What can I do?
 
Sounds like he needs a field friend!
Think you might find that burning off some energy whilst playing in the field might make life a bit better.
 
MrsMagoo said:
I know one reason is he wants to play...he's now by himself in a paddock but I put balls etc out there. I think he sees me as more of a playmate rather then the boss, certainly was that way when I tried poo picking the other day.

Fine in the stable apart from wanting to trash all the rugs lol. What can I do?
Click to expand...

I think you have answered your own question. I would find him a playmate.
 
that is an answer but at the moment there is no one to go with him....the 2 youngsters he was with are in a new field where I wont risk putting ron out in due to his liver problems!! There is a possibly friend but he wont be back to the yard until another month or so...
 
well its not up to me as im on a livery yard and the paddock ron is now in isnt big enough for 3. One is getting gelded soon so maybe the other colt could go back with Ron but again will be a few weeks.
 
A few options: (In no real order.)

1. Geld him and see if that helps.

2. Use a chain over his nose to give you more control. There's a good article here about using them.

3. Lead him with a lunge line and put him to work when he starts playing up.

4. Turn him out in a herd, so he can have some equine interaction. A good boss horse will teach him to mind his manners.

5. Do lots of ground work with him. If he's focused on you and what you're going to ask him next, then his little brain isn't wandering and looking for trouble. Do turns and circles and small amounts of backing up. Basically, keep him guessing so he has to keep his mind on you.

I'd also stop shouting- it's likely to excite him more. Try using the same stern tone, but at a lower volume. You could also carry a stick and give him a smack when he starts playing up.
 
Do you mean a chain or a control headcollar? They work a bit differently, and one can sometimes work better than the other. :)

I'd give the ground work a try then.
 
Was just a chain on a normal headcollar but then I got the control headcollar with built in chain thinking it would be safer....maybe the chain on normal headcollar was better. hmmm may test that tonight??
 
A good friend of mine has a few stallions (big boy's), and she uses a chain lead rope around the nose area with the headcollar and the stallions are in the paddocks where they can see one another. As far as I know this has worked for her :)
 
Can't help I'm afraid although I echo what others have said about a playmate and a chain - the chain worked for my friend's youngster although he was 3. Just wanted to say glad Ron is finally feeling better! It must be better putting up with a naughty youngster than having a poorly one :)
 
I would do some in-hand work to establish leadership before he goes to his paddock - so put the headcollar on and do a bit of pushing back, and yielding to the pressure of the halter. Make him step back away from you as you enter his space, and yield to you as you apply gentle pressure to the halter. Let him realise you are boss!

Also in Germany while dealing with BIG stallions, we were taught to keep one hand near the eye - if the horse got too leary - you kind of gently put your hand at its eye and pushed away! The horse usually moves away as it thinks it's hit something!

And please lead in hard hat and gloves!!
 
Glad Ron is feeling better if a bit TO WELL!! This is not a critisium but why are you keeping him a stallion? It is going to make it much harder for you in the future, have you big plans for him otherwise i would have him gelded.
Hopefully he will remember his laid back nature soon, my filly is full of it at the moment but has a sweet pony to play with.
 
Well there is no set plan but as long as he's getting good gradings and showing potential I will keep him attire, unless of course he becomes completely too much to handle!!

Just taking it as it comes tbh! Apart from minor turnout issues due to field attachments etc there has been no major problems.
 
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