Having ‘the easy youngster’

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Gingersugarpuff

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So my horse is a youngster - 2 next year.

He’s a gelding and very nonplussed with pretty much everything. The yard being dug up for a new drain? Whatever

A whole new barn being built opposite his stable and all the associated people / noises / machinery etc? Whatever

Farrier, physio, vet and a saddle fitter (not for mine but someone else’s horse) all love him and say he’s such a chilled boy.

There are quite a few other horses on the yard and a few other youngsters similar age (different breed - mines a heavy baby)

Recently (about a month ago) turnout got restricted to every other day and only 6 hours on the days they are out. Youngster is still very much ‘whatever’

Recently been having comments along the lines of ‘wonder when his Kevin’s will start’, ‘You’ve got lucky with him, sure your luck will end soon’, ‘he’s lulling you into a false sense of security’, ‘he won’t be that easy forever’

Has anyone else ever had a super easy baby? He just is completely unbothered by anything, in for days no turnout, heavy machinery digging up in front of his stable, handled by kids and complete novices In just a headcollar, loves people (he’s become all the builders favourite apparently and they’ve been buying carrots, polos and apples specifically for my horse as he’s happy to see them and share a brew and mince pie) just very generally happy to be here and his first instinct with things like the orange building wall/barriers etc is to go check it out.

Can walk him out on a hack with ridden ones in just a headcollar and he’s seen pigs, cows, tractors, alpacas and he’s never put a toe out of line always just been more curious and wanted to get more involved and investigate more.

Getting a bit worried re all the comments about he’s too easy and to expect change imminently. He is my first youngster having always bought more established ‘been there and done that’ horses. Said horses were always a bit more worried and stressed by changes such as restricted turnout and things changing like building works so I have found my youngster and his attitude a huge breath of fresh air and more like a big dog - really enjoyed it.

Would really appreciate some experiences from you especially if you’ve had such a laid back unflappable youngster and if they have indeed got the Kevin’s and / or developed a change of personality?
 
In general I would say:
- Feisty, independent young ones make the nicest adults: self confident, not spooky, happy to look after the rider, happy to make their own decisions. Not had one of those have a Kevin moment later - they seem to get it allll out aged 2 or thereabouts!
- Sweet, calm, biddable youngsters often prefer to follow when backed. They take more work to get confident trusting their own judgement, going alone, dealing with new things or scary fillers. Their whole ‘childhood’ consisted of happily following others’ instructions/wishes so making choices for themselves can be scary. I have had the Kevin’s, such as they are, present at backing with these, due to anxiety causing them to challenge the instructions given. Once over that ‘hump’ they have been lovely.
- ‘normal’ young ones - neither too feisty or too calm, tend to have their Kevin’s around 5yo when they come into their adult strength without yet having an adult brain. Mares particularly, around the winter they turn 5 - whether backed or not.

It all depends on their personality, on their bond with you, on the boundaries you have set and kept as they have grown up.
 
I've had my boy since he was 7 months and he is was the most chilled baby ever, still is at 8yrs old.
I think a lot of it is down to the owner....if they are unflappable, the horse will be too.

I was told the same things as you, i was also told at age 6 he would become and opinionated so and so and have tantrums, like a teenager.........it never happened!
Having never had a foal, or even broken a young horse, I did everything myself with him and he is now incredible, bold, brave and will turn his hoof to anything.

My boy experienced everything as a baby and never put a hoof out of line, because i didn't make a big deal out of things. I get commented on all the time about how good he is and that he is a credit to me.
I count myself very lucky
:)

Keep doing what you are doing!!
 
My old boy was a super sweet 3/4/5 year old much like yours nothing faced him.
6/7/8 he was to put it bluntly an a*hole, in those years I seriously questioned my life choices as at times he was just horrible but once we got passed 8 he was honestly the most loveliest boy. You could stick your gran on him or jump 1.20m competitively he was honestly worth his weight in gold. I sadly lost him last year aged 25, don’t think I’ll find another like him.
 
The only youngster I ever broke myself was a completely chilled and easy baby. He turned into a completely chilled and easy adult.

I dont recall a single 'Kevin' stage.

He had a few 'this is very scary. I need you to hold my hand' moments and a few 'I find this really boring, do I have to?' moments.

No 'Kevin' moments.
 
I 50% created one through hours of groundwork and training and 50% got lucky that he had a good brain. The plan was to send him off to be backed as I've not done it since I was a teenager and I'm not a particularly good rider, but he was so chilled I did it all myself at home, took him hacking and he could have babied something else from day one. However had I not been so committed to training and ensuring he had positive experiences etc he could have easily gone the other way, as a scared rising 3yo off the lorry from Ireland he did give me rope burn a few times, jumped a fence, was bolshy and kicked me once but it was all short lived and was all fear, not nastiness.

