Forget backing... what about handling babies?

Dont agree, our, now 5 yr old that we bred wasnt cut till he was 3, but was handled from a few minutes old, havent had any problems with him. He wasnt "over" handled just did what was necessary at the time on a day to day basis.
 
Rubbish unless he was an orphan. Orphans don't seem to have the same respect for humans, I'm not sure why.

"Wrong" handling can ruin them, but not "over" handling.
 
I think that a foal kept on its own, as in no other youngsters, can regard humans as its playmates and develop problems that way.
A friend of mine has a very extensively handled youngster that has only ever been turned out with an old gelding that he used to flatten regularly, hes a s*d. Like dogs, they are easier if they understand hierarchy and acknowledge humans as being at the top and I do think overhandling can cause problems.
 
I think they have to learn to be handled, but not over handled. I think the biggest problem is with horses who were orphaned as babies and were totally hand reared. Missing out on the education it should have had from it's mother.
 
i don't agree that overhandling can cause problems- BAD handling can though and obviously the more you handle them badly, the worse they are.

also i bought a 3yro who only had a 20yro mare for company since she was a foal.
she was a strapping 17hh middleweight as a 3yro and she was the most respectful, easy horse i have ever had- so other youngsters are not essential to a well balanced horse.
 
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Someone came out and told her the reason he was like it is that he'd been handled too much as a baby and knew he could walk all over humans.



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the reason he is like this is that he has been BADLY handled and has been TAUGHT that he can walk all over humans!!

Apart from this year's colt foals I have 2 x rising 2 yo colts, 1 rising 4 and 1 rising 5. They have ALL been well-handled since birth. And they are confident. But they ALSO know that Mum will smack their bums if they're naughty - although I never need to now. A stern word, and a LOOK, is generally enough.

The two older boys are obviously backed and under saddle; the two young boys are in at night - sharing a very large stable, and out by day. They're easy to catch, easy to lead, trim, handle generally. One of them WAS a sod as a foal and a yearling - took a lot of teaching. But he's easy-peasy now.

The problem with ANY foal is that people think they're cute - and laugh when they're naughty. A nip of a kick from a foal doesn't hurt much at all. Suddenly they have a great big brute that walks all over them - and they have only themselves to blame!
 
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Someone came out and told her the reason he was like it is that he'd been handled too much as a baby and knew he could walk all over humans.



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the reason he is like this is that he has been BADLY handled and has been TAUGHT that he can walk all over humans!!

Apart from this year's colt foals I have 2 x rising 2 yo colts, 1 rising 4 and 1 rising 5. They have ALL been well-handled since birth. And they are confident. But they ALSO know that Mum will smack their bums if they're naughty - although I never need to now. A stern word, and a LOOK, is generally enough.

The two older boys are obviously backed and under saddle; the two young boys are in at night - sharing a very large stable, and out by day. They're easy to catch, easy to lead, trim, handle generally. One of them WAS a sod as a foal and a yearling - took a lot of teaching. But he's easy-peasy now.

The problem with ANY foal is that people think they're cute - and laugh when they're naughty. A nip of a kick from a foal doesn't hurt much at all. Suddenly they have a great big brute that walks all over them - and they have only themselves to blame!

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Totally agree, I bought my youngster at 3.5 a big strapping strong boy who was well mannered, a joy to handle very confident and took everything in his stride. He came with a fantastic foundation and we have ensured that he has had the same consistancy in his backing and training. My boy is now 4.5 and I am regularly complimented on his behaviour and manners by the vet, farrier YO and everyone who comes into contact with him.
 
I don't agree that over handling can make them bolshy etc, but wrong handling certainly can.
 
See, that was my thinking. We currently have a 2 1/2yo who grew up on the mountains and he's going through the a-hole stage quite nicely.

Friend's colt was born on a stud farm and surrounded by humans and horses.

Friend has always been very firm with him. She's an experienced horsey type but was at her wits end. Nothing she did asserted any dominance over him!!


The problem is though that I don't know what to do with my foal. I'll be limited because I will be doing exams, but I don't want to spoil it!
 
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Someone I know had a very difficult colt, very bolshy and sure of himself.

Someone came out and told her the reason he was like it is that he'd been handled too much as a baby and knew he could walk all over humans.

Never heard of that before, but does anyone else agree?

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What a crock.....


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I think that a foal kept on its own, as in no other youngsters, can regard humans as its playmates and develop problems that way.


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I agree. The Little Cigar was only with his mum until he was weaned and he was a RIGHT sod until he was weaned and went out with the other babies. INSTANT personality change and he's now a darling. He was handled from birth.
 
I had Talis at 4 months old and he was handled daily with leading, hoof picking, grooming, etc. He was a gem of a pony to handle. I like to think I set up good ground rules with him from day one. Consistent, calm and fair.

I would've thought that so long as the colt was handled consistently, calmly and fairly there wouldn't be a problem? Of course appropriate feeding and turnout with others to learn valuable social skills is a must.
 
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