Gelding with Stallion behaviour

[Meowy Catkin]

Absolutely this.

Having had a good number of working stallions, I tend to get grumpy when I hear of a gelding having 'stallion like behaviour'. Nope, its being a bloody rude/agressive thug.

I agree too and that's exactly why I said the behaviour may not be related to hormones.

TBH my inkling based on the OP's posts is that it's probably a combination of new yard, new owner (and this is their first horse), plus the change to individual turnout.

I'm probably wrong though as I've not seen the horse and there are other possible things that are a factor (saddle fit, change of feed?). Hopefully the OP will be able to work out what's going on and take measures to have no repeats of the behaviour.

 

[MazzMara]

In

Totally agree with Auslander. if you ride a stallion, you make sure there is plenty of space between you and other horses and you never let your guard down but a well-trained stallion will not behave like a thug. Thuggish behaviour is just that. Now you know what he is capable of, you will need to be prepared by not putting yourself and him in situations where he will be tempted to do it again. It may also help if you become much stricter in the way you handle him. Whatever you ask him to do, as in standing still for instance, you do not let him get away with moving one foot, ever, and if he does he is made to put it back exactly where it was straight away, as many times as necessary. If he invades your space, you move him back where you want him, always. If you are coming into his stable, he steps back. If you are feeding him, he politely stands back until you have moved away from the food. That is discipline, it is fair, and it keeps people safe around horses who are inclined to throw their weight around. All this can be done calmly and quietly of course, you reserve the wrath of God (or Satan!) for

 

[MazzMara]

You have all hit the nail on the head for me, with every sinfle post. Thank you for your polite and knowledgeable responses and staying with me. ?
Every one of your suggestions, thoughts instructions and experience have calmed me down and given me hope that I can get through this w my cob and his sudden thuggish ways one way or another, whether it's a hormone thing or any of the suggested problems.. Or all.!
My apologies to all for referring to his 'Stallion Ways' when it could be anything, I of course know nothing about stallions other than from those who assume.. ?
I'll reinforce his stable manners even further and be firmer w my demands..
I will be referring to this post regularly as I go along and investigate your suggestions.
Thank you all so much again for not judging and being so interested in my pight with the, soon to be polite 'Ace' and his current 'thugishness'
Stay well..
M x

 

[9tails]

I don't think you have a rig, but rather a quite insecure horse whose life has changed dramatically and is feeling rather out of his depth. Maybe he felt he didn't have enough space, but knocking you over was very bad manners. You will get better at reading warning signs, he may need to be handled a bit firmer. For now, don't let him get away with anything but at the same time be consistent. For instance, if he nudges for a treat one day and you think it's cute, it's unfair to tell him off the following day.

 

[HeyMich]

You have all hit the nail on the head for me, with every sinfle post. Thank you for your polite and knowledgeable responses and staying with me. ?
Every one of your suggestions, thoughts instructions and experience have calmed me down and given me hope that I can get through this w my cob and his sudden thuggish ways one way or another, whether it's a hormone thing or any of the suggested problems.. Or all.!
My apologies to all for referring to his 'Stallion Ways' when it could be anything, I of course know nothing about stallions other than from those who assume.. ?
I'll reinforce his stable manners even further and be firmer w my demands..
I will be referring to this post regularly as I go along and investigate your suggestions.
Thank you all so much again for not judging and being so interested in my pight with the, soon to be polite 'Ace' and his current 'thugishness'
Stay well..
M x

If you like books (I do, I'm slightly addicted to buying horsey books, and still learn from them every day) then see if you can get a copy of Kelly Marks' book, called Perfect Manners (how you should behave so your horse does too), or something along those lines. I have read it cover to cover and it really helped a few years ago when I got my first horse (as an actual responsible adult without a parent helping every step of the way!). All of the share horses I had had up until then were perfectly behaved, and I felt overwhelmed that the horse I had just bought was my responsibility and it was down to me to instill the correct manners. The book really helped. Other books and other trainers/techniques are available, of course.

 

[Orangehorse]

Kelly Marks books are good. The TTouch person should be good too, it will find out if there are any places he doesn't like to be touched, and where he does like to be touched! Linda Tellington-Jones dealt with lots of difficult horses so they may be willing to help you with ground manners.

 

[Henry02]

Could be worth getting a rig test done for peace of mind. Should cost around £400

 

[ycbm]

Could be worth getting a rig test done for peace of mind. Should cost around £400

The test costs €80 in Ireland and the rest is just drawing blood and sending it off Total cost shouldn't be more than £200 tops, surely?

In this case, better spent on a trainer, imo.
.

 

[Henry02]

The test costs €80 in Ireland and the rest is just drawing blood and sending it off Total cost shouldn't be more than £200 tops, surely?

In this case, better spent on a trainer, imo.
.

I have no idea where the £400 came from... it should have been £100. All I can think of is my stupid phone playing games!