Handling a weanling - advice please.

aimeetb

aimeetb

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Hi all,

So my weanling filly is now 7 months, I've had her just over a month, she is generally a very good girl to be handled, comes in at night where she gets a nice groom, rugs on and off, feet picked out nicely, rubbed and sratched all over etc, really a pleasure but the last few weeks when leading her in sometimes she takes to having a bronk on the end of the lead rope!

She doesnt try to go anywhere just has a mini explosion when she doesn't like something for example, it happens when coming into the stable she walks really quickly to get in and when I insist on slowing down she gets stroppy and sometimes BOOM! Explosion, or after she has turned round to shut the field gate and I ask her to walk on again BOOM! You get the picture!

I am trying a few different things to see what works but any other suggestions would be appreciated, so far I have:

1. Ignored her completely and carried on walking, she did 2 then stopped and carried on walking but she has continued to do it some nights.

2. Gave her a tug on the headcollar again no better.

3. Tried pullig her round to me but as above.

4. Someone said get a bit aggressive, growl at her and stomp towards her (bully her a bit) tried this last night and it just scared her more than anything and she ended up quite upset (as did I - I did not like doing this to her) and just ignored me when I asked for anything then and was really stressy in the stable when we got in.

I think I am now going to try staying very quiet and calm and when she walks too fast - small circles and if she bronks just go back to the field and walk her in again until she does it nicely (its a field right next to the barn so not far) What do you guys think?? Whatever I do I would really like it to be a calm and quiet approach I dont want to develop a scared or stressed out horse!

Thanks and sorry its long as usual! xx:o
 
To be honest it is completely normal behaviour and nothing to be overly concerned about. That said, you don't want her doing it when she's bigger.

When you think about it, if she missbehaved with mum, her mum would've swung her head at her and if within reach, given her a little nip... so there is nothing much wrong in the 4th option you tried last night but perhaps you don't need to be as extreme. litterally, turn on her, stamp your feet and grow tall with your hands on your hips, looking her directly in the eye. the instant she stops, turn away and ask her to walk on... give her a rub when she does and carry on...
 
Dually or similar headcollar, sharp tug and no and stand still when she does it - when she stops and is good THEN walk on.

You need to nip this in the bud before she grows too big and it gets very dangerous.
 
Do you think? Makes sense, maybe I'll just tone it down like you say.

If she is still doing it when she's older I'd pop a pressure halter or similar on just not whilst she's a baby.

Thanks CBFan, you always seem to help me out, you and a few others are becoming like my oracles! LOL x
 
Ive got a foal same age, like yours generally good, the first thing i taught her was to back up as I find that helps me out of a lot of situations like naughtiness with front legs etc

I tend to circle them and make them back up if any horse tries to bolt off, including the foals, if they look like they are just not listening a quick prod somewhere fleshy with the thumb can bring them back to listening again without too much upset.

Youll probably find that if your consistant in a couple of weeks she will get the message and get bored of her behaviour. With foals they seem to not be getting the message but all of a sudden it clicks and they are fine.
 
Thanks for the reply McNaughty, I do think they are very good but would rather wait to use the pressure until she's a bit older, do think you make a good point about sorting it before it goes too far so wouldnt wait too long if its not resolving itself, I think combining your sharp No and tug with CBFan's stance/stamp may be a good way forward, thanks again x

P.S CBFan, glad to hear its quite normal! Phew, I hate to think I'm not doing the best for her! x
 
Weanlings are on a steep learning curve: they've spent most of their lives with Mum - now they're on their own. You need to replace Mum - and be someone they have confidence and trust in BEFORE you can start educating them properly! So coming down on them like a ton of bricks is NOT the way to go.

Lead with a long line - and gloves. If she runs on a bit, let her - then check her back a bit. Reward her for good behaviour (all mine LOVE a good scratch on the wither) - and turn a blind eye to all but the most extreme naughtiness.

Don't experiment with different handling methods - you'll just confuse her. Be quietly consistent and as she gets more confident in you - and understands what you want - she'll improve nicely.
 
Thanks JanetGeorge,

Similar thing to CBFan (with the replacing Mum idea)? I really didnt like being so harsh on her last night especially since for a baby she is really impeccably behaved, I wonder sometimes whether I have come to expect too much of her as she is usually so good.

So mixing a few of these, is the general concensous to be calm, walk in steady and if she does her bronk maybe just turn square at her and give her a firm look and stance then carry on when she stops and give her a scratch?

As I say she isnt bad she doesnt try to go anywhere she just does it by your side! x
 
JanetGeorge, Maesfen, more of the oracles along with CBFan that always seem to help me.

thanks very much for the fab advice everybody, really useful as usual :) x

EDIT

Just wanted to say, didnt mean to leave anyone out (not that anyone with be bothered I'm sure - just me being a worrier!), PurplePickle and McNaughty thank you for your fab advice too all really very useful just meant to say that three noted above have given me some other excellent advice on other matters too (and on other posts i have happended to read!) please dont think I dont value all of your advice!

