Bit for a yearling?

[CBJack]

Hi everyone

I have a yearling colt who I have owned since weaning. I will be castrating him (hopefully) in the autumn, he was t quite ready this spring.

99% of the time he is a dream. He is affectionate and well behaved. Enjoys being around people and is responsive. Everyone loves him!
However, whenever he gets a headcollar on he is really silly, jumps around, little rears etc all until he can hold the lead rope in his mouth. Once he has this in his mouth he calms down immediately and is as good as gold to lead. Obviously this is not ideal as I lose a bit of control of he also has hold of the rope but he will not settle till he can hold it!
Does anyone know why he may be doing this or how/if I should stop it? I don't want to put a bit in him but would it be worth a rubber one or something just so he can hold it if the lead rope wasn't connected to it?

Thank you!

 

[millikins]

Couldn't you just give him his own bit of rope?

 

[CBJack]

Thanks, yeah I thought that would be a good idea. I also don't know of I should be stopping this behaviour some how? Will it cause me problems later on? Or should I just keep him happy and calm and carry it around with him

 

[CanteringCarrot]

A coping with stress mechanism, probably. Just for comfort.

My 2 year old will try to stick things in his mouth occasionally. It's somewhat age appropriate (not desired, but not shocking at that age). In some cases it's play or exploration (getting to know the environment).

I'd be doing some ground work to get him used to human interaction the headcollar and showing him what it is your wanting him to do. Reward accordingly. Give him some confidence.

In some cases you have to make it so they cannot put the rope in their mouth and when they try to, make them work a bit (just move their feet around in various ways). When they're not trying for the rope or don't have a hold of it, keep things easy, calm, and relaxed. Show them that trying to get the rope or having it makes for a more "difficult" time whereas simply being led is easier and more relaxing.

It's hard because it depends on that horse and how their brain works. So I can't say exactly what I'd do with your yearling, but I'd solve this issue because a bit would be a bandaid. Leading or dealing with stuff in a headcollar is basic. Horse 101.

I know that you could just give him his own pacifier/rope, but I don't want them so reliant on that and I'm not sure if it encourages certain things or leads to further struggles later. Perhaps you could start the groundwork with it and overtime wean them as they become more knowledgeable, confident, and comfortable with life.

 

[CBJack]

Thank you, I have tried to keep things very chill at the moment, let him be a baby and not ask too much of him. But maybe this is a good idea, gives him something to think about too!

 

[Cortez]

Unless you want to replace a lot of expensive tack* I would suggest that you nip this habit in the bud at once. Being mouthy and bitey is typical coltish behaviour, as is hopping up down and generally titting about. If you don't install some manners things will escalate and you run the risk of getting hurt. If it was mine I would lead with a stud chain. I'd also geld right away.

*chewed up reins and other pieces of saddlery are pricey to replace, and if horses are allowed to start chewing lead ropes it rarely stops there.

 

[CBJack]

Thank you! I will be gelding him as soon as I can - vet came twice and checked this spring but wasn't ready yet!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Yeah, it is coltish, and while I still stand by what I said above, I'm a bit more no nonsense with mine, and he's very intelligent. You do have to nip things in the bud and show them that certain things aren't up for negotiation because if you give them an inch they WILL take a mile. With some things, it's a battle of wills and stubbornness. I'm more persistent about correcting mine and him doing the right thing than he is when he's doing the "wrong" thing. So at the end of the day, things are done "my" way. Sometimes they are testing how firm your boundaries are. When you show them just how firm they are, they will likely accept and remember that. It's not a fight, it's just being firm, fair, and consistent.

Again though, while this is Horse 101 and I stand by certain things, I do feel out the horse and alter my approach in some cases. If I have one doing this because colt vs one doing this because colt, but also very insecure, I'm going to correct but also give him the tools to feel more secure in his environment and while being handled.

 

[CBJack]

Makes a lot of sense and is very helpful thank you! I think because this is the only time he has ever been coltish I've probably been to soft on him with it!

