Correcting Bad Behaviour - Planting, Rearing Cow Kicking etc

Ditch the whip - she must learn to trust you are not going to put her in danger by asking her to do things she is not sure about and using a stick or whip at this stage will only reinforce her fear.

As you have said you are discovering "all the time in the world" is the way to go. Every step she takes without being forced is a step nearer trusting you as her leader.
 
Springy said:
At a guess yes.... The ducking away is worse than the nibble

A hard habit to crack
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Yes, it will be - how does one punish a horse for wanting to get away from you (albeit temporarily) without making him want to get away from you even more? I think the answer has to lie elsewhere - make him realize you're not going to react to his evasive behaviour, either by punishing or rewarding it, and it will gradually diminish. Of course, that approach takes time and patience, but then overcoming bad habits often does. Good luck!
 
I did not read all the thread, imho if you are not progressing with your tactics, carry a strong stick and when you need to, give her//him a sharp quick tap. All reactions need to be rapid and clear.
most horses do not do well as pets, they need leadership. Dont make a fuss, one way or the other, ask for good behaviour and respect.
 
Miss L Toe said:
I did not read all the thread, imho if you are not progressing with your tactics, carry a strong stick and when you need to, give her//him a sharp quick tap. All reactions need to be rapid and clear.
most horses do not do well as pets, they need leadership. Dont make a fuss, one way or the other, ask for good behaviour and respect.
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You earn respect.
 
Miss L Toe said:
Don t let him chew anything, he needs to learn to behave propery, tie him up to groom him, and don't let him boss you about. He should walk by your side, stop when you do etc etc.
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He does walk by me he can be groomed loose or tied up its only when he has a lead rein rider he does it.... How will tying him up to groom him stop him from nipping in the school?
 
Loving this thread. I've got the maxwell book and no force no fear but somehow there needs to be a bit more on this minutii of making a good horse, making good manners, tactics if you like! I definitely now appreciate all the good manners my mare displays (as someone may well have had to instill those in her) now that I have my own youngster! Luckily she has a few wrinkles to iron out, so guess where I started on on the little one!.

Another tip needed - at feeding I carry my youngsters food bowl into the stable and he follows me. The plan is then that he moves over to the wall, parks himself while I put the bowl down then waits for me to to invite him in to eat. He has been really good at this but recently he has started to pin back his ears and be all a bit agitated. Should I go back to tying him up first or is there something I can do to encourage calm coming into the stable?
 
Pale Rider said:
Ditch the pressure halter please.
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Well said. I hate seeing these on youngstock, especially when used by novices. A well fitting leather head collar is far preferable.

When handling youngstock you need to be firm but fair and have VERY concise and consistent boundaries. They go through stages of planting and rearing, I found the best way to deal with planting was a light flick behind with a schooling whip and plenty of praise when they do walk forward.

I had a bint of a welsh pony who's answer to everything was to rear and then spin and try to kick, will probably get flamed here but after she had flattened her last owner, she tried the rearing only to be met with a wallop across the belly from my schooling stick - never did it again.
 
snowstormII said:
Loving this thread. I've got the maxwell book and no force no fear but somehow there needs to be a bit more on this minutii of making a good horse, making good manners, tactics if you like! I definitely now appreciate all the good manners my mare displays (as someone may well have had to instill those in her) now that I have my own youngster! Luckily she has a few wrinkles to iron out, so guess where I started on on the little one!.

Another tip needed - at feeding I carry my youngsters food bowl into the stable and he follows me. The plan is then that he moves over to the wall, parks himself while I put the bowl down then waits for me to to invite him in to eat. He has been really good at this but recently he has started to pin back his ears and be all a bit agitated. Should I go back to tying him up first or is there something I can do to encourage calm coming into the stable?
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That behaviour will pass believe me. It's a "hurry up mum, I am sooooooooo hungry, I'm so excited, I cannot wait any longer!!!".

Please don't agitate further by tying him up. Just keep doing what you are doing and reaffirming the boundary. If he gets too close, say "back" calmly. He will back and wait... Maybe with his ears pinned back but so what? He's not going to hurt you. Give him a scratch while he is eating so he associates it with pleasant things.

Don't delay food unnecessarily. Ask what you want, expect to get it and deliver the food. That's the deal you made with him. You keep up your deal and ask him to keep up his deal. That's all you can expect. Soon it will become routine and the ears will no longer be pinned back.

