Help with naughty colt.

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Rogue

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I need help with my 19 month old colt.
He is very cheeky and always knows how to get his own way by rearing up or bolting by turning his head away as he knows I'm a lot weaker holding him back that way. He rears up to make me move when he doesn't get his own way. When I take him to and from the field that's when he's started getting head strong and bolting to get to either the field or the stable. I try holding the head collar with the leadrope over his nose but he rears to get loose and drags me until I let go.

Is there any way I can resolve this issue as I can't lunge the energy out of him as he is too young and I don't want to ruin him at his age.

He is also on calming powder which worked for about two weeks but now he's starting to be a pain again.

Hopefully having him castrated early April.

I need to some how create a bond where he understands that I am the boss; his leader. But the only method I've known to use is the trust build with free lunging.

id appreciate the help. Thank you.
 
Even though he is young I would be using a rubber bit under these circumstances as it sounds dangerous and he is not going to gain respect whilst he is winning. A controller type headcollar like a Dually or similar may also help.
 
The behaviour is established and whilst he is full of hormones and is well aware of how to be a thug you have a problem. Call your vet and cut him tomorrow. When the hormones have died down, start again with a dually and if he was with me, a blue pipe. Spend time instilling halter manners before you move on to any other form of training. Wear a hat, gloves and good boots.
 
Thank you for the advice. I'm determined to turn him into a superstar as I know myself and him have the potential. His behaviour is on and off and I would not want to sell him and know I've failed. I'll keep trying. I'm going to have the vet soon, just waiting on his second ball dropping and hope it doesn't need op.

Thank you for the advice. I know the behaviour is only temporary as most of the time he's an angel
 
His second "ball" should have dropped a very long time ago. Waiting is futile. He will need the surgery to castrate - sooner the better.

As for training, get him bitted and get him in the arena listening to you. If he rears spin him.

I do think you need to contact a trainer here, you don't know what you are doing. Getting a few tips on a forum won't help either cause you need someone there to show you how to confidently use the force. Gelding won't change his behaviour just make him less on edge.
 
I had an unhandled 2 year who did this. I didn't want to bit him so I used a "be nice" halter, honestly it is one of the best things for bargy/strong horses who know their strength. It works on pressure and release so when he is walking quietly it won't be uncomfortable but when he tries to go up or tank off then it will.

Another thing I did was to have a friend help lead, so we would have a person with a lead rope each side and whoever he reared at the other one could pull him away!
 
We have a similar aged chap, and had similar problems as yourself initially but firm, consistent handling did the trick and he became much more manageable, and even went to a couple of shows last year and was a star- although was a bit noisy and demonstrative when in the ring with several mares! But by far the best thing we did was castrate-he had a rig op a couple of months ago - like your chap he only had one testicle descended and we were waiting ......and waiting, but circumstances meant we needed to move him into a mixed herd so had to have the op- it would have been £450 if they had only had to search around a bit, but cost £650 for the full abdominal operation which meant that the testicle would never have dropped. It was money well spent and he is a much calmer young man now- made even more important by the fact that he has outgrown his mother and is currently standing at about 16.2hh!!!!
 
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It took a lot of physicality and bravery to sort my one-balled 12.2 pony, and turn him into a mannerly, quiet pony.

His second ball is not going to drop, and he is not getting any smaller. If you can't maintain discipline now, you never will, and when he's 4 or 5 you won't dare go near him. For his sake, either cut him, or give him to someone who knows what they're doing.
 
And just to add- I totally agree with Pennyturner above- my son has a 'late cut' 7 yo loan horse that came to us with appalling manners and still shows aspects of stallion like behaviour- his owners never really got on top of it because he grew too big, too quick!
 
He is not being 'cheeky' he is being dominant over you. Get him cut as soon as possible as that could settle him down. It also sounds as though you need good help with him. I once had a big strong colt (gelded at three weeks due to a hernia) who learned who could use his size. The thing that worked with him was to have two people - one on either side - lead him out with lunge lines rather than just a lead rope. Make sure you have a hat and gloves on and a body protector if it makes you feel safer.
 
Rogue said:
Thank you for the advice. I'm determined to turn him into a superstar as I know myself and him have the potential. His behaviour is on and off and I would not want to sell him and know I've failed. I'll keep trying. I'm going to have the vet soon, just waiting on his second ball dropping and hope it doesn't need op.

Thank you for the advice. I know the behaviour is only temporary as most of the time he's an angel
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I'm sorry to say that you have no potential together at all, if you are struggling with him now. Get him cut asap and then insist on good manners. He only behaves the way he does because you have allowed him to. AA's advice about a halter and a blue pipe is spot on. Does he have company? He needs someone to play with and as soon as it is safe to do so, put him into a mixed age herd where he will soon be taught his place and how to behave in a mannerly way, which you need to build on.
Professional help would be useful.
 
Sorry to say but it does sound as though you are out of your depth with him. I totally agree you need him castrated as soon as possible and you really, really need someone who knows youngsters to help you. He must learn some manners soon before he hurts you, himself or someone else, or before you become scared of him.

