How to spot a rig?

H

Holding

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 July 2012
Messages
397
Visit site
This is a really stupid question, but I have to ask.

I have a 3 year old gelding. He has been being a bit of a prat lately (put the poor groom in hospital and she has now, somewhat understandably, handed in her notice) but I just put it down to his age.

But he has suddenly out of nowhere developed a huge cresty neck. He isn't being worked atm, so it isn't that, and he isn't at all fat - he was very underweight when I got him and he could still put on a little more. He's just suddenly got this big muscular neck, and I can't see why, unless he's been schooling himself at night.

He is also very coltish - very nippy and has been rearing and striking out on hand.

He's on individual turnout, so no idea what he'd be like with mares. He's not really a horse horse though, so I suspect not great. He was imported from Germany as a 2yo gelding, but I don't have any veterinary records or anything. Could he be a rig, or am I being paranoid? Is it worth having him tested, or should I just carry on being firm with him and enjoy the fact that he looks like he's on steroids? Does anyone have any advice, or similar experiences?
 
I would be getting him tested ASAP before your ex groom decides to sue you!

He could be a rig, but, he could also just be acting like a spoilt brat. Presumably his passport said "gelding" I would be getting in touch with the previous owner to find who gelded him and then speak to them to find out if there were any "complications"

Have you had a feel down there? Just to check there isn't a hidden surprise that never showed itself. . .
 
We had a pony that I got as a 3 year old who was a bag of bones and quite quiet when we got him but changed considerably when he gained weight! I was convinced he was a rig (he nipped a lot, liked to hold things in his mouth all the time, had a tendency to rear when he didn't like something, climbed all over our mares whether they were in season or not etc etc..!) I had him bloodtested after a good feel round up there revealed nothing (he was quite obliging for that bit!) and nope - not a rig at all. I was gobsmacked but relieved. We put him on rigcalm for a year and that helped a lot and we have just sold him as a very well behaved 6 year old (most of the time!). We had a second pony at around the same time that wasn't gelded until he was 8 for some reason - they were very similar in their behaviour. If they have 'learned' the stallion type behaviour I think it can take time to get out of their system - sometimes never. Doesn't explain the 'cresty neck though but if you are concerned i would definitely go for a blood test. It's cheap and gives peace of mind in my case. Does any of that help?
 
I would get him tested for peace of mind and then you will have a clearer idea of what you should be doing to handle him, especially as it's coming up towards springtime and he might decide to go mare hunting and before you know it you will have the equine equivalent of the Child Support Agency after you!

It could well be that the feed is going to his head though, as you say he was underweight and could still do with some more, so presumably you are feeding him well. I would suggest cutting out hard feed and just give hay/haylage and a supplement for a couple of weeks too and see if his behaviour improves.
 
He is young to be on individual turnout- is there any possibility of him having horse companions to play rough games with?
 
Thanks for everyone's input.

His passport does say gelding, but as it was done in Germany I don't know how I would get in touch with his breeder to confirm that.

He is on a lot of feed, although I cut down on it when he started rearing, humping and bucking in hand. He is on full livery, and he has a bridle and a chifney for the staff to lead him with. He needs to be out more, and hopefully in the summer he can be turned out for longer with company. He tends to play rough with me, so maybe having other horses to play with would help.

He is generally a sweetheart, and I think the lack of turnout has a lot to do with his current behaviour. It was mostly his neck that suddenly got me worrying. I might speak to the vet about having him tested, just for my own peace of mind. Thanks again for everyone's help.
 
Hi there a friend of mine has a rig, he was evil towards any other geldings to the point where he nearly killed one of their ponies.

He was also imported from denmark as two year old as a 'gelding', he at times is a complete angel, but at other times especailly around mares that are in season he gets very agressive and displays typical stallion like behavior.

She had him tested, I think by having a blood test which revealed elevated testoterone levels, which vet said that yes he was a rig. He has had an op to try and find the missing testicle but to no avail. They use rig calm with great success and it really calms him down.

I would definately say though cutting down on your 3 year olds feed, and if possible turning him out as much as possible with other horses. My old boss who has lots of youngsters, swear by turning them out with other horses that have similar ages, to let them be horses and establish a pecking order.
 
As has been said, get him out with other horses asap, it's probably just immature high jinks, but also get him bloodtested for your own piece of mind, especially as someone has already been hurt. My boy was tested because he is very riggish (he will fully cover a mare given the chance - which he's not since we caught him at it as a 3yo!). As his matured so has his crest, even when he is not carrying too much weight, (although he does work in a true outline, so that adds to the muscle). He once attempted to rape a poor gelding who'd had an op on his sheath so sprayed urine - my boy thought it was a squirting mare! Vet said he is a false rig - there's nothing there physically but in his mind He's a Stallion Baby, so we have to keep that in mind! He can be challenging to handle, but like any horse, is fine if kept in line. He is fine to hack out with, school with, travel with & be next to mares - he just can't be trusted alone with them!

Oh, sorry didn't actually answer the question - these don't mean a horse is a rig, just some typical behaviour - nipping, neck wringing, interest in mares (especially actually covering as opposed to just playful mounting), flehemn (sp!), pooing in the same place or on top of other horses dung, aggressive behaviour towards other male horses, territorial behaviour (eg. my boy can be a bit aggressive in his own stable, to anyone walking past, especially if i (his mare!!!) am in with him).
 
Last edited:
As Teasle. A young horse on individual turnout sounds more the issue than rig. You're currently his playmates. I'd turnout with others a range of ages if possible.

The horses I've known who aren't rigs but are riggy have been fine with a herd of mares or geldings, but will turn on other geldings if mixed.

As said above though, with the history, groom and you having a suspicion I'd get tested first
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top