He has had a couple patches since of becoming trickier for a period, but it has so far been directly linked with being uncomfortable, the first being a saddle that didn't fit so well and the most recent I think being due to being a bit ulcery.
 
I have a youngster like this too. It's really nice to have an 'old head on young shoulders'. I've always been quite unflappable myself (or so people have told me!) and my older boy is pretty much now the same so I thought he was following suit with him. He has had a little spook at things out and about, like the waterfall that appeared in the trees off the hill but we had a laugh and he kept walking. Every time we see it now he's not bothered at all. In fact, I would say he maybe has a 'nicer' personality in comparison to my older lad who is an absolute chancer and smart with it! It's only now in his twenties he's mellowed. For instance, if you leave the stable door ajar one time too many with my older boy, he will make a run for it if your backs turned 😅 I noticed I left the youngster's door open slightly the other week and he just had his head looking down poking out of the space 😅 I think he's the more forgiving type. Anyway, never mind what folk say, yes they do normally 'wake up' a bit around 5years but if you have a decent type with good honest temperament then I don't see why that would change much.
 
My buckskin connie was super easy, some of you will remember bady dun. As a youngster he never really bothered about anything. Backing and riding away was easy. First competitions were easy, never bothered about dressage boards or fillers.
He is 13 now and doing the job of a safe sane allrounder (focus on dressage) for a lady in her senior years. He is adored for his easy personalityH
When he was about 5 years old our yard had an equine communicator visit. I wasn't a believer but joined in for the fun. She walked into his stable and immediately said he was a very unusual pony, with a soul at least 200 years old. My only real question was is he happy? His answer - yes no problems life is easy and he feels valued and loved.
 
Sounds like your setting him up to be a well balanced individual who has experienced lots of new things while they are all fun and interesting to explore instead of waiting until they are older, bigger, harder to handle and you and your horse feed off each others fears or nerves.

Both my current youngsters are a bit like yours as they have been around all sorts of things since day one.

Keep doing what your doing and enjoy showing and teaching your boy new things.

like @smolmaus says it's likely a touch of the green eyed monster.
 
This is the sort of thing I would say 🤣 but with no malice intended! I've just been that person myself too many times with my 'perfect' 4yo and then spent 18 months wondering where it all went wrong when they hit the 5/6yo stage and I spend a lot of time admiring them from the ground where I landed 🙃 I certainly wouldn't mean it as a criticism and I'm sorry if people are berating you in that tone 😞 but for me it's more of a "ah we've all been there, the joys of youngsters eh" - bit of a friendly heads-up for when/if the 'teenage' phase does kick in and you start questioning what happened to your lovely solid youngster! Of course some never do go through that phase, but if they do it can be reassuring to know you're not alone, haven't done anything terribly wrong, it's relatively normal and you will come out the other side unscathed with a lovely horse!
 
I bought a rising 5yo to back, he was sharp as sh*t and remains neurotic. I then bought a 2yo colt as a “handy companion” who is now rising 5 and lightly backed. He’s been easy peasy since the word go. He’s not a dobbin type either, but so straightforward, I keep expecting the Kevin’s but they haven’t come yet. When I bought him he hadn’t been in anything but a stock trailer/lorry with others “I don’t know what he’ll do” said seller - on he walked to my ifor like he’d done it all before. I kept him entire until the spring he was 3 as it was such a wet muddy winter & he continued to be a dude. I backed him completely solo in about 3 weeks this summer (he’d done a fair bit of ground work on and off in the months leading up) and he just didn’t bat an eyelid. I kept thinking “how do I know what he’s like if he blows up/has a fright …” but it didn’t happen 😂 unfortunately he’s had a mystery field accident and done himself some pretty bad ligament damage so he’s now on field rest until at least September 26… so we’ll see if I get the same game for anything little welshie back in then or a gremlin 🤣 he coped pretty well with box rest & rehab though, the odd grumpy face and a little bit spirited to handle but to be expected I thought - he’d have handled every other day out quite happily like yours I think!

Anywho yes, some youngsters are just dudes imo!
 
Hmmmhh, TBH OP I wondering if you are overthinking this; and/or listening to public opinion too much??

You've got a cracking youngster: it's feeling too good to be true, and it's also feeling like everyone around you is being the Proverbial Prophets of Doom and telling you it ain't gonna last. But what you've done is actually probably a combination of several factors: firstly that you've got a genuinely nice youngster who is mega-easy, and yes that can be due to temperament and management. But it can also mean that you have just cracked on and done an excellent job of bringing your baby on; also it might indicate as well that someone else before you did a good job too!!

After I'd bought my little coblet mare as a sweet just-backed 4yo (profile pic), a previous owner who'd had her at 18 months (and who's existence I had no idea of) reached out to me as they'd seen me put a pic on FB with a particular brand of saddle on, locally, and she'd recognised the pony. Apparently she'd been "quite capable of double-barrelling someone" at that age - and this is a pony who lets the cats rub up against her back legs!!

