Is it just a stage?

[mealies]

My colt foal is 4 months now and is quite a handful to handle. He has a halter on and is quite friendly but has become difficult to lead. He will also rear and strike out. This is just excitement really but it makes it difficult to stand next to him without risking him rearing. He is quiter in the stable but entering the field is starting to make me nervous. Is anyone elses colts like this or is it just a stage? Any tips?

 

[BallyshanHorses]

i have a holsteinxthoroughbred filly that is now a yearling.she had a headcollar on since she was two days old and was led as often as possible but at 4 months ish she decided she liked rearing.to curb this i got myself a whip and whenever she decided to rear i would give her a sharp smack between her front legs.horses do not like to be exposed to sensitive areas and this soon put pay to her waving.hope this helps.

 

[JanetGeorge]

[ QUOTE ]
My colt foal is 4 months now and is quite a handful to handle. He has a halter on and is quite friendly but has become difficult to lead. He will also rear and strike out. This is just excitement really but it makes it difficult to stand next to him without risking him rearing. He is quiter in the stable but entering the field is starting to make me nervous. Is anyone elses colts like this or is it just a stage? Any tips?

[/ QUOTE ]

At the moment, it's 'a stage'. And it's just 'play'. But he won't 'grow out of it' unless YOU do something about it. I have 7 colt foals this year - 4 pure ID and 3 sport horse - and they are all different. Two of the pure-breds fall into the 'dope on a rope' category - and 2 of the sport horses are nearly as easy (I can walk up to all of them when they're lying down in the field, put their headcollars on and then have to drag them to their feet!

)

One of the pure-breds - destined to be a stallion - was a totally different kettle of fish! You walked up to him and the teeth came at you, he reared, he struck - all from about 4 weeks of age! He met my elbow more than once, he got a fair bit of big 'body language' to stand him back, and he's now VERY well-mannered for a 5 month old colt - although no doubt there will be another stage (or 3) to get through.

Unless you PLAN to keep him entire (and if you do, you'll need to stop being nervous and start getting tough or he'll end up a dangerous ratbag!) then I'd get the vet to look at him now to determine if both testicles are descended. If they are, plan on gelding him sooner rather than later. With my earlier born colts who aren't being run on as potential stallions, I like to geld them about 4 weeks BEFORE weaning. Then use the weaning period to do plenty of good handling with them. Works very well!