Thank you all very much x
 
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JanetGeorge said:
Weanlings are on a steep learning curve: they've spent most of their lives with Mum - now they're on their own. You need to replace Mum - and be someone they have confidence and trust in BEFORE you can start educating them properly! So coming down on them like a ton of bricks is NOT the way to go.

Lead with a long line - and gloves. If she runs on a bit, let her - then check her back a bit. Reward her for good behaviour (all mine LOVE a good scratch on the wither) - and turn a blind eye to all but the most extreme naughtiness.

Don't experiment with different handling methods - you'll just confuse her. Be quietly consistent and as she gets more confident in you - and understands what you want - she'll improve nicely.
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The poster above has forgotten more about foals then I'll ever know! but thats what I do. My huge unhandled feral foal has been with me for nearly 3 weeks. Hes gone from being terrified (wall of death when I went in the box) to totally shut down, to pretty much normal foal behaviour. I'm very aware given his past that getting tough with him would be detrimental to him. I ignore the 'bad' behaviour, and praise the good. He does still on occasion lose the plot and panic. When he does that, I wait it out until hes in a place where he can listen to me again, and then calmly reiterate what it is he needs to do until he does it, at which point I heap rewards upon him.

We had a huge paddy about going back in the stable tonight. It started as a simple refusal to go in and when I continued to ask immediately escalated into leaping about etc. It would have been easy to assume he was being naughty and come across in a heavy handed way. But he wasn't being naughty, I asked him to do something he didn't want to do, he didn't want to go in, not because he was frightened, but because he'd just had a fabulous time going for a walk and meeting other people and ponies :D But because there isnt the trust there yet, he panicked. I just kept hold, remained where I was standing while point blank ignoring him, waited till he was calm, scritched and fussed him and then asked him to go in the box again. He went in, got more scritches and was left with everyone happy.

I'm laying the ground work for his entire future. He needs to understand that if I ask him to do something nothing bad will happen, in fact it will probably involve good things like scritches etc :D But if he doesnt do as requested I wont stop asking.
 
Dexter said:
I'm laying the ground work for his entire future. He needs to understand that if I ask him to do something nothing bad will happen, in fact it will probably involve good things like scritches etc :D But if he doesnt do as requested I wont stop asking.
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Exactly! I think you know a LOT more about foals than you give yourself credit for!:D
 
JanetGeorge said:
Exactly! I think you know a LOT more about foals than you give yourself credit for!:D
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Thanks! I am thrilled by how well feral foal is doing :D I'll bear that fabulous compliment in mind come January when I'm knee deep in mud and considering giving them all up and buying a bloody hamster! :D
 
Great advice above - as foals grow into their personalities they do start to try new stuff like having a mad moment and not doing what asked of them. If you stay calm and be firm and persistent they soon get bored of naughtiness. My weanling sometimes plants/rears up if he doesn fancy doing something and tugging sharply on the headcollar makes him worse-I find just squaring up and looking him in the eye makes him behave. You'll soon get to know what works best for your foal.
Good luck-it's a very rewarding experience raising baby horses!
 
Thank you everyone, I really appreciate the advice and you taking the time to reply! :)

Good news, I dont know whether its because I went to her feeling much more confident and calm in my plans now but she walked in like a dream and when we turned to shut the gate she almost got a bit tense and techy but I just looked at her softly (didn't turn on her or anything) and said come on then and she just thought better of it and carried on like a lamb, bless her!

I know it wont be like this all the time but maybe now that I have it sorted in my mind it filtered through to her, maybe she was getting vibes from me before that I was ready to deal with something rather than just bringing her in!

Thanks again everyone, it my first horse younger than 2 and I just want to get it right for her but i am really enjoying it! x
 
I think babies sometimes struggle to grasp new routines and doing adult things like stopping to secure gates etc... sometimes anythings an excuse to misbehave... they do grow out of it eventually though!

Good luck and well done! sounds like you're making good progress.!

and p.s. while dually's and other controller headcollars are great (and I use one) I wouldn't use it unless it was a last resort...especially on a young head.
 
Learning to yield to pressure is probably the most important lesson in any equine's life. The principle of yielding to pressure is constant throughout its working life. Foals can easily be gently taught this at an early age and, as a result, become easy and mannerly to handle.

Problems may arise when youngsters behave naturally, say by pulling or jumping about, and are subjected to attempts to restrain them. In such circumstances they learn their own strength very quickly and, in some cases, may quickly learn that boisterous behaviour is rewarded.

Further problems can occur when the handler uses some form of pressure halter without fully understanding the principles of its correct use. In fact, some people see them as methods of correction and punishment rather than a training aid, and this has very dire consequences for a relationship based on trust and fairness.