I've had my youngster (now 5) in a rope halter since he was a baby as he had little respect for headcollars. Having said that, he could probably go back into a headcollar just fine now, as he's much more settled and respectful but once he knew he could pull away there was little I could do to stop him. One of those knotted rope halters has been a god-send with him - just a small change but it made a lot of difference.
 
Get him gelded immediately. Get someone professional who knows how to handle rude, ill disciplined monsters and can teach you how to do it. Get a stud chain and learn how to use it. Get some sense: you cannot handle a yearling - how are you going to "realise our potential"? Potential for a disaster is more like it.
 
Rogue said:
Thank you for the advice. I'm determined to turn him into a superstar as I know myself and him have the potential. His behaviour is on and off and I would not want to sell him and know I've failed. I'll keep trying. I'm going to have the vet soon, just waiting on his second ball dropping and hope it doesn't need op.

Thank you for the advice. I know the behaviour is only temporary as most of the time he's an angel
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Don't try and be a hero. Sometimes you have to admit that you don't have the ability to cope with a pony and pass it on for your and his own good

I gave away a very nervous twitchy pony because I didn't have the skills to deal with him - it was hard to admit, he could have been a champion show hunter pony but as things stood he would have got dangerous and would ultimately have paid the price for my determination and pride

What happens now will set the scene for the rest of his life, if you wont pass him on then put your ego aside and get professional help - you will be relieved when you do I promise
 
agree with all the advice given he needs to be cut now before one of you gets hurt, colts are not easy to handle they require a skilled handler I had a relatively easy one compared to some he could really rear though and stay up there, and he was never led in just a head collar and lead rope, he always had a stallion chain on or was bitted when out of the stable even when just tied up, and I had a extra long rope so I could hold him when he reared and always wore gloves and he never ever really tried to get away from me he just loved to rear and jog to the field.

just wanted to add his not being naughty his just being a colt and you have to treat him as one unpredictable and never take any chances when handling him.
 
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eggs said:
He is not being 'cheeky' he is being dominant over you.
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I wouldn't consider this as dominance, strictly speaking - unless you are using the term colloquially and loosely, like "cheeky".

Whatever one calls it, the important thing is taking the appropriate measures to correct the behaviour - one of which is obviously castration, another being consistent firm but fair handling that stops the "rude", dangerous behaviour and teaches the colt that you are calling the shots.

I agree with everyone else who have urged getting help from experienced hands.
 
Get him cut as of yesterday.
Get him out in field full time with other playmates.
Get in some professional handling/training for both of you.
 
I have a 3 yo 16.2hh colt. Manners to die for and never puts a hoof wrong and he's still turned out with my other geldings. We went through the normal colt behavior as a 1yo; a bit pushy, didn't know what personal space was and nipping. Firm and consistent handling (not cruel or harsh!) has put him in his place and he respects everyone and everything. My non-horsey partner is happy catching, leading and brushing him; all without any fuss whatsoever from the colt.

If you're not willing to sell your colt, please geld him asap - before the flies start up. Secondly, seek professional help and guidance. The absolute worst would be your colt being like that when he's 15hh + and 500kg!
 
Thank you all for the advice. He is going to be gelded this Tuesday (fingers crossed he doesn't need the full op if he's a rig) but I've also had a thought that he's rushing to get into the barn for his feed as the only time he properly bolts is when we bring him in and he has his feed waiting so we're going to try a different method and hopefully all is well. He isn't a naughty or dangerous little thing, he just doesn't understand the concept of patience �� Thank you so much!
 
Why oh why do people buy colts when they don't even have the first idea of how to deal with them?!? It gives them and stallions such a bad name!

Having a stallion or colt isn't some sort of status symbol, it's a massively huge responsibility.

Op it's people like you that i despare at.
 
Rogue said:
Thank you all for the advice. He is going to be gelded this Tuesday (fingers crossed he doesn't need the full op if he's a rig) but I've also had a thought that he's rushing to get into the barn for his feed as the only time he properly bolts is when we bring him in and he has his feed waiting so we're going to try a different method and hopefully all is well. He isn't a naughty or dangerous little thing, he just doesn't understand the concept of patience �� Thank you so much!
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glad he is being gelded. Sorry but patience doesn't come into it. What does is manners and doing as he is asked. He should have learnt all this well before now. The first time he challenges you, bolts, rears or does anything else come down on him like a ton of bricks. Get him out of your space so you are safe. He must learn that lesson and fast or you will get hurt and he will become impossible as he gets older and stronger which isn't really fair on him. Swing the rope to keep him out of your personal space if necessary. He is not being cheeky he is being dominant and if he won't listen to simple commands now how on earth is he going to listen when you ride him? Good luck for Tuesday.
 
He will be a better horse for his gelding next week.

Never ever bring the horse to the food. Always take the food to the horse. The former will always teach them to rush into the stables or onto buckets and does absolutely nothing for their manners.

This week I have been helping someone who did just this. The end result is a 17.2 heavyweight hunter who comes out of the field like a raging bull, knocks his handlers to the ground or in the hedge and clears off up a stony track into his stable. When he was purchased off a professional producer he had perfect manners, now after a winter of having the food waiting for him in his box, he is an obnoxious dangerous horse.

With any horse, set yourself up to succeed not fail, it will pay you back in the long term,
 
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