Bolshy Yearling advice please?? (also in Breeding)

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amage

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Apologies this may turn out kind of long. I have a cracking yearling colt that I bred myself. At weaning he went to my friends stud for the winter as we had nowhere suited to him as OH's yard is full of racehorses in training. He was bred for me and is hopefully going to be my future competition horse. The mare can be a little sharp at times (good sharp rather than silly sharp) and colt is by a TB stallion called Albano who is by Broken Hearted. He is a super mover and after careful consideration we intend on keeping him entire until at least two year old. His damline is super and quite unusual breeding and sire's youngstock are good to jump, excellent movers and selling well. Stud he was in for winter would be the ones standing him if he does cover in the future and it is after their appraisal we have agreed to keep him whole untill at least two year old and take semen to freeze (for private use). If at that stage we have any doubts about temperament/suitability for life as a stallion etc he will be cut. We are not looking to breed him for the sake of breeding but are equally aware that due to his stallions eldest stock only being 4 and 5 there are no entire sons on the ground. Equally important the mare is her dam's last daughter and end of her line so if there is any chance of carrying it on I would like to. Mare is back in foal as I do not own land etc and would like to wait and see what I have bred as it gets older rather than keep breeding for the sake of it. Mare however is 15 and while in perfect health do have to bare in mind that this could potentially be the only foal i get from her.

Anywho after that rambling intro (i'll offer a glass of wine at this stage!!) I now get to the question....he is now back with me in OH's yard and being a saucy little git. He will be turned out in the next couple of weeks but waiting on his new companion (2 yr old tb gelding) to arrive. He is getting wormed, vaccinated, feet done etc and is stabled with daily turnout in arena. He will be getting into field but as he only arrived back sun we want to take it gently before letting him in large open space. While in stud he was good as gold and very chilled out. Since arriving sun he is being a bit of a sod. Barging around with me and being quite ignorant. He is a dote inside the stable but as soon as he steps outside the door he is a git. He is better with OH than with me but I have been really looking forward to doing this handling work and getting to know him as an individual and also being able to do him myself. I am actually a bit afraid of him and he is not even being that bad. Today has just been a complete crisis of confidence ending in me blubbing to OH how will I ever ride him as a 4 year old if I can't even lead him around the yard as a yearling (yes I am aware of how illogical and ridiculous this statement is lol). I genuinely don't think him being entire is anything to do with the barginess as he is a late foal (june) so not even a full yearling. My sensible side is saying calm down as soon as he hits grass and has oodles more exercise he will settle and I will wonder what i was so worried about. i'm prob making him sound like a dangerous lunatic when he isn't. Anyway can anyone give me any advice? I know I do need to toughen up a bit and i'm prob having one of those days when everything is wrong anyway! Can offer a second glass of wine and some BLTs now!
 
I think you just need to keep your chin up and keep working with this lovely sounding boy!! I dont think bolshyness has any quick fix, from the sounds of it its all about respect ( with him respecting your OH more) and you just need to get him to respect you. Dont think of him as a baby, think of him as dangerous machine that YOU need to be the driver of!! There are lots of techniques e.g. dually halter/backing up but you sound liek a rounded horsewoman that deep down knows what shes got to do so i say go out there and show that yearling whos boss and enjoy the lovely summer that is coming with him :)

Good luck!!
 
Couldn't follow all the story but am I right in thinking he's gone from turnout with companions to a place he doesn't know, no turnout and no companions? If so, your answer is right there.
 
He's a yearling, and a colt, and Spring is coming, and he's had a change of environment and management. Yearling and Spring - along with change in environment - have more to do with it than being a colt!

Wear gloves and a hard hat, be firm and consistent, and he'll soon buckle down - particularly once he can go out in the field. ALL youngsters go through 'stages' - I have 13 yearlings at present - 4 colts - and they ALL take it in turns to be little ratbags (the fillies are often worse than the colts!)
 
Thanks guys, feel alot better this morning. He was in and out during the day at stud sometimes alone, sometimes with buddies! He is now in and we are turning out in arena but there is a delay on OH's new baby arriving hence why he has no companion for a couple of days. Thanks everyone I know I just need to toughen up a bit. He does know this yard....he was here from soon after he was born until late September. Had big discussion with OH last nite and our plan of action is for OH to do main handling when he is out of stable for the time being while I start by asserting myself in the stable and go from there. He is alot better this morn after a few hours out yest . He also got his flu vac this morning and vet made me feel alot better and said he real isn't as bolshy as I think he is i'm just not used to yearlings! All going to plan his new friend will be here by fri and They can then go out full time as soon as possible. Thanks again guys
 
If its any comfort I have a yearling filly and a yearling colt, all through the winter they have been good as gold, yet since the first signs of spring approx 3 weeks ago its all change - filly is being stroppy and colt is very full of himself, bolshy, cheeky, difficult to lead etc so echo what is said above they are babies, its spring and life is just too exciting!!

Just be firm, consistent and try to ignore the showing off, and always wear gloves and a hat and a smile!!
 
It is completely normal behaviour - balls or no balls! My gelding went through this in his second year - soon after I got him.

You must be firm but fair and be safe - hat, gloves and BP if necessary.

I think getting him out, in company will be of huge benefit! Another youngster is great but an older 'nanny' can also help tremendously. if no company available, it will do him no harm going it alone for a little while!

Good luck
 
I went through a similar thing with our 2yo last autumn. He went from being adorable and bidable to being an absolute sod in a week. He was also about 15.3h by then. I ended up scared to lead him at all and my daughter who has never ever had a confidence issue was also getting nervous.
I called in an AI I knew who had had lots of youngsters herself.
One session and he was improved. Two sessions and I was back to leading him myself!
As JG says consistancy and firmness are the key. I also use a controller head collar if he is fiesty that day. The AI comes once a month to ensure we are not backsliding! She will also help with longreining and general handling over the next year or so. I felt silly asking for help but it was the best thing I ever did.
 
Don't worry it's just what youngsters do, just be clear on boundaries, i always make youngsters back up before we leave a stable and if they prat around while being led i just stand and wait so silly behaviour doesnt get them anywhere. Lots of patience and lots of deep breaths, he'll settle again.
 
Don't worry. I dislocated/badly wrenched (not sure which) my shoulder when turning out my yearling filly this morning. It was actually done when I tried to wallop her so God's justice I suppose. I've only had her in at nights for a couple of days so I figure it will pass. Defo wear a hat and body protector though (I wasn't) and watch the shoulders!
 
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