Best approach to take with nippy colt foal

Passtheshampoo

Passtheshampoo

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My 3 week old foal was a very shy boy to start with and has just started to come out of his shell. I can now pretty much touch him all over but when I touch his head/shoulder area he constantly tries to nip my arm which is unacceptable. What's the best approach to take with him to stop this behaviour. Is it a firm NO to get him to back off??? Have only had well mannered fillies previously so I'm new to the coltish behaviour. I've yet to get a foalslip on him as he's lived out from birth and I didn't want to pin him in a corner to get one on him. Don't think it'll be long before he accepts one being fitted though as he gaining confidence in me daily.
 
I'm a horribly mean Mummy. Foals who nip get my elbow in the side of the face just above the mouth. (It's called 'learning the consequences of your actions.) In exactly the same way, any foal who kicks at me wears a bucket of water, or a food skip, or whatever I have in my hand at the time.

And there's nothing wrong with pinning them in the corner and putting foal slip on - as long as you do it quietly and calmly they'll learn a useful lesson from it! My theory is they HAVE to learn that I'm stronger than they are (while it's still true!) In the same way, when I catch them (arms around neck) I hang on - even if it means being bounced off a couple of stable walls in the process. And no - they're not scared of me. EVERYONE who visits comments how calm and friendly all my youngsters are. They've learnt where the boundaries are!
 
Thanks Janet
If it works for your lot then I'll certainly try that with him. You're certainly not a mean Mummy, better being like that with them than too soft and then find yourself getting walked all over. Will get OH to help get foalslip on in field shelter at the weekend, don't fancy the hanging on for dear life myself as my spine is already pinned and fused together so I need to be a bit more careful these days!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm a horribly mean Mummy. Foals who nip get my elbow in the side of the face just above the mouth. (It's called 'learning the consequences of your actions.) In exactly the same way, any foal who kicks at me wears a bucket of water, or a food skip, or whatever I have in my hand at the time.

And there's nothing wrong with pinning them in the corner and putting foal slip on - as long as you do it quietly and calmly they'll learn a useful lesson from it! My theory is they HAVE to learn that I'm stronger than they are (while it's still true!) In the same way, when I catch them (arms around neck) I hang on - even if it means being bounced off a couple of stable walls in the process. And no - they're not scared of me. EVERYONE who visits comments how calm and friendly all my youngsters are. They've learnt where the boundaries are!

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with you JanetGeorge
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Also DONT over handle foals, they tend to get too friendly and then regard humans as playmates.

Does your foal have another foal to play with, or is it on its own, as usually this is the reason they get naughty.
 
I completely agree with both JG and CL here. Also a handy trick with an exceptionally nippy colt that simply will NOT get the message, is to get a Jiff Lemon and when handling the him make sure you have this in one of your hands (could be tricky if you have tiny hands I guess) and when he tries to bite you, squirt some in his mouth! Sounds a palaver, but it does work and they remember it, without getting head shy, as you won't have raised your hand. So they associate the nipping/biting with something that tastes rather horrid!
 
Never heard of the jif lemon trick S_N but sounds interesting, amazing what you learn on HHO. I certainly don't have little hands so sure I could give it a try if all else fails. Cruiseline, no I'm afraid he doesn't have another foal for company but has sheep and pigs in adjacent paddocks for a bit of entertainment!
 
That could be one of the reasons for his nippiness, he has to learn from other foals that if you bite, you get bitten back and it hurts.

Can you not find him a playmate preferably another foal, so that he can learn what he needs too.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I completely agree with both JG and CL here. Also a handy trick with an exceptionally nippy colt that simply will NOT get the message, is to get a Jiff Lemon and when handling the him make sure you have this in one of your hands (could be tricky if you have tiny hands I guess) and when he tries to bite you, squirt some in his mouth! Sounds a palaver, but it does work and they remember it, without getting head shy, as you won't have raised your hand. So they associate the nipping/biting with something that tastes rather horrid!

[/ QUOTE ]

I've also heard of using a jif lemon squeezy filled with water to squirt at them. I usually use a 'rattle' and shake it at them- it really works
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