Advice regarding youngster

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I have a 9month old colt foal who is normally a complete angel, however when applying fly spray to his belly he kicks out, if this were an adult horse then he would just get belted but is it right to reprimand a baby in such way? Also when hosing, is it just a case of doing it very often to get them used to it before they will settle down and relax?
 
We don't stand for any nonsence with the youngsters, so yes he probably would get belted (after all else failed, as in voice etc.)

Never put a nine month old under the hose - so can't help you there.....
 
A hose can be so frightening for a baby! It would be much better to GRADUALLY get him used to a sponge and water, just wiping him with it, not throwing it at him; once he has got used to and is happy with that then you could again, gradually introduce the hose, starting with his feet and only working upwards when he is happy with what you are doing; only have it on trickle, not full belt power or you'll be back where you started from.
As for fly spray, again it will be dangerous to him in his mind so it's sometimes best to just wipe it on for now. You can practise a spray with plain water (so you don't grumble at how much it is costing!) by holding it almost against the coat, not from a long way off as he'll be frightened by the sudden-ness, where did that come from? type thing. A lot of the time it is the hiss of the spray that frightens them, it sounds like a dangerous snake to them!
As in all things new to a baby, introduce it quietly and gently cos once you've started a battle, you'll have to win the war!
 
more you do something the lessof an ordeal it would become.
It is wa smy horse and all else had failed as Amy said.. i would give it a belting.
Some times it is all they need.. and as he is a cold.. he is probably heading for the arrogant teenagers stage lol

Lou x
 
Ahh, just re- read this. And should underline that we never 'spray' fly spray on babies or youngers, but apply it with a cloth. And then only to those that may be a bit sweetitchy....... Otherwise they are just left alone tbh. Flies bother us more than them.

And we don't hose for the very reasons that MFH_09 says. And also because when would there be a reason to put such a youngster under a hose pipe??? Even those that are shown are very rarely washed, and if they are always with a bucket and sponge, using warm water, and never soaked.
 
Ive only hosed up his legs as the little buggar jumped out the paddock into some yellow paint! As with fly sprayy fine everywhere else on his body, just has an issue with it under his belly.
 
I checked my colt the other day to see if his nuts were down as I'm hoping to get him cut soon (too hot now). he was'nt that keen and threatened to kick. I just talked to him touched him quickly told him he was good boy and left it at that. I don't tell him off cause it was natuel for him to be upset, just reasured him and gave him some other attention (scratch his ear and back which he loves) I'm not stricked with youngsters just firm, I never ever hit a youngster as they will be frightened. I use the voice (not shouting)
 
Inky is eleven months now and i started getting him used to water over the winter by washing his feet and legs after he had been in the field ( i know people dont recomend this for mud fever etc but it served a purpose! ) He moved around at first but soon got used to it. When i bath him for shows i started at the feet and worked up the body with warm water and bucket and sponge. He now just stands there munching his hay as i do it. I never use the pipe but he will let me pour the buckets over him. With regards the spray i use coat conditioner thats a spray. I got him used to that by holding the spray really close to his body so he couldnt really see it. then gradually moving it further away. I think if you start spraying from further away its the noise and what they can see that frightens them more than anything.
 
I always apply with a cloth as the spray can sometimes make a noise which can be scary....
I too dont take any nonsense but I always apply with the cloth as it seems to be easier to spread and is a bit less shocking then a cold spray..
 
It just took mine time, she still doesnt like her legs hosed but is happy for everything else! how weird!! and last year learnt to cope with spray as she got used to mane and tail stuff first cause she could hear it but not feel it!!!
 
A lot of horses hate being sprayed so you have to get them used to VERY GRADUALLY and some never like it all. Ditto hosing. Don't forget, the water from a hose is blooming cold - how would you like a cold shower and a hose looks very much like a snake to a horse. "Belting" him is NOT the answer. You need to do things very gradually and for short periods of time, gradually lengthening the time span. He might he genuinely scared and "belting" him is hardly sensible.
 
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