Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
I really hope so, but I'm inclined to think theres at least a grain of truth in it. I've seen it far too often before sadly.
Advice please on a nippy yearling.
- Thread starter Pandii
- Start date
I really hope so, but I'm inclined to think theres at least a grain of truth in it. I've seen it far too often before sadly.
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
My apologies as I mustn't have been around when you came to measure her. You should have come earlier when the vet came out with the stick.
And you could have held the stick!
And you know what, I may have even took a photo of yourself and my baby.
So your vet came out and measured your horse with a measuring stick, and never once mentioned that you probably have major soundness problems heading your way? ok.
FestiveFuzz
Well-Known Member
I have a rising 2yo who I’ve owned since he was 7 months old. He was affectionately known as baby spice during his first 18 months, and is now equally affectionately known as weed due to the rate he’s growing ??
From the moment he stepped off the transporter I’ve tried to be consistent with him and set him up for success. When I got him used to his legs being handled I didn’t cuddle or hang off them, instead I ran my hand down the back of his leg as I would with any horse I was wanting to pick up it’s leg. Essentially setting him up for what I would expect from him as an adult. Of course we also worked on desensitising through touch, but again these were thoughtful approaches with purpose such as getting him used to grooming or a rug, rather than over-handling and cuddling just because.
The same goes for boundaries. I’m firm but fair when it comes to personal space and will always ask first with a subtle aid, only getting firmer if he chooses to ignore me or becomes bolshy. To be honest I think he appreciates this black and white approach as he knows the rules and whilst he’ll sometimes try his luck (as all babies do) I rarely have to come down too hard on him as I’m always subtly correcting any unwanted behaviour anyway so he knows what’s expected of him.
Obviously this stuff doesn’t happen overnight, but I’ve found by being mindful of the situations I put him and myself into (and not taking silly risks) I can set him up for success rather than failure.
From the moment he stepped off the transporter I’ve tried to be consistent with him and set him up for success. When I got him used to his legs being handled I didn’t cuddle or hang off them, instead I ran my hand down the back of his leg as I would with any horse I was wanting to pick up it’s leg. Essentially setting him up for what I would expect from him as an adult. Of course we also worked on desensitising through touch, but again these were thoughtful approaches with purpose such as getting him used to grooming or a rug, rather than over-handling and cuddling just because.
The same goes for boundaries. I’m firm but fair when it comes to personal space and will always ask first with a subtle aid, only getting firmer if he chooses to ignore me or becomes bolshy. To be honest I think he appreciates this black and white approach as he knows the rules and whilst he’ll sometimes try his luck (as all babies do) I rarely have to come down too hard on him as I’m always subtly correcting any unwanted behaviour anyway so he knows what’s expected of him.
Obviously this stuff doesn’t happen overnight, but I’ve found by being mindful of the situations I put him and myself into (and not taking silly risks) I can set him up for success rather than failure.
Leandy
Well-Known Member
I suspect some of the terminology here is that English is not the OP's first language!
Having said that, I agree with the others here. You need to put in place clear boundaries, you need to be very clear and you need to be firm but fair to maintain them. If you bought a little handled youngster in September then I agree you should be instilling manners slowly but surely, but you should have them instilled by now so maybe you are going too slowly? You should be able to lead her, groom her and pick out and trim her feet by now. Can you do those things? It seems she is not frightened of you, which is good. As for allowing her to wander about and pester you and others. I suspect she is wanting to play. Does she have turn out and the opportunity to do this at present? If not, you need to allow her to have company and a space to play for at least a few hours a day if she is otherwise stabled. But overall, this is a big young horse who is nipping (biting now??). Don't put yourself in a position where this can happen! It is not safe. She needs to clearly know that she is a horse and you are a human. You are not her equal to be pestered and played with! She needs to give you space and respect. Please be absolutely consistent in putting those boundaries in place and you will have a well mannered young horse. Fail to do that and you will have have a bolshy, dangerours one which may hurt you and others. The "bond" stuff, by the way, is fanciful nonsense.
Having said that, I agree with the others here. You need to put in place clear boundaries, you need to be very clear and you need to be firm but fair to maintain them. If you bought a little handled youngster in September then I agree you should be instilling manners slowly but surely, but you should have them instilled by now so maybe you are going too slowly? You should be able to lead her, groom her and pick out and trim her feet by now. Can you do those things? It seems she is not frightened of you, which is good. As for allowing her to wander about and pester you and others. I suspect she is wanting to play. Does she have turn out and the opportunity to do this at present? If not, you need to allow her to have company and a space to play for at least a few hours a day if she is otherwise stabled. But overall, this is a big young horse who is nipping (biting now??). Don't put yourself in a position where this can happen! It is not safe. She needs to clearly know that she is a horse and you are a human. You are not her equal to be pestered and played with! She needs to give you space and respect. Please be absolutely consistent in putting those boundaries in place and you will have a well mannered young horse. Fail to do that and you will have have a bolshy, dangerours one which may hurt you and others. The "bond" stuff, by the way, is fanciful nonsense.