Is this what some people do? Colts being 'ahem' boys!

Fools Motto

Fools Motto

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Earlier on today I had to deal with a possible nasty cut on a 18 month old TB colt. I was on my own, and these boys, although lovely, at present have to have 2 people 'dealing' with them. I had to ask the slightly non hands on horsey (but knowlegable on breeding) owner to hold the front end, while I dealt with the back. The colt in question had ''5 legs'' when we went into his box. The owner wasn't happy about that, and alongside using his stern voice of 'put it away' he used the end of the lead rope, hit it, to make it go away. Colt was a bit shocked, but duelly did as he was told. I said to owner, in a sightly light handed manner, that not to worry, boys will be boys. He said it wasn't acceptable.

Part of me is a tad surprised at this, the other half is, if thats the way it works around here, then so beit.

So, is this a normal thing for colts to have to put it away when us humans have to deal with them?

(btw, vet is coming out to see to cut later, as I wasn't happy with it).
 
I've seen people in the show ring smack their horse on their 'fifth leg' if it makes an appearance to get them to put it away. I have mares so not my area of expertise!!!
 
hahaha.....my horse quite often stands there with his *bits* on view ! doesnt bother me in the slightest ! personally i dont think its un-acceptable they are only horses ! how odd ?! :D
 
Can you imagine how painful that must be?! There is no harm at all in it hanging out, think of them as teenage boys who have trouble controlling the appearance of it! I would be livid if anyone did this infront of me. It isn't a manners/behaviour problem, the boy has his bits and that is what happens with them! If you never want to see a fifth leg then the owner should only have mares!
 
ThePony said:
Can you imagine how painful that must be?! There is no harm at all in it hanging out, think of them as teenage boys who have trouble controlling the appearance of it! I would be livid if anyone did this infront of me. It isn't a manners/behaviour problem, the boy has his bits and that is what happens with them! If you never want to see a fifth leg then the owner should only have mares!
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I read the post differently. I dont think he was just hanging out! In which case, yes he should be slapped, a colt with an erection and sexually excited can become dangerous and it needs to be nipped in the bud. Handling a horse in that condition is not funny.
 
lionman said:
I read the post differently. I dont think he was just hanging out! In which case, yes he should be slapped, a colt with an erection and sexually excited can become dangerous and it needs to be nipped in the bud. Handling a horse in that condition is not funny.
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I agree - depends if he was relaxing and letting it all hang out (fine) - or getting jiggy with it (not ok)!
 
lionman said:
I read the post differently. I dont think he was just hanging out! In which case, yes he should be slapped, a colt with an erection and sexually excited can become dangerous and it needs to be nipped in the bud. Handling a horse in that condition is not funny.
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Thankyou for your input. I still have quite a bit to learn in my job, and dealing with colts is certainly a new area for me. I am glad that the owner wasn't wrong, and I am glad that I've seen how to handle these things first hand so when it happens again, I know what to do.
And for the record, the colt wasn't just 'airing it'!!
 
cool mix said:
Thankyou for your input. I still have quite a bit to learn in my job, and dealing with colts is certainly a new area for me. I am glad that the owner wasn't wrong, and I am glad that I've seen how to handle these things first hand so when it happens again, I know what to do.
And for the record, the colt wasn't just 'airing it'!!
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Lol! I did'nt for one moment think he was. Do be careful cool mix, colts can be very unpredictable.
 
I have 2 colts coming up stallions, they regularly show there pride and joy in the field bu ti can tell you now when it gets a step to far it isnt fun front legs fly around head flinging all over the place, grunting, snorting and screaming in my ear and thats just rude. I would never smack them normally doing a few ground bits quickly switches there mind back to what they are supposed to be doing after all they are raging with hormones and young which isnt as great combo. If i saw anyone else giving them a slip on there bits i'd be livid just like i'd be livid if they bit me on the boob!
 