 

[expanding_horizon]

Thank you, I have tried to keep things very chill at the moment, let him be a baby and not ask too much of him. But maybe this is a good idea, gives him something to think about too!

Yes my 13 year old started chewing one rein when being led. It’s quite hard to untrain and pretty destructive! And he seems to think it’s a fun game and is pretty unconcerned about my detraction attempts!

 

[Lois Lame]

Please don't put a bit in your yearling's mouth yourself. It will lead to many problems as he has not been mouthed and this must be done by someone who understands how to do it.

 

[MissTyc]

I treat the young colts like puppies. I assume they will be mouthy, but they need to learn to redirect that exploratory need to the right objects, which don't include the leadrope or human arms ...
There's a nice video from Warwick Schiller about "biting" behaviours on Youtube that might help you think about it in a more positive light?

I love mouthy horses as I find them very engaged and switched on - I've never had one that continued the behaviour into adolescence or adulthood as long as they guided appropriately and kindly. My 5yo also learned "hold this" which is his favourite trick. He won't pick anything up, but you can hand him things to hold and he seems quite pleased with himself. He does still, at 5, like to lead in my old cob from the field, but he doesn't chew the rope or snatch at anything. (he also likes to pull zippers up and down - again, never damages them and I think he'll grow out of it as he matures but I do love a playful horse).

 

[Kaylum]

No don't give him anything to grab hold of as seen this before and horse grabbed an arm of a child. He knew no different. Neither at fault just what the horse was use to.

Also seen one grab the riders boot. Lots of scenarios involving a bad ending.

 

[rabatsa]

No harm in trying a bit to chew on. As long as you do not attempt to use it for leading and use the rope to the headcollar. You will not know if it works unless you try.

 

[Katieg123]

I would put cribox or something similarly nasty tasting on the rope so he doesnt want to hold it without you having to 'punish' him for trying to hold it!

 

[Cortez]

Please don't put a bit in your yearling's mouth yourself. It will lead to many problems as he has not been mouthed and this must be done by someone who understands how to do it.

"Mouthing" consists of....putting a bit in a horse's mouth, nothing more than that and nothing complicated nor mysterious about it.

 

[Nasicus]

"Mouthing" consists of....putting a bit in a horse's mouth, nothing more than that and nothing complicated nor mysterious about it.

Yup, this.
I've always just popped the bit on inside the stable and given them a bucket of tasty feed and let them work it out. They soon figured out they could eat and drink and all was well. Simple!

 

[Cortez]

I treat the young colts like puppies. I assume they will be mouthy, but they need to learn to redirect that exploratory need to the right objects, which don't include the leadrope or human arms ...
There's a nice video from Warwick Schiller about "biting" behaviours on Youtube that might help you think about it in a more positive light?

I love mouthy horses as I find them very engaged and switched on - I've never had one that continued the behaviour into adolescence or adulthood as long as they guided appropriately and kindly. My 5yo also learned "hold this" which is his favourite trick. He won't pick anything up, but you can hand him things to hold and he seems quite pleased with himself. He does still, at 5, like to lead in my old cob from the field, but he doesn't chew the rope or snatch at anything. (he also likes to pull zippers up and down - again, never damages them and I think he'll grow out of it as he matures but I do love a playful horse).

Whereas I don't like a "playful" horse. Anyone who thinks playing with a half ton animal is a good idea is nuts. I have a friend who does this, and thinks it's cute to have the zippers ripped off her clothes, as well as a lot of other expensive and dangerous stuff. She's been in the hospital a number of times (more than 3) as a result, and has damaged cars, saddles, stable woodwork, fences, limbs, etc. Her horses are rude, bargy, disrespectful, unhappy creatures. And there are vets that will not come out to her horses because they are essentially unhandleable.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I mean, I've used my horses naturally (and orally) curious mind to teach him tricks such as picking the whip up off of the floor and handing it to me, but it's only on command. So you can take advantage of their explorative nature, but I don't let him do this on his own or put his mouth on me!

