Baby horse had a strop... Did I do right?

Could someone let me know how I set him up to fail?
Im not being funny, I'm genuinely asking out of curiosity, so as maybe not to fail him in future.
From my point of view, he was carrying out an exercise he had done numerous times before. He had a bath, and before turning him back out, I wanted him to be dry before he came back in twice as dirty as before his bath. I had two options. Leave him to air on the yard... Bored or let him graze in hand whilst drying off.
I honestly don't believe I asked too much of him, given that in 6 months time he could potentially be starting his ridden career (although out of choice he won't be started until next summer) sure this was just a basic manners issue rather than completly blowing his brains by letting him eat grass ?
 
I too feel that this must be the reason for so many badly behaved horses mine have to do as they are told from day one within reason. Foals are expected to lead, load, stand next to mum anywhere without making a fuss. All right I agree that foals are babies but they can be big strong babies and need manners
"Manners maketh man and beast"
I love the fact I can walk mine anywhere I want to even along a busy road on a long loose lead. People comment on how easy they are to handle and how well mannered they are. This is a breed that is often described as bargy
They are started to lead at three days old on a foal slip and are asked to walk sensibly from then on in all for less than five minutes going in and out of their stables by the time they are out 24/7 they are easy to lead and then only get caught for the farrier every 6 weeks and the vet They still lead really easily we also do a couple of shows with mum one on their own when weaned a couple as yearlings a few more as 2 year olds and then about half a dozen or so at 3
 
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I don't think you did set him up to fail imo. It is so important for horses to have manners (from a very early age) and if he was striking out at you then, at this time, his manners failed him. It happens when they are young and should be dealt with, doesn't matter if he was in his field or not. There is nothing worse than a horse gone sour that doesn't know his boundaries and is unhappier for it. I wouldn't have tried join-up because I've never done it, but I would have done what others have suggested, ie some groundwork just to reinforce your position. The only other thing I would suggest (and you might have already), but I would use a long lead rope. If they decide to take off you can plant and brace yourself. They usually bring themselves around looking pretty bemused because it's self-inflicted. Usually, they find out it's not worth the effort. He's not such a baby at two and a half and it sounds as though you are doing a pretty good job with him. :)
 
You did no wrong, you expected manners. Manners are something that should be taught from an early age otherwise you end up with a bolshy horse. I have youngsters, they are expected to behave, there is nothing wrong with that. Better to be taught at an early age as part of the growing up process.
 
AMW said:
You did no wrong, you expected manners. Manners are something that should be taught from an early age otherwise you end up with a bolshy horse. I have youngsters, they are expected to behave, there is nothing wrong with that. Better to be taught at an early age as part of the growing up process.
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Absolutely! How they are taught is important too though.
 
You didn't set him up to fail. All you did wrong was not to be ready for him when he did fail (his own self control failed), and you will be next time. Its really not the end of the world, and you've sorted him out and know to be on your guard in the future.
 
Mizelz...I do not think anyone is saying it is ok to have an undisciplined horse.. I am out of this discussion now but I have horses of all ages, including s four year old stallion I bred who is the best mannered horse on the yard. People are different, but it doesn't help any discussion to purposely misinterpret what people are trying to say.
 
FfionWinnie said:
You didn't set him up to fail. All you did wrong was not to be ready for him when he did fail (his own self control failed), and you will be next time. Its really not the end of the world, and you've sorted him out and know to be on your guard in the future.
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This is very true. Op perhaps next time if you do want to graze him in hand in the field, consider popping a bridle on him to do this and having a schooling whip in hand, and a hat. that way you have much more control over the situation 'should' he get impatient.
 
Queenbee said:
This is very true. Op perhaps next time if you do want to graze him in hand in the field, consider popping a bridle on him to do this and having a schooling whip in hand, and a hat. that way you have much more control over the situation 'should' he get impatient.
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In fact I would actually "set him up to fail" in the exact same situation as the other day but have the things QB mentioned in place, pretend you aren't paying attention, but actually be ready for a repeat and nip it in the bud right away.
 
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FfionWinnie said:
In fact I wold actually "set him up to fail" in the exact same situation as the other day but have the things QB mentioned in place, pretend you aren't paying attention, but actually be ready for a repeat and nip it in the bud right away.
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This ^^

As with people, he will learn from his mistake and practice makes perfect!

OP I still don't believe that you did anything wrong and am quite shocked by some of the replies on this thread...
 
Good idea guys! I have the dentist booked for next week to check his mouth before I start bitting him. Once he's comfortable I'll give it a go.
 
For what it's worth I turned myself inside out trying to make sure my bratty one didn't have an excuse to kick off.
It didn't work, he just did it any way over something so trivial it was stupid.
I think I bored him with all the careful careful treatment.
I don't think you set him up to fail.
 
I never allow my horses/ponies to graze with a bit in it is a big no no as it can encourage them to try and snatch grass when being ridden. Mine know the rules a bit means no ducking of heads Probably best not to mess with a young horses mouth anyway. Sick of seeing two and three year old colts slapped and jabbed in the mouth at show in an attempt to make them behave. Mind you mine are ponies and are sometimes ridden by kids so I guess it is more important than ever not to encourage grazing in a bit
 
The pawing was probably because he wanted to roll don't you think?? Most horses are desperate to roll after a bath.Next time let him roll before you ask him to stand still,simplez.