My rather big boy was 'airing' his the other boiling hot day ... unfortunately I was faffing with his foot at the time and nearly head butted it by accident as didnt realise it was there ... :eek: was still giggling an hour later :rolleyes:
 
lionman said:
Lol! I did'nt for one moment think he was. Do be careful cool mix, colts can be very unpredictable.
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Thankyou. I always handle them with wearing a hard hat, and like to think that I am aware of their possible 'attitudes'. Having only previously dealt with mares and fillies I do find myself questioning things more over the boys.
Obviously anything can happen, and perhaps 'slapping' his 'extra bit' away makes them more submissive to being handled - in this case applying treatment to his hind leg. At only 18 months old, and 15.2hh, he is a big chap - particually considering he is bred for the flat. I am all for 'slapping it' if it prevents an outburst and as you have said, that won't be funny. I like the idea of keeping myself in one piece!
Sorry for the guy, but it seems its the way it goes, I don't think he will hold any grudges, I always say how hansome he is!!! lol
 
cool mix said:
And for the record, the colt wasn't just 'airing it'!!
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Ok, so what was he doing with it (if that's not an indelicate question) - 'abusing' himself quietly, or behaving in an excitable fashion as if there was a mare nearby? If it was the latter, then I would agree with previous posters who say it needs to be nipped in the bud. That kind of excitability is definitely a safety concern and a hindrance to training and communication. You need to get his attention away from sex and on to what you want him to do. I think that is preferable to hitting him/it.

However, if he was just standing there quietly there is no reason, imo, to go to great (or any) lengths to stop the behaviour. Masturbation is entirely normal behaviour for male equines and, despite appearances, may not actually be sexually motivated but rather serve some other function (such as self-cleaning). It is usually associated with a rather sleepy demeanor rather than great excitement. It happens whether the colt/stallion is alone, with mares or with other males, and whether he is involved with breeding or not. Being an entirely harmless (and possibly a beneficial or necessary) activity, I wouldn't do anything to discourage it. If anyone vehemently disagrees, they might like to read what Dr Sue McDonnell has to say about the subject.

ETA: Here's what she says, in a nutshell:
http://www.exodusbreeders.com/PDF_equine/StallionInformation/2009StallionMasturbation.pdf
 
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There are certainly other ways of distracting a colt / stallion and educating him that there are times for mares and times for paying attenion !

I know that my friend cerainly never hit her stallions bits ( or indeed any part of him) yet he is so well educated we were able to stand less than six feet away and facing each other and able to just lift the reins to ask them to back up when we realised he was "excited" and she was raising her tail and "spreading" (and no I did not know she was even thinking of being in season when we met up to do a lesson in an indoor school :rolleyes:) .... this at the end of having worked together for an hour in the school.

I find it shocking that some of us so called humans find it necessary to strike a horses gentials in order to "control" it.
 
TBH, I think the owners (over) reactions to the colt were nerves. He is not a hands on type person, but the current rules are that 2 people to a colt, and as I was the only one working today, I had no choice but to ask him.
Colt was slightly excited (but far from true stallion like) as I had previously been parading a filly for a potential buyer, and wether or not it was that (just around the corner from his box) or the fact that I smelt of filly, I don't know. He is a colt that has just come in to start work from being out 24/7, so I guess its all new to him too.
At the end of the day, I treated him, and he was a saint. Who knows if his excited willy would have made any difference today?
 
My 2 Shire geldings were cut at 17 and 18 months of age, respectively. I had always been told to avoid slapping or hitting their bits because it could reinforce a reluctance to cover if they were to remain intact. My biggest problem with them, before they were gelded, was nipping and biting. I discouraged that behaviour by pushing them away with my elbow to avoid them becoming hand-shy. Whenever they "let down" or became "fully drawn," they would stand in a state of seeming concentration, until everything was retracted. Even when their mothers were nearby and within visual range (well after the boys were weaned), they would do their concentration stance and not become uncontrollable. However, at their great size, I was not going to tempt fate. Despite their outstanding pedigrees and beautiful conformation, I wasn't about to spent the rest of my life with 2 testosterone machines! Contrary to much published drivel, there are many, many Shire stallions available in the UK and internationally. The world doesn't need my boys. But when they "let it all hang out," I'm not going to discourage them, no matter who is about to see them. It's a natural consequence of the male equine. In the case of stallions, one would assume very experienced handlers would be the individuals tending to them. Proper tack for control and well-organised patterns for moving them from point A to point B should be the order of the day. Striking their penises would appear to be cruel and counter productive. If it takes 2 or 3 people to manage them, so be it.
 
