Bad behaviour in 2yr old....Help

[machannah]

My 2yr old seems to be going through a "bad" patch at the moment, very comfortable in his field with his friend, however today when bringing him in, he had an absolute fit, reared up, got away from me, bucked and i let go for fear of his back feet hitting my head. Managed to get hold of him again and get him in, being very very careful. Continued to "scream" for his friend the entire time he was in, and then whilst leading him back, reared again, and up came the back feet, i let go and off he went. Im not adverse to hanging on, but not liking the way he is getting away from me and then going with the back legs.... you know he is going to do it too, as he squeals just before he starts!

I could lead him in a bridle, but dont want to be pulling his mouth around if he decided to bugger off again, any suggestions on how to resolve this? He's getting a bit too big for his boots at the moment, and im contemplating sending him off to start his long reining etc in the autumn just so he has something to think about - is this a good idea? or best to leave him well alone till next year?

PS. Hes going to futurity on Tuesday and am now officially cacking it...plus he has rainscald and mudfever after the last few weeks rain - typical!

 

[jaffs]

If you haven't already done so, get a long lead rope round his nose when you lead him, it has to be long enough so he can go up and you can get out of the way. When he messes about you will find it much easier to hold him. Make sure it releases when he behaves. This is the time when schoolmasters looks attractive!!!!

 

[Touchwood]

Firstly you need to start leading him with a long enough rope that you can keep hold of him without getting hurt....letting them go is not a good thing to do!
If you don't feel confident handling him at this stage, then I would consider sending him away to have some manners installed...its such an important stage in their life and can make or break the way they turn out.

 

[joeanne]

my yearling was like this a while back. we took everything out the field before her, and when she realised she was on her todd she then decided she actually wanted to come in!
it only too a few days to break the behaviour, as she soon sussed everyone except her was getting dinner!

 

[Rocky01]

Have PM'd you.

 

[cruiseline]

Long lead rope with a chain over his nose, I also use an additional lead rope attached only to the head-collar, so when he is being good you can lead him around in the normal way.

Regular amounts of time away from his friends, that is the main problem you are facing now, separation anxiety. At 2 they are very attached to their buddies in the field and it is a little bit like children, they don't want to leave the play group. So time away and then back to his buddies, but always make sure you are safe and have enough length of rope/lunge line to be at a safe distance. Too many people are not around any more due to flailing hooves!!!!!!!

 

[machannah]

Thanks for all the advice, most appreciated. Yesterday I had the lunge line, and in the end it was over his nose, so glad to hear im doing the right things! Never quite sure how to go about it with them at that age, will persevere and keep seperating him from his buddy as much as he hates me for doing it!

When he actually calms down he is very relaxed!!

 

[birchave0]

Those natural horsemanship rope halters are very good, my two youngsters used to tank off with me, usually to and from the field. One sesson in one of those and bingo, no more tanking!

It has something to do with where the knot are positioned.
I also used one at the weekend on my neices pony when loading, as she normally goes up the ramp, spins and then unloads herself before you can blink we tried the halter. it worked

Not expensive either, think I paid about a fiver for one of mine off ebay

 

[jaffs]

Other things i forgot to mention......
Make sure you always wear gloves - unless you would to see what your hand is like underneath the skin

.
Tie a knot near the end of the long rope as it (1) tells you that you are running out of rope! and (2) gives you something to hang on to if they are getting away from you.
don't wrap the rope around your hand.
As Cruiseline mentioned so many people have had nasty accidents, you've only got one head...wear a hat!
Don't be worried about bringing in someone to show you how to handle him - He is only 2- they are the equivilant(sp?) of Kevin and Perry in human terms

still babies, they know everything yet know nothing...
P.S.
Good luck next week, let us know how the little angel behaves

 

[machannah]

Jaffs - dont worry, i learnt the hard way at 13/14 about not wearing gloves, it was not a pretty sight!! And if anyone else is reading this, i cannot reiterate this point enough, it bl00dy hurt!!

Didnt tie a knot yesterday but thats a great idea, i was so caught off balance i just couldnt keep my weight back to stop him tanking off with me on the end, so was easier to let go.

I will persevere, and if i feel im not getting anywhere will think again about tackling it at home. Just caught me so off guard yesterday!

 

[jaffs]

Foals are so cute.......this is when they become uncute

...but it's worth it....
There are huge numbers of people going through the same thing

 

[MrStevo]

the best thing you can buy is a parelli rope (not saying do parelli just use the rope!!)

I think its made from yachting rope but it is easy to hold onto and just clips onto the headcoller with a brass twist on /off clip, as soon as he realises he cant get away from you he will calm down.

its been a lifesaver for our last two youngsters.