 

[GrassChop]

I actually posted something very similar not that long a go: https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/teaching-yearling-to-lead-sensibly.829201/

I've started mine with a french link snaffle, he took it easily of course and it keeps him concentrating a lot more than before but I mix it about and lead out in a headcollar with a chain and other times with the bit so it's not just training based on only being able to lead sensibly with a bit. I think the regularity of it has been the main thing that's improved him. He's now leading very nicely and in new places, he has his baby moments but not dangerous ones now. I also learned that force does not work for him, just telling him a firm no and repeating what we just did without any silliness works.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Whereas I don't like a "playful" horse. Anyone who thinks playing with a half ton animal is a good idea is nuts. I have a friend who does this, and thinks it's cute to have the zippers ripped off her clothes, as well as a lot of other expensive and dangerous stuff. She's been in the hospital a number of times (more than 3) as a result, and has damaged cars, saddles, stable woodwork, fences, limbs, etc. Her horses are rude, bargy, disrespectful, unhappy creatures. And there are vets that will not come out to her horses because they are essentially unhandleable.

I think that sounds like two different things. That you prefer horses that aren't playful/mouthy is one thing, whereas I'm sad to say, but to me it sounds like your friend is the type of person who would be able to ruin the manner of any horse, whether they're playful or not.

 

[MissTyc]

Whereas I don't like a "playful" horse. Anyone who thinks playing with a half ton animal is a good idea is nuts. I have a friend who does this, and thinks it's cute to have the zippers ripped off her clothes, as well as a lot of other expensive and dangerous stuff. She's been in the hospital a number of times (more than 3) as a result, and has damaged cars, saddles, stable woodwork, fences, limbs, etc. Her horses are rude, bargy, disrespectful, unhappy creatures. And there are vets that will not come out to her horses because they are essentially unhandleable.

I think we have a very different understanding of playful! Although I suspect we actually don't as I tend to agree with your postings so I think we're probably in the semantic weeds here.

All my horses are superbly mannered - they know HOW to play ... they don't destroy anything. Shaping play without shutting it down is as important as any other social learning.

Pulling a zip up and down can be a playful game- pulling on said zip would not be permitted. A horse that damaged a zip or one that pulled on a zip instead of paying attention to something I need him to pay attention would certainly not be permitted to play that particular game. But horses need to know what it permitted and what isn't permitted, just like they need to know that humans are squishy and fragile and don't play with the same err vigour as their mates.

 

[Cortez]

Ah

I think that sounds like two different things. That you prefer horses that aren't playful/mouthy is one thing, whereas I'm sad to say, but to me it sounds like your friend is the type of person who would be able to ruin the manner of any horse, whether they're playful or not.

Ah, but she is one of these people who advocates letting her horses "express" themselves, never reprimands them for fear of damaging their "bond" and doesn't believe in making them do, well, anything, really. She would be following advice very similar to that offered frequency on here.

 

[Cortez]

I think we have a very different understanding of playful! Although I suspect we actually don't as I tend to agree with your postings so I think we're probably in the semantic weeds here.

All my horses are superbly mannered - they know HOW to play ... they don't destroy anything. Shaping play without shutting it down is as important as any other social learning.

Pulling a zip up and down can be a playful game- pulling on said zip would not be permitted. A horse that damaged a zip or one that pulled on a zip instead of paying attention to something I need him to pay attention would certainly not be permitted to play that particular game. But horses need to know what it permitted and what isn't permitted, just like they need to know that humans are squishy and fragile and don't play with the same err vigour as their mates.

I find it far simpler, safer and less confusing to let horses play amongst themselves. Why on earth would anyone encourage horses to "play" with them? What's the purpose?

 

[Lois Lame]

"Mouthing" consists of....putting a bit in a horse's mouth, nothing more than that and nothing complicated nor mysterious about it.

Thank you, Cortez.