Aggressive yearling

[Nasicus]

Just chipping in to emphasize the good that chucking a youngster out in an appropriate herd can do. My last one ended up needing 3 months of box rest following cutting her hind leg open. She was VILE by the end of it. 100% done with people fussing and fiddling with her. Lobbed her out in the yards mixed age grass livery herd (nearest youngstock livery was Newton, yikes!) in a massive field, kept the checks to minimum for a few months and she came back refreshed and ready to re-engage.

 

[[153312]]

Just chipping in to emphasize the good that chucking a youngster out in an appropriate herd can do. My last one ended up needing 3 months of box rest following cutting her hind leg open. She was VILE by the end of it. 100% done with people fussing and fiddling with her. Lobbed her out in the yards mixed age grass livery herd (nearest youngstock livery was Newton, yikes!) in a massive field, kept the checks to minimum for a few months and she came back refreshed and ready to re-engage.

Be careful mentioning that name?

 

[Nasicus]

Be careful mentioning that name?

Haha, well I felt I needed to justify why she didn't go to a youngstock livery

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

When mine had a small bout of being a thug he just got chased out of my space, loudly (usually me roaring and waving my arms) and by any means necessary including a skelp or two with a lead rope. He wasnt allowed to approach me either until I decided he was. He didn’t like it but it stopped the thuggish behaviour, he realised trying to bully me wasn’t going to work.

Horses bite and kick each other and chase each other away, that involves being struck, I do not condone tying a horse up and beating it but a well timed smack with the end of a leadrope or a flick with a schooling stick to move them away isn’t exactly traumatic for them, it’s worked with all of my horses as they know when I raise my voice they are in bother and stop what they are doing. It’s all about picking a method and being consistent with it.

 

[Apizz2019]

Thi of many reasons I hate seeing clueless people purchase youngsters and keep them on a livery yard which does not cater for their needs, as in herd turnout and/or turnout with a suitable field buddy.

I’m not sure what to do without getting booted but this behaviour has to stop. Nothing seems to phase her and it doesn’t hurt her when she gets a smack she’s just not bothered at all. I don’t want to have to get rid of her but she’s genuinely dangerous and I need to nip it in the bud before she gets any bigger.
Help ??

I think you're very brave and applaud you for recognising you have an issue.

None of us know everything there is to know, we're all learning and horses have a wonderful way of making us question everything we do know!

You have been given some very credible advice and must take it, if you want to have a well adjusted horse that you can enjoy, and not another, of many many horses, that are dangerous to anyone and everyone.

I echo what others have said, in that this behaviour is down to the way your horse has been handled and the lack of herd education, which is an absolute must with all youngsters, imo.

I cringe when people buy youngsters, post weaning, and keep them on a livery yard which is wholly unsuitable and doesn't meet their needs. That cute baby won't be so cute in a few months time when it's a half ton monster with no boundaries. It's a recipe for disaster.

If I were you, I'd find a youngster herd livery and turn away for as long as possible. I know this isn't ideal for you but you'd be surprised at the difference it will make.

Good luck!

 

[Boy Tom]

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[Regandal]

Thi of many reasons I hate seeing clueless people purchase youngsters and keep them on a livery yard which does not cater for their needs, as in herd turnout and/or turnout with a suitable field buddy.


I think you're very brave and applaud you for recognising you have an issue.

None of us know everything there is to know, we're all learning and horses have a wonderful way of making us question everything we do know!

You have been given some very credible advice and must take it, if you want to have a well adjusted horse that you can enjoy, and not another, of many many horses, that are dangerous to anyone and everyone.

I echo what others have said, in that this behaviour is down to the way your horse has been handled and the lack of herd education, which is an absolute must with all youngsters, imo.

I cringe when people buy youngsters, post weaning, and keep them on a livery yard which is wholly unsuitable and doesn't meet their needs. That cute baby won't be so cute in a few months time when it's a half ton monster with no boundaries. It's a recipe for disaster.

If I were you, I'd find a youngster herd livery and turn away for as long as possible. I know this isn't ideal for you but you'd be surprised at the difference it will make.

Good luck!

I think the op keeps her horses at home, and the youngster was a BOGOF. Not bought.

 

[[153312]]

I think the op keeps her horses at home, and the youngster was a BOGOF. Not bought.

What makes you think it was a BOGOF?

 

[Meg_99]

Yes, didn’t know mum was pregnant when she came and we only have room for 2 so it was one or the other. Mum was a very unhandled 10 y/o whom was being nasty to my other girl so we kept the baby

 

[Regandal]

I didn’t buy her as I admit I don’t have any experience handling babies. We bought her mum from a friend and nobody knew she was pregnant.

OP earlier in thread.