I train all my youngsters, and quite a few belonging to other people, using gentle pressure, giving the animal every opportunity to learn how to yield to it rather than fight it as their instinct dictates they do, and they learn very quickly that life without pressure is preferable. That sets them up for all the other lessons they will have to learn throughout their training.
 
aimeetb said:
Good news, I dont know whether its because I went to her feeling much more confident and calm in my plans now but she walked in like a dream and when we turned to shut the gate she almost got a bit tense and techy but I just looked at her softly (didn't turn on her or anything) and said come on then and she just thought better of it and carried on like a lamb, bless her!

I know it wont be like this all the time
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:D No - it WON'T be like this all the time - the little so-and-so's like to lull you into a false sense of security and then give you massive headaches! I've just weaned 3 little poppets - 2 colts, Mr. Darcy and Galaxy - and a filly, Sweet Caroline. Before weaning I could catch any of them in the field without a moment's trouble. NOW, Sweet Caroline and Galaxy have decided I'm a MONSTER who took their Mummies away - and they HATE me! :rolleyes: I can just about catch them in the very large stable they're sharing - but trying to catch them in the manege after playtime - forget it! Thankfully, Mr Darcy still loves me so I catch him and let the other two follow - they'll get over it! (I hope!)
 
JanetGeorge said:
:D No - it WON'T be like this all the time - the little so-and-so's like to lull you into a false sense of security and then give you massive headaches! I've just weaned 3 little poppets - 2 colts, Mr. Darcy and Galaxy - and a filly, Sweet Caroline. Before weaning I could catch any of them in the field without a moment's trouble. NOW, Sweet Caroline and Galaxy have decided I'm a MONSTER who took their Mummies away - and they HATE me! :rolleyes: I can just about catch them in the very large stable they're sharing - but trying to catch them in the manege after playtime - forget it! Thankfully, Mr Darcy still loves me so I catch him and let the other two follow - they'll get over it! (I hope!)
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hahaha! This did make me laugh!!

I can just imagine her walking sweetly thinking - ha silly sod thinks she's cracked it but as soon as she isnt looking!!

JG - From other posts I've read of yours, I'm sure it wont take you long to nip this in the bud! xx
 
JanetGeorge said:
Weanlings are on a steep learning curve: they've spent most of their lives with Mum - now they're on their own. You need to replace Mum - and be someone they have confidence and trust in BEFORE you can start educating them properly! So coming down on them like a ton of bricks is NOT the way to go.

Lead with a long line - and gloves. If she runs on a bit, let her - then check her back a bit. Reward her for good behaviour (all mine LOVE a good scratch on the wither) - and turn a blind eye to all but the most extreme naughtiness.

Don't experiment with different handling methods - you'll just confuse her. Be quietly consistent and as she gets more confident in you - and understands what you want - she'll improve nicely.
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I agree - except for using a long line. Please don't. Close is safe.
 
It can be dangerous for the handler to have a boisterous horse on a short lead rope. If the horse tries to run off, the handler can find themself pulled into a position where the horse could kick with the hind legs. If the horse is running onto the handler, or is inclined to rear, the handler is drawn into the danger zone where a front foot could do damage.

When working a youngster on a long rope, the handler has more room to stay safe, and the horse can be allowed a bit of rope rather than restrained by a test of strength.
 
amymay said:
I agree - except for using a long line. Please don't. Close is safe.
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Have to agree with Amy. Close is far safer.
Think of the analogy of kicking; it's far safer to be close then as you only get half power of the kick whereas if you had been further away, you get the full force which is very much more painful believe me, I talk from experience! :(

Watch the old showmen when they are showing youngsters; you won't see them letting it all go. You'll see them hold close, near the chin but with a loose 'rider's hand and elbow' in that it moves with the horse as it would if you were riding it so there is no restriction of the paces, it can still show itself off well with normal balance and won't be twisted around the handler either. If any of them go to go up then usually, they'll slip the lead then reel them straight back in again and walk straight on. You won't ever see them allowing the youngster to forge ahead of them on a loose lead from choice as it's far too easy for them to turn their back end on you, kick out as they go and catch you or someone else a good'un on the way. I used to be a 'let loose' person until they taught me to keep close and it seems a much safer place to be; I still always have a longer lead rope with either a loop or a knob on the end just as a safety precaution for being able to hang on to the dang thing if it does try to get away; most embarrassing if you're at a show! ;)
 
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amymay said:
I agree - except for using a long line. Please don't. Close is safe.
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Close IS safer (most of the time!) When a youngster is rearing above your head, it's not! When you just don't have the strength to hang on to a short length and you're at the end of a short rope, it's not! And when you're only option is to pull a youngster up short - perhaps tipping it over in the process - maybe on concrete - OR letting go, then it's not!

In the vast majority of cases where things go wrong, a long line gives you the option to KEEP a youngster short - or get out of harm's way quickly without losing control altogether!
 
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