Hand-reared Horses

alsxx

alsxx

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Reading the post below, a lot of people state that hand reared horses tend to be bolshier/lack respect. Whilst I completely understand the reasons for this, I have one who is no problem at all. Yes she was bolshier as a youngster, and used to think she could play with you, I nipped this in the bud very quickly, and now she is fine.

So is she a one off, or do other people have perfectly normal hand reared horses? Thoughts please!
 
My friend has one with no problems...hand reared from 2 weeks old.
I don't really understand why they would be different as long as they were able to be with other horses asap. My shetland was used as a companion for this chap
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I have a rising two year old, stallion potential, colt, whom I hand reared from four weeks old, after his mother died. He & his mum are the 'blue' dun ponies in my sig.

If I didn't tell people he was hand reared, they would never know, from his behaviour. But then I was aware of the possible pitfalls with hand reareds, and made major efforts not to over humanise him, and to make sure he socialised with his own kind.

The dangers come when people feel sorry for the foals, which is normal, but then turn it into over handling, spending too much time cosseting the foals, and don't give the foals any boundaries, and become their foals playmates. They need to have other youngsters to play with, other (safe) older horses to discipline them, and to have clear boundaries with humans. Much the same as any other youngster really.
 
I was offered one once for free, because he boxed with anyone who went out to catch him and was very dominant the rest of the time. I guess it must depend how they are treated as babies? If you feel sorry for them and let them off too much instead of keeping them in their place like their mother would? Interesting ....
 
my big lad was handreared, he can be a bolshy git with people who dont handle him regularly, he will push his luck and see what he can get away with, but with me he knows his boundaries and 99.9% of the time he does as he is told, sometimes he still tries to 'play' with humans but it isnt very often. he has a very dominant personality so i dont know if he would be like this regardless of him being hand reared.
 
Yes mine had our section B pony for company, he was quite beneficial I suppose as he was company, he was quite playful at times, but he was also older so he would give her a good telling off too! I still have both of them, and they are quite funny to watch, they have a peculiar relationship - she is a natural leader, and top dog in whichever herd she is in (she's not nasty though, just an assertive mare!), however she does as she's told when he's around, even though he will normally be bottom of the pecking order. Very strange!
 
We are almost certain Mick is hand reared. He is fine now, but he had such an attitude problem when I got him as he had run circles round his old owners for 2 years, so he thought I was the new pushover.

I am told from a reliable source, there are 2 sorts of hand rears. The daft playful ones or the ones which are so bolshy they are quite a handful. Luckily Mick is a daft hand rear.

It was explained to me that they don't learn any social skills from their mother - they don't get pushed around or told not to do anything, so they grow up just doing what they want. That was how Mick was when I got him.

Now I understand him and he has ground rules he is amazing. I have people now saying how lovely he is, when 5 years ago they wouldn't give him a second glance. I suppose I should be proud of that but I find it quite annoying.
 
I've got one in for breaking that was hand reared. He wasn't ever spoilt, but took a while longer thana normal pony to understand that I was in control on the ground while lunging and long reining, he just wanted to come in to the middle and be friends. I actually found I had to be quite tough with him for the first couple of weeks (wasn't sure if he was just a bit thick or if it was down to his no natural fear of humans, ie. when lunging the eye/body language not being understood). Now he's backed and ridden away, but it took a bit longer than normal.
 
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lunging and long reining, he just wanted to come in to the middle and be friends.

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Mick still does that now, if I tell him he's a good boy, he comes in. bless him, he is cute.
 
My big lad is 19 now but had an accident as a foal leaving him with injuries to his head ( big hole out of his nose, torn ear) and legs . He was weaned early and hand fed. He is a lovely big boy and recovered 100% from his accident but has absolutely no concept of personal space, he'll try and stand so close he is practically on top of you. He can be very bolshy and has a full repertoire of nasty faces but doesn't follow through. He really means no harm but at 17hh can be a handfull!
 
my little mare was hand reared from 3 months her mum was hit by a car going to paddock I bought her at 18 months old she is now 14 and have never had a minutes trouble with her her adores human company and is very eager to please
 
I have a welsh mountain pony stallion who i hand reared from 6 weeks after his mums milk dried up.He is normal and is 19 this year.
 
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