Also one of my liveries bought a very green 2yo, we all suspected it had been doped tbh as its behaviour when it got back to the yard was totally different to that described by the seller. This pony had gone through a disproportionate number of different homes before it came to my yard. On two occasions it literally ran through the owner and knocked her down in the field. She had a well-known "Trainer" visit the yard. This pony was a nightmare. However my livery worked hard on groundwork & building confidence, and sent it away for professional backing. It actually IS in the process of becoming a really nice little riding pony. Owner had even considered the PTS option if it couldn't be sorted.

So OP, be proud of your achievement, and all the very best with your youngster, we look forward to hearing more in future! Well done.
 
My home-bred Felix is totally laid back and will never change, I am certain. His only issue will be that he's not massively motivated to ever really move much so will probably be a bit of a plod. Which suits his new owner down to the ground - she wants a safe weight carrying horse to hunt and hack. And will never go out alone anyway. He's already happily hacking with others.

My other home-bred Mylo is 2 and also appears to be totally straight forward, though with a lot more about him. (He's calm without being la).

Some horses just have good brains. Enjoy your lovely uncomplicated youngster!
 
The main thing is to not despair IF they do go through a kevin phase. Just ride it out (metaphorically and possibly literally lol) and reassure yourself that the nice, chilled youngster is still in there and will be back, just give it time, patience and firm boundaries. All the work you put in now will pay dividends, even if there is to be a moody stage in-between 😃
 
Rabbit is my 2.5 year old youngster and I have had my fair share of the same comments as you x

He is pretty much unflappable in the sense that Baggs my older horse can be loosing his marbles, and Rabbit's just stood there like "What's up with you dude" 🤣

When I first got him, I made a point of reminding myself that he is to end up being my ridden horse (all being well!) and that theoretically there is no point in treating him any different to an unbacked older horse. So everything that I did with Baggs, I did with Rabbit. It really helped having Baggs as Rabbit could have the confidence of another horse, and on the odd occasion Rabbit could give confidence to Baggs!

As of this point in time he can do pretty much everything a backed horse can do bar being lunged, long reined, being ridden and standing at a mounting block (he's a mummy's boy and likes to turn around and face me, so it's currently a work in progress aha!).

We've had a few teething issues recently, but they've all resolved themselves within a few days and as I was going through them I've reminded myself of the horse he was before the minor setback, and that we will get back to where we were beforehand. He will be a bit more bargy with my Mum than me as she is quite soft with him (she's getting better though) and to give Rabbit credit, when he was extremely poorly a few months ago, he had a ton of blood samples taken, was prodded to within an inch of his life and put up with a hell of a lot and didn't put a single hoof out of line x

I've done a fair bit with him and everyone on the yard totally adores how chilled he is - if I can't get to the yard my friends are falling over themselves offering to help bring him and Baggs in aha! Rabbit from day dot when I met him was a chilled character and even with me stood right behind him and patting his bottom (not recommended but done in the interests of getting him used to things touching him from behind!) he didn't budge - in fact he rested a back leg, sighed, licked his lips and proceeded to stand there as if to say "Oh for goodness sake woman what crap are you up to now?!" 🤣 Throughout my entire time of having him, he's always been the one who is chilled with not much phasing him. If something does bother him, he will want to go and investigate to see what the scary thing is x

I am quite firm with my boundaries and I do believe that it will pay off in the long run, as he is going to be a big horse so I want him to be as nice a person as possible. He's also incredibly intelligent so it's a balancing act of doing enough with him without overdoing things. I do switch between teaching him life lessons in a headcollar and a rope halter, as I plan on riding him bitless, so I need to train him in such a way that he reacts calmly off the gentlest of pressure x

From what I have read, it sounds like they are a mix of jealous at how chilled your youngster is and also a mix of trying to inform you that things could easily change (although there are better ways of saying the latter!) x I remember having a conversation once where I was told that Rabbit would eventually change and become a total pig in general, to which I asked why would they say such a thing, and it turns out that the person was trying to look out for me, but didn't know how to use the right words without having it sound like they thought I was living in la la land x

Keep your head up and be proud of the wonderful youngster you've moulded so far x
 
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He sounds very sweet, but I would have to question the suitability of keeping a yearling on an average of 3 hours turnout per day- that’s 42 out of every 48 hours stood in a small box. Whilst he may be coping mentally, it’s not good for him physically, especially a heavier breed that is going to need good bone density
 
Gingersugarpuff said:
So my horse is a youngster - 2 next year.

He’s a gelding and very nonplussed with pretty much everything. The yard being dug up for a new drain? Whatever

A whole new barn being built opposite his stable and all the associated people / noises / machinery etc? Whatever

Farrier, physio, vet and a saddle fitter (not for mine but someone else’s horse) all love him and say he’s such a chilled boy.

