Colt aggression in field ?

[Dwyran_gold]

So my self filling water trough has broken so I’ve been having to take buckets up to the field to fill an even larger bucket to get the water down there. Today my colt had kicked the large bucket over and decided it was a good toy to drag around the field so I go in to retrieve it and he comes galloping over, stops with a mud throwing screech a foot away from me wondering where I am taking his bucket.
then as I’m walking back to the gate he goes to nip me out of protest so I give him a tap on the nose (I know some people don’t agree with this so would be open to suggestions) he backs away for a split second to gather his anger and went in for a bit more of a nip so I gave him a bigger tap on the nose (all the time I’m walking to the gate) then I stop and tell him to get back, he backs up and then rears and goes for another nip! So I stomped towards him waving around like a lunatic “get back” and I actually felt like I had a full on argument with him in the field him nipping and rearing until he finally decided to sulk off... he’s getting gelded next month and after today it can’t come round soon enough. With no head collar on in the field he’s a right little sh*t and I just want to be able to keep control and enjoy him rather than telling him off all the time.... anyone else had a colt like this?

 

[CorriegarthJ]

I only answer as you asked the question! I just had my colt gelded on Monday and up until he was gelded and since....he’s perfect, wouldn’t even know he was a colt ? I think it is sometimes in the personality and sometimes the training/socialising as to how they are. I know I’m very lucky with my chap, he can be stubborn and has twice lead me into an false sense of security when smelling my ear over the stable door and then nipping it! He knew straight away what he did as backed right off into the stable before I even had chance to react! I would continue as you are and use consistent words/noises so he associates good from bad. He sounds like quite a confident chap so I would advise wearing hat especially if rearing and take a schooling whip into the field to use as an extension of your arm just as a bit of protection to prevent him from getting too close to you. Hope this helps. My vet even commented on what a lovely chap he was. It was a shame to geld as I’m sure he would have made a lovely horse at stud in the right hands as his personality is spot on, but that was never my intention and I do not want the hassle of managing a stallion, no matter how super he is!

 

[CorriegarthJ]

Hopefully yours will settle down and start to learn his place soon. Does he have company? My boy is with my soft but stern gelding and I think this has done wonders for him generally as he has had a good role model so has learned to come to call and relax in situations that may cause other horses upset

 

[Dwyran_gold]

I only answer as you asked the question! I just had my colt gelded on Monday and up until he was gelded and since....he’s perfect, wouldn’t even know he was a colt ? I think it is sometimes in the personality and sometimes the training/socialising as to how they are. I know I’m very lucky with my chap, he can be stubborn and has twice lead me into an false sense of security when smelling my ear over the stable door and then nipping it! He knew straight away what he did as backed right off into the stable before I even had chance to react! I would continue as you are and use consistent words/noises so he associates good from bad. He sounds like quite a confident chap so I would advise wearing hat especially if rearing and take a schooling whip into the field to use as an extension of your arm just as a bit of protection to prevent him from getting too close to you. Hope this helps

thank you for your reply. I wish I could say the same for mine, I have faith in Him though. Ive never had a colt so I didn’t really know what to expect which is why I got a trainer right away. Lol Before I had him he was in a field with 8 other colts of a similar age and he was apparently the boss, he was also a rescue so I think it’s something that he has in his mind at the moment. He’s very sweet out of his field and to be groomed (although he can be energetic on the end of the lead rope) He just sees me as a massive inconvenience to him. I’ve been keeping his mind busy with gentle ground work in walking on a lunge and and long reigning in a head collar (suggested by the trainer to keep his brain active and to teach him to listen to me without putting pressure on his body)
maybe I’m expecting too much from him I don’t know, I’ve just worked so hard with him that it’s upsetting when I have days like today. X

 

[Dwyran_gold]

Hopefully yours will settle down and start to learn his place soon. Does he have company? My boy is with my soft but stern gelding and I think this has done wonders for him generally as he has had a good role model so has learned to come to call and relax in situations that may cause other horses upset

he’s in a field on his own, next to other horses who he can say hello to over the fence, I really feel he would benefit to have a field buddy but the other two have arthritis and wouldn’t be a good match and as much as I’d like to get him a pal I don’t want to have to divide my attention (physically and financially) away from him as I feel he will need a lot of work in the future. I am thinking it might be worth sending him away this summer to my trainers yard, to have professional handling training and a field full of bigger geldings xx

 

[Nudibranch]

Sounds like you instigated a play fight without realising, and he thought it would be great fun. I doubt very much he sees you as a "massive inconvenience", nor that he has being rescued on his mind. It does sound like he doesn't particularly respect you, and may be bored. Does he have companions of a similar age to play with? Is he turned out all the time? If not then I would try and arrange both of those things asap. At present if you need to do field jobs I would catch him first and put him out of the way.
Ideally I would geld him then turn away in a group to let him grow up with company and learn the necessary social skills. Don't mollycoddle or baby him or you will end up with a pushy pita who doesnt respect your space.

