behaviour problem

[vicky90]

Hello!
I have recently got a 3 yr old tb gelding ex racer, and having a few problems with his behaviour. At the moment hes only fed on alfa a and vit supplement as I am starting to back him slowly and generally his behaviour is fine, though hes very tetchy about picking up his back feet, and has a tendency to kick out if he gets annoyed/ irratated. He lives with another horse, but it has been sold and leaves in less than a month. As the new owner comes to see this other horse and the two of them are separated, my horse goes ballistic and starts kicking out, and finding im having to use feed to keep him quiet. Theyve grown really attached but there is another horse coming to keep him company, but is there any way i can stop them from getting too close ( this may sound mean, and i know its only natural with herd animals) but i want him to be confident to be able to do work alone.

 

[Berkeley]

My TB used to be like this. She suffered with awful separation anxiety.

The only thing that cured it was bringing her in on her own as part of a routine without the other horse near her. She would scream out for the other horse for ages afterwards but I ignored her. She would spin round her stable, not focus on anything. I put her in different fields with other horses quite often and get her used to being on her own. It worked but took months.

Don't pander to your youngster's cries, they will keep doing it if they know you'll come running. As for kicking out, this is not good behaviour - a crack with the whip on the leg and a stern 'NO!' a few times might help.

 

[Oberon]

It sounds like the 3yo is lacking in confidence and clinging to the other horse for comfort. When this relationship is threatened he acts out. Unless there is a pain issue (which I would not discount) it would also explain the reluctance to give up his hinds to you.

To alter the behaviour his confidence needs to be impoved and he needs to 'settle in'. Replace the other horse in your youngster's eyes by building your role in his life. Bring him in often on your days off work and do little bits with him. Engage his brain - he sounds clever.

But by all means, hit it with a stick if this seems like the better advice to you......

 

[Taffyhorse]

Have you had his back checked? I know this is an obvious question but my boy was/is funny behind (though snatches more than kicks) and this was down to him being sore in his back - he also had bad mud fever that hadn't been treated when i bought him.

 

[Mike007]

[ QUOTE ]
It sounds like the 3yo is lacking in confidence and clinging to the other horse for comfort. When this relationship is threatened he acts out. Unless there is a pain issue (which I would not discount) it would also explain the reluctance to give up his hinds to you.

To alter the behaviour his confidence needs to be impoved and he needs to 'settle in'. Replace the other horse in your youngster's eyes by building your role in his life. Bring him in often on your days off work and do little bits with him. Engage his brain - he sounds clever.

But by all means, hit it with a stick if this seems like the better advice to you......

[/ QUOTE ]Hmm, a slap on the leg after he tries to kick you is classed as hit it with a stick ,are you into parelli by any chance.

 

[vicky90]

thanks i will get his back checked, it could be a possibilty! and i will make sure i spend much more time with him,

think where he was previously he was left to his own so maybe needs a bit more security.

 

[Oberon]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It sounds like the 3yo is lacking in confidence and clinging to the other horse for comfort. When this relationship is threatened he acts out. Unless there is a pain issue (which I would not discount) it would also explain the reluctance to give up his hinds to you.

To alter the behaviour his confidence needs to be impoved and he needs to 'settle in'. Replace the other horse in your youngster's eyes by building your role in his life. Bring him in often on your days off work and do little bits with him. Engage his brain - he sounds clever.

But by all means, hit it with a stick if this seems like the better advice to you......

[/ QUOTE ]Hmm, a slap on the leg after he tries to kick you is classed as hit it with a stick ,are you into parelli by any chance.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yawn. Yes - a slap on the leg with a whip is hitting it with a stick. Splitting hairs?

I don't have an axe to grind but I would prefer to figure out why a young horse is acting up and then prevent the behaviour rather than get into a physical battle and dishing out punishment straight away.

Also - I don't feel it wise to go behind a horse that is lashing out or boiling over. But then, I have a mortage to pay.

I don't need to justify myself or advice I feel was sound to the OP but no, I am not parelli or a subscriber to any group other than my own common sense.