Bolshy young'un (first of many help me threads)

[RubysGold]

I bought my first 3yo youngster (so Im sure Ill have to ask for help quite regularly), hes been home since Saturday
Hes lovely, no malice in him at all, but hes very much in my face. He shoves his nose in my face all the time, when I want to put a headcollar on, he swings his head into me. And he does this thing, theres no teeth, but he comes at me with his lips, not nastily, Im not sure what hes doing there,

Im not worried by him but I dont want to go about this the wrong way and end up with a nasty/naughty adult horse. So how do I go about stopping him from being so in my face? (So far Ive slapped him and Ive asked him to walk backwards a few times? )

 

[stencilface]

Get a control headcollar and spend some time doing some basic in hand moves with him. Asking him to move forwards, stand and go backwards - use a schooling whip to tap him to get him to know what you want to do, Voice command, tap I find works as eventually they learn voice command and don't need the tap.

We had a lesson or two in hand when my sister got her youngster (at 15 months) as he was a bit 'muleish' to quote thevet Now, a year later he is pretty good to lead etc, and far less bolshy

 

[Elfen]

Get yourself the Richard maxwell or Michael peace books - you can also find clips on YouTube - loads of groundwork - don't slap him but use the tools in the above books. Good luck

 

[Zimzim]

I would use a controller headcollar and work on some ground work with him. I have a 3 year old myself and he was rather bolshy the first week I had him. I used the controller headcollar to get him to listen to me and respect what I was asking him i.e. walkingt/halting/ trotting in hand, going backwards etc. I spent time in the school and walking out and about getting him youst to voice commands and being patient.

The best thing is to spend alot of time with them even if its just grooming them etc, enables you to form a strong bond and they learn to respect you and gets them youst to moving away from you. Also since you've just got him it will take time for him to settle into a new place and new surroundings and into a new routine with you.

Keep at it and Good luck xx

 

[Potato!]

no advice but will be watching this thread closely as i have just bought a 4yo who is very much in your face.