Grumpy yearling, help!!!

[karlene]

my yearling has all of a sudden decided he's now grumpy! from the day he was born he has never put a hoof out of place! he's normally so loving and laid back and well mannered but a few weeks ago when going into his stable to put his head collar on he put his ears flat back and tried to bite me! i couldn't believe it!! ever since he's so grumpy, he hasn't tried to bite me again but always puts his ears back for about 10 seconds when first going up to him! does anyone have any advice on what i should do or if you've been in the same boat as me??? i really hope it doesn't stick with him and he ends up a biter :-(

 

[shadowboy]

Is he still entire? Or has his balls dropped?

 

[karlene]

no his been done, he was done as a 9 month old he is now 19 months old

 

[Alfie&Milo]

I wouldn't worry too much unless there's any obvious pain or if he is sore anywhere. I have two babies rising three and between them being a year and a half and two and half one of them has become bitey and a bit of a grump, he tries to assert himself over me often and when I watch them out playing they will spend 85% of the time in the field fighting for boss! I think its just a stage they go through as they're growing up.
I spend time on groundwork teaching him that I am leader and that just because he has a strop doesn't mean he gets his own way with me although you have to give them a bit of leeway as they are babies and learning all the time

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

i think he may just be trying his luck! make sure he has plenty of good hay all the time, and if i was you i would chuck him out 24/7 for a few weeks (make sure he has shelter and is not cold and a friend!) and ignore him! obvs check him twice a day, but dont handle him till he is begging desperately for a fuss! he is into his terrible two stage! when you do handle him make sure you insist on good manners. if you havent time to insist on good manners then dont start the conversation with him..