There are quite a few other horses on the yard and a few other youngsters similar age (different breed - mines a heavy baby)

Recently (about a month ago) turnout got restricted to every other day and only 6 hours on the days they are out. Youngster is still very much ‘whatever’

Recently been having comments along the lines of ‘wonder when his Kevin’s will start’, ‘You’ve got lucky with him, sure your luck will end soon’, ‘he’s lulling you into a false sense of security’, ‘he won’t be that easy forever’

Has anyone else ever had a super easy baby? He just is completely unbothered by anything, in for days no turnout, heavy machinery digging up in front of his stable, handled by kids and complete novices In just a headcollar, loves people (he’s become all the builders favourite apparently and they’ve been buying carrots, polos and apples specifically for my horse as he’s happy to see them and share a brew and mince pie) just very generally happy to be here and his first instinct with things like the orange building wall/barriers etc is to go check it out.

Can walk him out on a hack with ridden ones in just a headcollar and he’s seen pigs, cows, tractors, alpacas and he’s never put a toe out of line always just been more curious and wanted to get more involved and investigate more.

Getting a bit worried re all the comments about he’s too easy and to expect change imminently. He is my first youngster having always bought more established ‘been there and done that’ horses. Said horses were always a bit more worried and stressed by changes such as restricted turnout and things changing like building works so I have found my youngster and his attitude a huge breath of fresh air and more like a big dog - really enjoyed it.

Would really appreciate some experiences from you especially if you’ve had such a laid back unflappable youngster and if they have indeed got the Kevin’s and / or developed a change of personality?
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When the kids were riding I used to buy just sat on and walked up the lane. I always bought for temperament, one went hunting at four and was giving the Master's horse leads over a ditches, I think he scrambled in and out of them. I think as long as you never over face them or avoid situations where they can get the upper hand they do not change. The good ones that do get sour are usually pushed too much too soon because everyone thinks it will always be easy for them, and then they create a battle.
 
Mine was pretty much unflappable, from the age of 2 to 26. He did have the occasional moment, and he was frightened of pigs, but apart from that he just took life everyday with "what are we doing today?" He did get excising sometimes, (shows, fun rides) but having ridden other horses since I wish all horses were like him.
 
This thread has made me feel better. Reading about everyone’s Kevin stages.

At home my 2yo colt has always been an ANGEL. Wouldn’t know he’s got his plums, a sweetie pie angel baby. Had colic, went for surgery, great feedback from hospital, got a bit snappy about his food, but we were just letting that blow over.

My shoulder took a huge turn a few weeks ago and I could drive. The ladies rallied together to keep him whole. And he’s been a first class brat. 😩 nothing too terrible, just walking into them, getting nibbley (I think they may have resorted to bribery! But I’m not knocking anyone he’s in one piece). I’ve returned and after a few quick discussions order is restored but now we are rethinking our arrangements for my future surgery! 😬🙃 silly pony.

But to address OPs question, I do think especially if their youngsters are currently in the Kevin phase? Jealous. A week okay I would have been 🙃 also, enjoy every moment. He may have his Kevin moment, he may not! Either way they grow up too fast and next think your looking at his baby pictures wondering who this beast in the paddock is! He’ll always be yours even if he’s being a Kevin!
 
4Hoofed said:
This thread has made me feel better. Reading about everyone’s Kevin stages.

At home my 2yo colt has always been an ANGEL. Wouldn’t know he’s got his plums, a sweetie pie angel baby. Had colic, went for surgery, great feedback from hospital, got a bit snappy about his food, but we were just letting that blow over.

My shoulder took a huge turn a few weeks ago and I could drive. The ladies rallied together to keep him whole. And he’s been a first class brat. 😩 nothing too terrible, just walking into them, getting nibbley (I think they may have resorted to bribery! But I’m not knocking anyone he’s in one piece). I’ve returned and after a few quick discussions order is restored but now we are rethinking our arrangements for my future surgery! 😬🙃 silly pony.

But to address OPs question, I do think especially if their youngsters are currently in the Kevin phase? Jealous. A week okay I would have been 🙃 also, enjoy every moment. He may have his Kevin moment, he may not! Either way they grow up too fast and next think your looking at his baby pictures wondering who this beast in the paddock is! He’ll always be yours even if he’s being a Kevin!
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I resonate with this so much - Rabbit my 2.5 year old is a total dude for me and anyone else, but a right gremlin at times for my poor Mum x Turns out she had resorted to some nice bribery aha! x

The last part gave me a lump in my throat - I said the exact same thing to my friend this morning - I was like "Where has my 8 month old colt gone - I've got this T-rex of a horse in my field - I kinda want him to stay a bubba forever" 🥹 x
 
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