Help please with young bolshy cob!!!!!!!

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Bright Eyes

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I have a 4 year old unbroken cob, who I think, thinks he is in charge and to some degree is getting the upper hand. He has always had a bit of a stuben streak and is very think skinned. He wouldn`t lead very well when I first got him at 4, but this was just because he had never been led around and I found myself having to use my whip quite alot to get him to walk on, etc. I don` t know if this made him a bit sour, but he seems to be more of a problem when I take him in the school, which is where I started this training. Not long after that he tried to bomb off and got away with it the once! Then I noticed he did a bit of a threaten to kick when asking him to walk on. Then when leading in the school he just wouldn` t turn in the direction we were going and in stead would turn towards me and the fence and sort of crush me against it. Then he started trying to nip (which I think was about the polos he had had before - so stopped these - he sort of gets aggressive if he thinks you have sweats in your pocket), but now when leading he tries to bite my hand, which seamed to start when I put the monty roberts head collar on and he would try and bit the nose strap, which hangs down. He also often when leading shakes his head before he does something and if he`s not trying to do one of the above it`s another.

He uses his strength against me and I have tried most things, but I think if I get too cross with him he will get worse/ become aggressive. Any ideas please???????????????
 
Get some serious help soon! It sounds as if he has the measure of you and once you loose confidence it is hard to turn the balance of power back to you. There are some very good people on here who can help you or look/ask locally for people recommended by word of mouth. Where are you based? I bet someone on here will recommend someone. Invest a little now and you will save a lot later!
 
That was truely sound advice from misst. You need to show him that you are the boss ,but without violence. Never start a battle without being sure and prepared to win. For example if a horse messes about when led ,lead him in a bridle so that you have a chance to win. Hope this makes sense.
 
My boy turned really bolshy over the last few months, to the point that I was the only one who would handle him, he was rude, obnoxious, bolshy, pushy, ignored any command, got angry - ears back and stomped his foot when he was told off, and was very mouthy over the stable door. I had to go back to the drawing board because nothing was really working. I decided to have a go at clicker training, day 4 and he is respecting my space, backing up, halting and walking on when asked, and not mugging people for fuss or food. He has changed dramatically in a short space of time, and this was with a max of 20 mins training a day, split into 2 - 3 sessions a day. I have been really impressed with its effectiveness. But, do your research, invest in a good book, look online, you tube for examples of its use, and there are quite a few sites and blogs. If you decide to do it, make sure you have a good understanding of what you are doing, and why.
 
As mentioned above, get some serious help quickly.

I watched a guy in the stable next to ours allow a young bolshy cob turn into an absolute monster. They too tried using a whip and then treats to get him to co-operate, without really knowing what they were doing. We are not on this yard anymore but I dont think he is any different now. They had to bribe him into the stable, into the field, out of the stable etc etc. I watched one night while it planted half in, half out of the stable for half an hour, totally ignoring its owner. If they tried to force any issues it started to attack them.

I'm sure someone on here can recommend someone to help you.
 
Suggest you get the Kelly Marks book perfect manners. Really helpful. As others have said get some help from someone with experience of young cobs too. You need clear rules for everything but not a good idea to be aggressive or use a whip as punishment as it does make them aggressive back or at least very angry and sour. Praise works wonders. Clear consistent rules are best and simply keep on moving out of your space quietly each time.
 
Get tough, he is probably ready to be broken I suggest you send him off and get the job done, no professional will let him off with his nonsense, he needs to know who is the boss, you both need training!
No treats, no whips.
 
I bought a young Irish Draught who had had little handling. I struggled on my own with the aid of books but it was only when I sought help from one of Monty Roberts/Kelly Marks RAs that I began to make progress. I also sent him to Michael Peace for some intensive work and he is now a lovely 11 year old.
 
my cob was really bad when he was a baby, hes 14 now and is gentle and sweet. i would recommend a lot of handling in the stable. find pressure point on his chest and make him to a lap in his stable in reverse (just get him listening to you) pick up feet until he is completely at ease, throw rugs on and off, saddle on and off and all over his body, i use to run flyers saddle all over his neck, body, bum and legs. then bridle on and bridle off, these are all things youve proberly done a hundred times but its about doing them until he knows your in charge, once he gets a bit of respect for you and is backing off, try just leading and bending him around you and away from you, get someone to lean you over his back for short periods and loose school him in your arena trying to get a connection with him. oh and through all this lots of wither scratching and grooming (no treats tho if is nipping). hope this helps it worked with mine.
 
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