Are 'teenage years' avoidable?

M

Mylife

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 July 2014
Messages
154
Visit site
I have recently become interested in finding out whether a young horses 'teenage years' are avoidable based on their upbringing?

Does the breaking age make a difference?

Does desensiting at younger/older ages make a difference?

Has anyone tried something about their horses upbringing and found it has helped eliminate this stage?

I know this May come to nothing and that all horses are different, but I'm curious as to whether their are any factors in particular that can help avoid or that encourage this stage...

I am particularly interested in welsh D stories as that is the youngster I am getting, but I understand you cannot pin a bizarre question like this down too a breed

Any ideas or is it purely dependant on the individual horse? Or can I better prepare my filly/work her training in a particular way that might mean she will have a smaller chance of teenage strops?
 
I think you can pretty safely say that the teenage years are affected greatly by the quality of the rider who has brought the horse on.

Often horses are sold on to not so suitable riders before the horse is mature and consolidated enough in its schooling.
 
Would you say lots of desensitising, and plenty of help from experienced friends and an instructor is a plan for bringing on a young horse? I want to bring on a young horse for myself as I'm fed up of having other peoples problem horses, iv worked out finances and have plenty of people willing to help and an experienced friend willing to ride for free should I have any problems.

I just want to bring her on to the best that she can possibly be hence all the questions, HOHF has been a brilliant site for me!
 
My boy is now 5 and wasn't cut until he was 4 and hasn't had 'teenage years' yet. He has been a positive delight. My mare is now 6 and has not put a foot wrong yet - I'm waiting for it but she taught a 5 and 7 year old to ride when she was only 5 herself. Mine are loved to within an inch of their lives but aren't allowed to get away with anything. They are also out as much as possible just being horses so when they do come in I expect them to behave - and they do :)
 
I always break (which is a horrible term that I hate!) my horses to both ride and drive.
I find that they need the mental stimulation and opportunity to please you, but sometimes they need a lateral move when they're having a bit of a mental block. I also like being able to drive a youngster on the non traffic side of a cart to start them out on road safety and steadiness. I find the procedures of putting to, standing, patience etc that harness teaches helps with ground work respect. In terms of maturation I think steady road work without weight bearing helps build balanced musculature and long term soundness. And a horse that is working tends to be happy if that's what he was bred to do.
I notice they're having an unco-ordinated time physically (when they go ugly and gangly) I do harness rather than riding. Sometimes it seems they're less in control of their limbs for a few weeks? I don't push schooling work when this is the case. I think there is a bit of a link between gawky body/ pushing handling boundaries/ lack of coordination. They always seem to coincide.
Most of mine are broken to the basics under saddle at 4, then starting lateral work from 5/6. Extension and truly correct outline can happen anytime between then but I don't sweat it, they develop it in time.
I do have a really slow maturing type though (PSL crosses) I'd say they are immature until about 9 or 10 although they can do splendid work before then. They are very long lived though.
However, I don't have to produce horses to a schedule. Sorry if this reads poorly, stupid tiny text slot.
 
And! sorry, but gelding would have an effect on rate and period of maturation. Due to close of growth plates etc. Not relevant in your case though I think?
 
I have never experienced the teenage years with my youngsters tbh - they are either lovely or horrible!

Consistency is the key, never be afraid to ask for help, but consider any advice before implementing it :)
 
I don't think "teenage" phases have to include terrible behaviour etc.
In my experience, it can escalate to bad behaviour, but I just think of the teenage phase as when the horse tests the boundaries. Very much like a real teen, you say go, they say no - why should I!? Kind of thing, as opposed to random naughtiness for no reason.

So if you are firm and fair with your boundaries, I think it's fair to say your horse is unlikely to escalate from testing to full blown bad behaviour. If you don't put and emphasize boundaries correctly however, this is when you tend to get issues.
 
FlyingCircus said:
I don't think "teenage" phases have to include terrible behaviour etc.
In my experience, it can escalate to bad behaviour, but I just think of the teenage phase as when the horse tests the boundaries. Very much like a real teen, you say go, they say no - why should I!? Kind of thing, as opposed to random naughtiness for no reason.

So if you are firm and fair with your boundaries, I think it's fair to say your horse is unlikely to escalate from testing to full blown bad behaviour. If you don't put and emphasize boundaries correctly however, this is when you tend to get issues.
Click to expand...

This^^^
I think all horses find a stage where they ask questions - how they interpret the answer; i.e; with a tantrum, or just with a smile, depends on the horses character and the handlers skills.
 
Well, I must be really unlucky, or rubbish, because my tb turned into a right Kevin when he got to 5yrs.
I all fairness I got him from a riding school as a 4 yr old ( he was there from 3 to 4 yrs ) and I couldnt' do very much at all for pretty much the first year due to soundness issues, so I guess he didn't have the ideal ridden background.
He does have a very kind nature though, and I think that stopped him being too nasty, he just had bloody big tantrums about things.
Kx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top