 

[Dwyran_gold]

Sounds like you instigated a play fight without realising, and he thought it would be great fun. I doubt very much he sees you as a "massive inconvenience", nor that he has being rescued on his mind. It does sound like he doesn't particularly respect you, and may be bored. Does he have companions of a similar age to play with? Is he turned out all the time? If not then I would try and arrange both of those things asap. At present if you need to do field jobs I would catch him first and put him out of the way.
Ideally I would geld him then turn away in a group to let him grow up with company and learn the necessary social skills. Don't mollycoddle or baby him or you will end up with a pushy pita who doesnt respect your space.

thank you for your reply, he doesn’t have field buddies at the moment. He is turned out but has a stable ready for next winter. He has ‘friends’ in the next field but they are old with arthritis and wouldn’t be a good match for him. I think after he is gelded I’m going to have to send him away to my trainers yard to spend some time with professional people and other geldings... then think about getting him a pal for when he gets back x

 

[Five&Two]

He needs to be out with something that will teach him some manners without hurting him.

 

[be positive]

He is a colt, who has possibly covered a mare, that lived with others and is now alone so he is really just behaving out of frustration, it is obviously not acceptable that he is behaving this way but it is totally understandable as he has no way to either release his energy or learn that being aggressive is not the way forward.
He should improve once he is gelded but he still needs suitable company, I think almost any colt kept the way he has been rescued, moved about into unsuitable yards where he was with a mare, now alone and probably feeling very well, he is in need of going out and learning how to be a horse with as little human input as possible for a while so his companions can do their job of teaching him some boundaries before he gets even more ill mannered.

 

[Gloi]

Totally agree that being out with other horses is what he needs. Don't worry too much about him being a brat apart from letting it show you he needs a playmate that isn't you.

 

[Littlebear]

My baby horse is in a herd on 6m to 3 years and they all play, rearing, nipping, running around etc and they need to have that to learn boundaries, find him some mates he will be fine x

 

[Dwyran_gold]

thanks guys! I’ve just rang my trainer, like just.... at 10.30pm at night? Only just realised the time! Oh dear! Anyway he’s going to keep a space for him on his yard for the whole of the summer may to September. Full livery, including handling and turnout with other geldings. So I appreciate your input and I’ll get him a friend for when he’s back.... maybe a Shetland? No? Any ideas? Lol xxx

 

[Littlebear]

thanks guys! I’ve just rang my trainer, like just.... at 10.30pm at night? Only just realised the time! Oh dear! Anyway he’s going to keep a space for him on his yard for the whole of the summer may to September. Full livery, including handling and turnout with other geldings. So I appreciate your input and I’ll get him a friend for when he’s back.... maybe a Shetland? No? Any ideas? Lol xxx

are there not any studs near you that offer turnout or livery for babies specifically?

 

[Dwyran_gold]

are there not any studs near you that offer turnout or livery for babies specifically?

the only place near by is the place I got him from and I wouldn’t send him back there. It’s all small private leisure yards around here. He’s due to be gelded next month. He’s got an undescended testicle else he’d have been done in October when I had him, it’s still not dropped so he’s going in for the op next month x

 

[be positive]

He needs a companion that can stand up to him, a shetland will probably think it is able to but in reality will probably back down when challenged, something nearer his size would he better but he may be totally different in 6 months time .

 

[Frano]

He needs turn out with an older horse who can put up with playfulness but put your colt in his place. Perhaps a herd so he learns horse manners . He is bigger and stronger than you and may well learn to be to dominant. I speak from experience seeing how a friends colt behaved.

 

[TheMule]

He's rising 2?
He needs to be out full time living with other horses, not booked in with a trainer for full livery. Getting him gelded will open up possibilities for that, I suggest you do whatever you can to find him a more suitable environment to grow up in to save yourself a lot of problems further down the line.

 

[twiggy2]

He's rising 2?
He needs to be out full time living with other horses, not booked in with a trainer for full livery. Getting him gelded will open up possibilities for that, I suggest you do whatever you can to find him a more suitable environment to grow up in to save yourself a lot of problems further down the line.

It does read from your post OP that your (then) gelding won't be living out in the company of a herd when he goes to the trainer. If that is the case then I honestly don't think much of the trainer.
He will honestly learn the most from being at a place where he can be turned out in a herd, ideally a mixes herd with company of all ages, he will learn manners, grow up and settle down.
Anything positive that horses can learn where we are hands of is a huge bonus after all most horses that we class as having problems have those problems because humans mucked up.
I would be looking for a stud or similar that can offer him a place to live out in at least a group of youngsters his age but ideally with a few older horses there to instil manners, if there is not one local to you I would send him away to one that cones recommended.