 

[[153312]]

Ah, sorry and thanks both for the clarification!

 

[Apizz2019]

I think the op keeps her horses at home, and the youngster was a BOGOF. Not bought.

Yes, I saw that on the post but I was just saying that imo, youngster livery somewhere, even if too far to see daily as they would like to (I'm assuming), is the best bet to get some form of normality in this horse.

 

[Lois Lame]

with humans she has to learn to move away from you , not turn her arse towards you, when a horse does that to me i turn and stamp my foot at it, they normally near fall over with shock, its the way i do it and sure it wont work for you, so dont try it, but i`ve been round so many unhandled horses i`ve developed ways of telling them what they need to know

what i`m trying to say is you need to be dominate, in a nice way, i often laugh at them cause they loo so shocked, yet within a short time come round to being happy and settled, but i take no shxte, and believe me i`ve been offered some.

I love this. It made me smile.

A boss/an owner who is a benevolent leader makes me want to please him or her. I've had ONE boss like this. Only one in my entire life. I would have done anything for him. (I mean almost anything.)

OP I understand your frustration with us, I really do, but we want to keep you and your yearling safe.

 

[Lois Lame]

Horses bite and kick each other and chase each other away, that involves being struck, I do not condone tying a horse up and beating it but a well timed smack with the end of a leadrope or a flick with a schooling stick to move them away isn’t exactly traumatic for them, it’s worked with all of my horses as they know when I raise my voice they are in bother and stop what they are doing. It’s all about picking a method and being consistent with it.

But one has to be careful saying this is okay. I don't know if the OP would deliver it properly. At the very least it has to be done with self control, not in temper.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Garry Bosworth , Patrick Gracey, Joanna Lowes, Barry Thomas, Adam Goodfellow &Nicole Golding.
Depending on where you are in the country, I'd urge you to contact them for help. Or failing that , sell the filly to someone experienced.
Happy to provide contact details .

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

But one has to be careful saying this is okay. I don't know if the OP would deliver it properly. At the very least it has to be done with self control, not in temper.

How the Op uses it unfortunately is up to the OP. I cannot dictate that however sharing my experience, method and views I shouldn’t need to be careful about.

 

[Meg_99]

OP I understand your frustration with us, I really do, but we want to keep you and your yearling safe.

I appreciate all the advice everyone has given me, I do. What was irritating is that some people (and I in no way mean you) were telling me I’m an idiot and that I’m doing it all wrong… so yes I am a bit frustrated about that, not sure why it was necessary. I know I’m doing it all wrong, that’s why I asked for advice? But I would like to reiterate seen as I’ve come across ungrateful that I am thankful for all advice given

 

[Lois Lame]

Actually, that is how I read that post of yours. I think others thought you were being sarcastic.

 

[Lurfy]

I am sorry you are in this position OP, It must be extremely stressful. If I were in this position with a BOGOF foal and limited funds. I would sell the foal to someone experienced and start again with finding a good suitable companion for your mare. I mean no insults to you. Many horse people, myself included, would be out of their depth with raising a foal.

 

[cauda equina]

Years ago I ended up with a BOGOF and gave him to the person I bought the mare from.
I didn't have the space or facilities for him, and they had contacts who ran a stud so that was where he went.

You didn't choose this youngster - I doubt if anyone would buy a yearling to be a companion to a veteran - and she's not doing a job for you.
I'd move her on, and get what you and your mare need.
Good luck with whatever you decide

 

[J&S]

This is an interesting, but rather sad, post to me: some friends locally went to the Chagford sales to buy some filly foals to turn out in their valley. However, prices this year precluded this and they came home with two colts, yearlings +, who did not get sold last year because of cancelled sale due to Covid. Like chalk and cheese. One is totally receptive to treatment, now can be lead around, lifts feet, moves over etc. The other is in their words, wild as hell and very aggresive. Reading this post makes me think that the uncoperative one has perhaps previously had an attempt to gentle him but was able to bully his handlers and get away with it.
OP, I do hope you can get appropriate help to turn your youngster round for your sake and for his future.

 

[Meg_99]

This is an interesting, but rather sad, post to me: some friends locally went to the Chagford sales to buy some filly foals to turn out in their valley. However, prices this year precluded this and they came home with two colts, yearlings +, who did not get sold last year because of cancelled sale due to Covid. Like chalk and cheese. One is totally receptive to treatment, now can be lead around, lifts feet, moves over etc. The other is in their words, wild as hell and very aggresive. Reading this post makes me think that the uncoperative one has perhaps previously had an attempt to gentle him but was able to bully his handlers and get away with it.
OP, I do hope you can get appropriate help to turn your youngster round for your sake and for his future.