I also don't make a big fuss. Or else fuss is expected at mealtimes. I make sure I adjust rugs etc and other normal things so it becomes part of normal things.
 
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Ive had great results with dually halters - some people just don't seem to like them and tell you not to use them with no proper explanation as to why. Yes he is a youngster but ultimately you have to be safe. As long as a dually is used properly there should be no problem.
 
Slightly jumping on your thread, OP. Hope you don't mind...I have a big 3 year old who is good as gold in everry way but he does have seperation anxiety. If I walk him out without his friends he gets so far and then starts to worry, what do I do then? I can lead him as far away as an invisible line but over that he starts leaping about and wanting to go back. Tips? He is bitted and wears that when being 'schooled'. I plan on starting to lead him out off my other horse which should increase his boundaries of what he knows, but that won't help with not wanting to leave the others?
 
I may have missed it..but I cannot see anywhere where it says how old this filly is? A lot of the comments here would be inappropriate for a foal whereas acceptable for a three year old. Sorry if I have missed it.
 
HBM1 said:
I may have missed it..but I cannot see anywhere where it says how old this filly is? A lot of the comments here would be inappropriate for a foal whereas acceptable for a three year old. Sorry if I have missed it.
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She is 3 in June of this year :)
 
Clodagh said:
Slightly jumping on your thread, OP. Hope you don't mind...I have a big 3 year old who is good as gold in everry way but he does have seperation anxiety. If I walk him out without his friends he gets so far and then starts to worry, what do I do then? I can lead him as far away as an invisible line but over that he starts leaping about and wanting to go back. Tips? He is bitted and wears that when being 'schooled'. I plan on starting to lead him out off my other horse which should increase his boundaries of what he knows, but that won't help with not wanting to leave the others?
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As I see it from your description, there is a simple issue of "I'm not sure I trust you mummy". That's all. Maybe work on building up reasons why it's a nice thing to go with you. Treats, or perhaps some roadside grazing on grass shoots or cow parsley tips, or even a simple scratch... Whatever it is, it has to be nice for him.

I think when he naps back to his friends, you must carry on going the way you are going and he has to understand that he must follow you now and it's not unpleasant. Maybe ditch the bit for now if you think his behaviour might cause the bit to cause him pain in his mouth. Don't get angry with him, just reassure that you are awesome company. Maybe work on being awesome company for a while and forget the schooling just until you have a good one one one happy bond in all situations.
 
tallyho! said:
As I see it from your description, there is a simple issue of "I'm not sure I trust you mummy". That's all. Maybe work on building up reasons why it's a nice thing to go with you. Treats, or perhaps some roadside grazing on grass shoots or cow parsley tips, or even a simple scratch... Whatever it is, it has to be nice for him.

I think when he naps back to his friends, you must carry on going the way you are going and he has to understand that he must follow you now and it's not unpleasant. Maybe ditch the bit for now if you think his behaviour might cause the bit to cause him pain in his mouth. Don't get angry with him, just reassure that you are awesome company. Maybe work on being awesome company for a while and forget the schooling just until you have a good one one one happy bond in all situations.
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Clodagh - I don't mind at all :) my girl has done this before now with me when asked to leave the field and her friend who lives next door. Last night i was putting her out and she had to pass friend in the school, she stopped and looked at her and didn't want to move on, i asked her forward and she stayed still, so i asked her for to move over which she did then proceeded to walk forward a few steps so lots of fuss & praise then she stopped again and looked back so same again
 
Thank you. I think old companion doesn't help as he has a hissy fit and screams the place down, new boy isn't fussed at all so maybe companion will shut up now.

I will try to take him somewhere nice, you are right about the bit and I do worry about pulling him on it and him not liking it in his mouth any more. He marches out away from his friends and then has a lightbulb moment, I have given up for now and thought I would try again when the weather was nicer.
 
OK so I'd like to think it was the advice and not just fluke that worked at tea time tonight! Instead of yelling at him when he got a bit close etc when I was about to put the bucket down (when the conflagration has been starting), I just quietly and assertively got him to move back and insist (but not in a nasty way) that he stood away from me and he was much much better.

We'll keep doing the same and perhaps the little darling will return for good (not bad for 8 months old).
 
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