 

[Leo Walker]

He's rising 2?
He needs to be out full time living with other horses, not booked in with a trainer for full livery. Getting him gelded will open up possibilities for that, I suggest you do whatever you can to find him a more suitable environment to grow up in to save yourself a lot of problems further down the line.

This! He absolutely does not need to go away for handling and turn out with adult horses. He needs to be gelded, and I would do that right now rather than wait a month and let this become a huge issue, and then he needs to go to youngstock livery and live out with a group of youngsters and an older horse to keep them in check.

My 2yr old came in December, he was the most laid back colt ever, he came on Sunday and was gelded Monday. Its not worth waiting for some mythical best time, there isn't one. Mine is out with 3yr olds and an older, bigger gelding. It works brilliantly. He plays all day with the other youngsters and the older gelding puts them in their place when its too much.

Honestly, I'd sell him and buy something more suitable. Its an awfully long time until he will be an educated and consistent ride and the money you will need to invest will be astronomical. If you send him away now your looking at bringing him back in 2yrs time, backing him and then turning him away again. That's a long time to sit about twiddling your thumbs if you don't have another horse to ride.

 

[be positive]

He's rising 2?
He needs to be out full time living with other horses, not booked in with a trainer for full livery. Getting him gelded will open up possibilities for that, I suggest you do whatever you can to find him a more suitable environment to grow up in to save yourself a lot of problems further down the line.

I missed the full livery bit, I bet the trainer jumped at the opportunity of the income for what will be an easy livery but it is not suitable for a youngster who needs full time out not being kept in and faffed about with every day.
I would take him on as a livery but turned out with my small herd of fairly bossy but kind geldings and only do checks each day with maybe one day a week coming in for a bit of handling, several years ago I took on a similar colt to help out the owner who had no where to go, yards locally wouldn't take him on until gelded, the vet wouldn't geld until he was somewhere with a stable, catch 22 for her, he came here and got turned out with my boys who put him in his place, he was gelded a few weeks later and went back out with them while she found somewhere longer term for him, he learned far more from being out than any amount of handling would have taught him and left here a much nicer character.

 

[dorsetladette]

thanks guys! I’ve just rang my trainer, like just.... at 10.30pm at night? Only just realised the time! Oh dear! Anyway he’s going to keep a space for him on his yard for the whole of the summer may to September. Full livery, including handling and turnout with other geldings. So I appreciate your input and I’ll get him a friend for when he’s back.... maybe a Shetland? No? Any ideas? Lol xxx

How big is the field he is curently in? maybe speak to blue cross or similar. You could temporarily foster/rehome a couple of babies for him to socialise with. places like that are crying out for help and they are also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to ground work and training of young ponies.

 

[Gloi]

What part of the country are you in , someone here may know of a suitable place. My baby was out in a big herd of colts and geldings until he was three and it did him the world of good.
A shetland as a companion is rarely the best option. They need so little to eat when compared to larger ponies so there is always a battle to stop them getting fat and laminitic.

 

[Dwyran_gold]

What part of the country are you in , someone here may know of a suitable place. My baby was out in a big herd of colts and geldings until he was three and it did him the world of good.
A shetland as a companion is rarely the best option. They need so little to eat when compared to larger ponies so there is always a battle to stop them getting fat and laminitic.

thats a good point, it would be ideal he had a friend who Didn’t need as much work as he will. i live in brewood x

 

[Dwyran_gold]

How big is the field he is curently in? maybe speak to blue cross or similar. You could temporarily foster/rehome a couple of babies for him to socialise with. places like that are crying out for help and they are also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to ground work and training of young ponies.

That sounds like a good idea, I’ll have to get in touch. he’s in 2.5 acre. X

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’m afraid that if you need to ask advice on a forum as to how handle a coltish colt, you are not cut out to own one. It’s just basic firm handling, and timing is everything.

He will improve later if handled and managed correctly, but from what the OP has posted up to now, he is not what she is looking for. Sell or return him to the ‘rescue’, and get something easier and more established.

FWIW, I’d have taken on and sorted a stroppy colt when was younger and more agile, and in fact I did, but I wouldn’t want the hassle now.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Lack of respect for you. Don’t just expect the gelding to stop the nipping, you have to be firmer with him than a tap on the nose.

