At what age does a horse pass the teenage tantrum phase??

Bernster

Bernster

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Posting this having seen a few threads about 'young' horses and how they go through a bit of a teenage phase and need time to settle/mature etc.

I know some horses can go through this at any age, and maybe some horses never grow out of this but, as a rule, what age range are you thinking of when you think horses do have a little 'bump' in the road? e.g. fine when initially backed/ridden but have a phase when they really test you or become outright monsters.

I know of a few people who had this at age 4/5 but it seemed to pass by the time the horse turned 6.

I'm looking to buy a 6yo at the moment and hoping she's already done the hoodlum phase !!
 
My boy is 6 at the end of July, and he is definitely not out of that phase yet! It didn't start til around this time last year though, so he might be a late developer!
 
I was always told 7 onwards...I wouldn't mind a 6yo tho...at least you would be on the final stretch if he/she is still being a pickle!
 
My mares was at around 5 or 6, lasted 1 yr. Friends warmblood was at 5 lasted till 8! Another friends warmblood lasted from 5 to 7, and I have the joy of all this to come with my 3 year old warmblood!! lol!!!
 
Bernster said:
Posting this having seen a few threads about 'young' horses and how they go through a bit of a teenage phase and need time to settle/mature etc.
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Well, I don't really BELIEVE this - and I've had a few of my home-breds through to 6 or 7. There is always a reason for the so-called 'Kevins'! Maybe the backing wasn't done as well as it should have been, maybe the next stage of the ridden career was rushed, maybe management along the way (too much time off, too much food etc.) sets off a problem. There's usually a reason - and it's rarely the horse!!
 
I have a 5yr DWBX and he is as good as gold and has been since I bought him at just turned 4, we have had maybe 2 mis-communications ;) but in general has been very easy to do - maybe I shouldn't speak too soon...
 
Basicaly by the time they are 2/3 and are starting to understand what they are asked to do, but usualy it's when the hormones start kicking in first time.
 
I agree with Janet on this one. My 2 irish draughts never went through the terrible 2's or teenage tantrums. They had the same even temperaments from foal to death. The one got grumpy in his twenties and liked to threaten to bite, never did, but he got very pleased if he thought he frightened anyone.

My Welsh D didn't have tantrums either but remained as mad as a box of frogs, excitable as hell and bounced through a 29 year life with me.
 
I've always been told 7. Sometimes even 8 depending on what has been done. I sometimes notice they last longer, the more they're rushed, so a lot of it stems from confusion and lack of understanding. But otherwise, I would say about 6 if they are going through a selective 'phase' :)
 
Mine is coming 7 and is still very much like a teenager/small child. He is an ISH with some strong-willed bloodlines. I also don't think he was backed until he was nearly 5 and then I'm not sure he was asked to "work" like I'm asking him to. So it's possible his teenage years are later and lengthier than others!

Whether it's ground manners or under saddle I just stay calm and push him through whatever the issue is and he has improved greatly since the winter. You'll get through it for sure!
 
Oh yeah and I'm super careful on his food. He was accidentally getting more than he should of and that could have caused part of the really bad stuff.

If you are buying a new horse though, there is always going to be the "getting to know you phase". I guess the question is how much do you like the horse for what you want to do? And are you willing to put up with a bit of teenage crap if she hasn't gone through it yet?
 
The wife's mare is 18 and has a tile or too missing from the roof . She was going nuts yesterday whilst our 10 year old chestnut mare just stood and watched her. Hope she never grows up!
 
ha mines just turned 7 hes been a dream but he is trying it on a bit now, ive takent things really slow with him, hes not nasty at all, he just decides that he dosnt realy want to do what i ask if he chooses not to, cant be bothered attitude, bit like my 13 year old daughter.. :-/ but we have little discissions and he gives in pretty quickly and decides that its far easier to do what is asked of him.... lol
 
EEk ! I'm wondering if my next post will be - help, my new horse is a nutcase, or have I made a huge mistake? type post !!

What Janet said made me think though, because at the 4 to 6 yo bracket they probably are going through huge changes if they are getting into ridden work and might also be moved to their first new home after dealer/breeder, so could well explain some teenage issues?

Let's just say I am expecting some 'interesting times' when I get the new girl back to my yard so expect more posts asking for help settling in a newbie :) but I know her history, she seems to have been well produced and educated and isn't green, as she has been out and about a bit. Am hoping all that will be enough to get us through the early stages, without denting my confidence too much!!

Fortune favours the brave as they say...!
 
My friends horse is 5yo, absolutely AMAZING out hacking but a total nightmare in the school...she was told teenage tantrums...but actually she thinks (and we agree) it was more to do with how her mare was started and a saddle nightmare!

I honestly believe that her horse would be amazing in the school otherwise...call my naive, I think most youngsters have testing phases but some are just amazing!

Have you got pics yet? when do you pick her up?
 
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