I may have given the wrong impression about my filly, she’s not completely crackers. She’s halter trained and picks up all four feet and loves going for walks down the road. It’s just when asked to move out of my space she throws a strop. She only wants to do things she likes and throws a right royal strop when she doesn’t want to do something. She’s actually really receptive to training and she’s already learned the ‘back’ voice command since posting this.

 

[Meg_99]

Actually, that is how I read that post of yours. I think others thought you were being sarcastic.

I guess it’s hard to convey emotions online.

 

[Xmasha]

you've had a fair bit of advice now OP. So im curious , what are you intending to do to help this filly ?

 

[Meg_99]

you've had a fair bit of advice now OP. So im curious , what are you intending to do to help this filly ?

Well I’ve got many options havent I so I’ll just go through them like a list. I’ve already started teaching her manners and will get a professional in to show me how it’s done priperly. She’s already showing willingness to learn and the professional I have asked has said all babies test the boundaries and that she should grow out of it as long as I’m firm so I will probably give her a chance until next year at least. Failing that I will have to sell her as a last resort as sending her away would put me in a bit of a sticky situation where I don’t want to get another one for when she comes back and have to sell the one I bought to fill her place as I don’t think it would be fair on the temporary pony to be passed about. Unless I can find somewhere to put the both of them as the older girl is sweet as they come

 

[cauda equina]

If there's a charity near you, you could look at loaning a companion which could then be returned if you no longer needed it
Another advantage of getting one from a charity is that you'd know what you were getting - you could probably specify something older/more staid/lower down the pecking order or whatever suits your mare

 

[windand rain]

It sounds like she is badly spoilt in handling terms foals and yearlings don't need to walk out in hand they need to be taught to lead well have feet done and to respect your space. I wouldn't normally suggest further handling but I would personally get a proper halter on her for 10 minutes working on spacial awareness daily pressure release and backing out of your space all done with your body language and the halter you don't speak just correct unwanted behaviour and replace her in the same place until she stands there waiting for the next instruction. Not speaking shouting losing your temper and hitting out in frustration will teach both of you not to get wound up. Once she is happy to stand in her own space only handle her for the vet/farrier or other emergencies. Dont feed her while there are humans close by and keep a fence between you when you do ignoring her now apart from body language will improve things. Get a good trainer to teach you how to do it and it wont take long for you to be in control. Non verbal communication is essential with young horses which includes the "good girl" business no verbals at all. It will be much harder than you think to keep your mouth shut and your body moving

 

[Meg_99]

It sounds like she is badly spoilt in handling terms foals and yearlings don't need to walk out in hand they need to be taught to lead well have feet done and to respect your space. I wouldn't normally suggest further handling but I would personally get a proper halter on her for 10 minutes working on spacial awareness daily pressure release and backing out of your space all done with your body language and the halter you don't speak just correct unwanted behaviour and replace her in the same place until she stands there waiting for the next instruction. Not speaking shouting losing your temper and hitting out in frustration will teach both of you not to get wound up. Once she is happy to stand in her own space only handle her for the vet/farrier or other emergencies. Dont feed her while there are humans close by and keep a fence between you when you do ignoring her now apart from body language will improve things. Get a good trainer to teach you how to do it and it wont take long for you to be in control. Non verbal communication is essential with young horses which includes the "good girl" business no verbals at all. It will be much harder than you think to keep your mouth shut and your body moving

I have been doing this but I have been using verbal cues so I’ll just use my body language from now on thankyou. Also I was told to get her used to vehicles and roads early to give us the best chance as she will predominantly be a hacking horse, with the odd show here and there.

 

[Meg_99]

If there's a charity near you, you could look at loaning a companion which could then be returned if you no longer needed it
Another advantage of getting one from a charity is that you'd know what you were getting - you could probably specify something older/more staid/lower down the pecking order or whatever suits your mare

I’ll look into it thanks

 

[tristar]

i always spend time with youngsters, and hate the idea of turning away, i want them to be round people from the get go
i want my youngsters to understand a lot of words, and different tones, i think verbal communication may be underestimated, a kind word of praise, a sharp word to mean i mean it, full on what a good horse, and all the commands for l reining lunging, leading, i belive in getting out on the road and seeing as much as possible,

there are too many horses out there who lack education in the most basic way, and trust in humans and perhaps never learn to enjoy human company, in the things that make being with horses a joy, the way the eyes of a horse can shine in anticipation of a ride, the curious look of a youngster learning something new, you dont have to spoil it with handling just give them more credit for having a brain

out for a walk in the fields i take mine over logs through water, to watch all sorts of machinery, train and occupy the brain, and talk all the time to them, because they love it, when you come to backing you are 3 parts there and most of the dodgy bits are installed, and the magic ingredient of confidence makes it so much easier for them