My Welsh D 2yr old crosses the line with my friend the other day and bit her on the back of the arm as he perceived she wasn’t putting him out quick enough as she had stopped to talk to someone, so he leaned over and bit her arm. She smacked him hard in the nose and chased him to the back of the stable making lots of noise. Needless to say he was very sorry looking when she went back in five mins later to get him after she inspected her arm. He was very gentle and displaying submission and he got headcollar on and went out without a hitch.

I have no objections to what she did as he was showing a lack of respect and manners which is something I won’t tolerate. You have to be firm with youngsters and set realistic expectations and boundaries. No way would mine try to Play with me in the field or come at me like yours did. He knows better manners.

 

[Dwyran_gold]

I’m afraid that if you need to ask advice on a forum as to how handle a coltish colt, you are not cut out to own one. It’s just basic firm handling, and timing is everything.

He will improve later if handled and managed correctly, but from what the OP has posted up to now, he is not what she is looking for. Sell or return him to the ‘rescue’, and get something easier and more established.

FWIW, I’d have taken on and sorted a stroppy colt when was younger and more agile, and in fact I did, but I wouldn’t want the hassle now.

100% I only know what my trainers have told me, what I’ve read and the advice I get on here! I’m completely new to having a colt, I’ve only ever owned older horses and it’s a completely different ball game. I guess we all have to start somewhere though. He definitely not what I was looking for! But then I wasn’t looking lol x

 

[Dwyran_gold]

This! He absolutely does not need to go away for handling and turn out with adult horses. He needs to be gelded, and I would do that right now rather than wait a month and let this become a huge issue, and then he needs to go to youngstock livery and live out with a group of youngsters and an older horse to keep them in check.

My 2yr old came in December, he was the most laid back colt ever, he came on Sunday and was gelded Monday. Its not worth waiting for some mythical best time, there isn't one. Mine is out with 3yr olds and an older, bigger gelding. It works brilliantly. He plays all day with the other youngsters and the older gelding puts them in their place when its too much.

Honestly, I'd sell him and buy something more suitable. Its an awfully long time until he will be an educated and consistent ride and the money you will need to invest will be astronomical. If you send him away now your looking at bringing him back in 2yrs time, backing him and then turning him away again. That's a long time to sit about twiddling your thumbs if you don't have another horse to ride.

im not in any rush to ride him, I’ve got all the time in the world at the moment. I’ve made a commitment to him the second I had him and whatever that costs in time and money then that’s fine with me. The trainer won’t take ungelded colts on his yard and it was the vet who suggested waiting to see if his ball dropped. He has youngsters he’s handling/training and older horses on his yard with some turned out 24/7. I’m sure he’ll sort them in to the best dynamic when he gets there. I asked for the stable for just in case and when I say ‘full livery’ I mean they will be doing everything for him that I would do if he was at home but with better experience of youngsters. Maybe I wasn’t clear about that. It’s always been the plan to send him away, I just haven’t been able too because of his undescended testicle.
now he has a space booked in to go to a yard with all ages and I’ll go from there. X

 

[Dwyran_gold]

I missed the full livery bit, I bet the trainer jumped at the opportunity of the income for what will be an easy livery but it is not suitable for a youngster who needs full time out not being kept in and faffed about with every day.
I would take him on as a livery but turned out with my small herd of fairly bossy but kind geldings and only do checks each day with maybe one day a week coming in for a bit of handling, several years ago I took on a similar colt to help out the owner who had no where to go, yards locally wouldn't take him on until gelded, the vet wouldn't geld until he was somewhere with a stable, catch 22 for her, he came here and got turned out with my boys who put him in his place, he was gelded a few weeks later and went back out with them while she found somewhere longer term for him, he learned far more from being out than any amount of handling would have taught him and left here a much nicer character.

I think I confused you with ‘full livery’ I mean they’ll be taking on all of the responsibilities and I won’t have to go up if I don’t want to. i asked for a stable for just in case. He’s not stabled but has one for in case. He will be stabled when he’s older. It’s a yard with all ages and all types of horses and more experienced handlers of youngsters x

 

[Hallo2012]

he's not being aggressive hes just being a boy-if he was given the chance i know my stallion would do the same silly sneaky nipping and farting around but he doesn't get the chance so he doesn't.

i wouldn't be going in the field and turning my back on him as you just invite this idiocy and if you dont know how to back them off and properly back them off, they just come back for more as its all a silly game to them.

company will really do a lot of the work for you, a big herd of mixed ages and personalities so he learns to be a horse.....that said my boy was kept inside for 6 months before i had him as they didnt have safe turnout and has been out alone since as he plays too rough, but i make sure he socialises a lot in hand and over a door with lots of horses and having had several stallions to own/ride/train im quick to knock the stupidity on the head (sometimes literally lol!) but i do think the turnout in a big herd would be easiest for you once gelded and will come back in a different pony.