Really not sure what the big deal is here TBH,suspect your horse has forgotten it already;)

He did something you thought was out of order,you ticked him off.Right or wrong in your assumption as to what he was doing,doubt your response has traumatised him,forget it and move on!!
 
Fleabite said:
'Kicking myself for setting him up for a fail?'

blimey...
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^^ This!!

I'm another one who's shocked by how low some of these expectations are. Allowing a horse to graze in hand after a bath is hardly setting them up to fail? You'd probably be horrified at the situations I put my youngsters in, in that case :confused:
 
ShadowFlame said:
^^ This!!

I'm another one who's shocked by how low some of these expectations are. Allowing a horse to graze in hand after a bath is hardly setting them up to fail? You'd probably be horrified at the situations I put my youngsters in, in that case :confused:
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:D Me too - I'm a crazy Mum. I have my ten 2yos in a huge field 3 miles down the road (as I have far too many horses!) I check them every day, throw a few pasture nuts at them - and that's it. UNTIL I need to get their feet trimmed - or whatever. Last time was a couple of weeks ago and we started 'preparing' a few days in advance by rigging an electric tape 'corral' in the corner of the field and feeding their handfuls of nuts in there. On the day, we got down there 15 minutes before the farriers were due and started catching them (now THAT was interesting with a couple of them!) And they ruddy well had to stand and behave. One or two played up - they got smacked! So they behaved!

Young horses are - IMHO - often OVER-handled! I certainly don't have time for that. Mine get intensively handled in their first week of life - then occasionally when we bring mares in for scanning/teasing/covering. They get another bit of intensive handling at weaning. Then they're turned out - to live like young horses. They get handled when they NEED to be handled - they don't forget manners learned earlier because they're reminded! Too much handling - if not done 100% correctly - just encourages thm to be over-familiar with people - and there is not enough 'respect'.
 
Janet so well said. There seems to be a lot of over complication and too much thinking in this thread. My favorite saying with horses is KISS. Keep it simple stupid. Yes I say it to myself. Over thinking leads to questions in the mind which leads to mixed signals to the horse. And as far as how a mother disciplines with her babies, it's very matter of fact. It's not well that's wrong lets have a time out and you will run circles around me for 15 mins while I show who's boss. More of the get a warning with body language and looks. Some may give 2 warnings. My mare gives one. Next is a good ole kick or bite. She doesn't think about it. And then it's business as normal. No grudges. These are the rules. Follow or deal with the repercussions. All of it is matter of fact.

Terri
 
Keep it simple - YES!! No fretting about whether the horse thinks it is winning or is higher than you in some imagined herd hierarchy or is harbouring disrespectful thoughts towards humans. Just deal with the behaviour when it happens and move on. Do that consistently in day to day handling and the appropriate boundaries will be learned and heeded.

Equilibrium Ireland said:
And as far as how a mother disciplines with her babies, it's very matter of fact. It's not well that's wrong lets have a time out and you will run circles around me for 15 mins while I show who's boss. More of the get a warning with body language and looks. Some may give 2 warnings. My mare gives one. Next is a good ole kick or bite. She doesn't think about it. And then it's business as normal. No grudges. These are the rules. Follow or deal with the repercussions. All of it is matter of fact.
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Exactly!
 
JanetGeorge said:
:D Me too - I'm a crazy Mum. I have my ten 2yos in a huge field 3 miles down the road (as I have far too many horses!) I check them every day, throw a few pasture nuts at them - and that's it. UNTIL I need to get their feet trimmed - or whatever. Last time was a couple of weeks ago and we started 'preparing' a few days in advance by rigging an electric tape 'corral' in the corner of the field and feeding their handfuls of nuts in there. On the day, we got down there 15 minutes before the farriers were due and started catching them (now THAT was interesting with a couple of them!) And they ruddy well had to stand and behave. One or two played up - they got smacked! So they behaved!

Young horses are - IMHO - often OVER-handled! I certainly don't have time for that. Mine get intensively handled in their first week of life - then occasionally when we bring mares in for scanning/teasing/covering. They get another bit of intensive handling at weaning. Then they're turned out - to live like young horses. They get handled when they NEED to be handled - they don't forget manners learned earlier because they're reminded! Too much handling - if not done 100% correctly - just encourages thm to be over-familiar with people - and there is not enough 'respect'.
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Oh, you are SOOOO right. Here speaks the voice of reason, and experience, NOT the voice of fuzzy theories and half-read books.
 
Completely agree with JanetGeorge, that's what we do with our youngsters, it always amazes me some people are just continuously fussing with their foals/yearlings etc and then wonder why when they turn sour or take the piss, especially in summer when they want to eat, play and enjoy being a baby!! I think you can certainly over handle a youngster - I saw someone remark somewhere on a forum they were going to start long lining their yearling - WTF? - a yearling doesn't even have the concentration span for that and why on earth would you do it, someone else was sticking a huge badly fitting saddle on theirs and walking it around, what does that teach a youngster? Why can't folk leave babies to be babies - you don't send a 3yr old child off to an office for an hour or more and expect it to behave and then tell it off when it doesn't as what does that teach it - 10 mins tops for hoof trimming etc with a baby horse is about as much as they can handle without starting to faff and then you're teaching them bad habits?!!!:rolleyes:
 
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