I've seen several stallion handlers at shows tap his bits with the whip and told the horse to put it away - a stallion aroused is not a good thing to happen with others around and they do need to know when it is appropriate to let it all out. In the show ring No when breeding Yes. My friends stallion has actually never had a mare - he covers the artificial mare as he only breeds by AI. So you do need to be careful around them and only allow them to be aroused when breeding.

One stud I worked at we weren't allowed to wear perfume because of the ingredients that are used.
 
Maesfen said:
Agree with this entirely.
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I agree with Maesfen agreeing with lionman. :D
It's easy to see those on this thread who have never handled an entire... :p
Also agree with Evelyn - wearing perfume around stallions is unacceptable as it often contains musk, a pheromone I believe from the scent glands of deer which stallions can react to sexually.
(I guess maybe women want human males to react sexually to their perfume too?! :p :D)
S :D
 
Shilasdair said:
I agree with Maesfen agreeing with lionman. :D
It's easy to see those on this thread who have never handled an entire... :p
Also agree with Evelyn - wearing perfume around stallions is unacceptable as it often contains musk, a pheromone I believe from the scent glands of deer which stallions can react to sexually.
(I guess maybe women want human males to react sexually to their perfume too?! :p :D)
S :D
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(Doesn't always bl**dy work though, does it? :mad:)

On a serious note - I have ridden a stallion naked for a photo shoot. Yes. :o Sorry to tell you that. But I was told no perfume, not even a deodorant or scented moisturiser. And use all the horse knowledge you have. And try not to have your period at that point....

I have been around horses all my life and never, ever, underestimate a boy with his bits intact :):)
 
Shilasdair said:
I agree with Maesfen agreeing with lionman. :D
It's easy to see those on this thread who have never handled an entire... :p
Also agree with Evelyn - wearing perfume around stallions is unacceptable as it often contains musk, a pheromone I believe from the scent glands of deer which stallions can react to sexually.
(I guess maybe women want human males to react sexually to their perfume too?! :p :D)
S :D
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if you are inferring that its the people who do not hit a horses penis that are the ones that have never handled an entire then please do reconsider because you do not know that. :rolleyes:
 
Mine regularly has it out and hits his belly with it.. Not sure what this means. A bit embarassing for me, but it doesn't really bother me that much, not enough to hit it anyway. Gets a few laughs from the neighbours though !
 
tazzle said:
if you are inferring that its the people who do not hit a horses penis that are the ones that have never handled an entire then please do reconsider because you do not know that. :rolleyes:
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No, I have the right to my opinions of other users.
Luckily, I seldom give in to the temptation to 'voice' them (should that be 'write' them?). :p
S :D
 
My stallion has only ever done it once at the 'wrong' time, and i just backed him up and he quit. To hit straight away is a bit extreme i think.

However, if he (or any colt) didn't pay any attention to focusing on something else or was becoming dangerous i'd probably hit it too.

:)
 
I havent actually ever hit a colt/stallions 'bits'... though I have turned a cold hose on to it before. Never really had a problem with their behaviour. Discipline, as with any horse tended to work. Although we did often carry a thin piece of poly pipe to act as a deterrent. Have, in the past, used it on their bellies if/when they rear or strike. They'd do it one and not again. I find this is preferable to me having a smashed skull/broken limb.

I have had the unfortunate experience of putting on front bandages (polo) and not realising that the lovely stallion, aptly named "Wicked" was, ahem, enjoying himself... only to get... what's the word... how do I put this delicately... shot with his "load" all down my right arm and leg.
Thanks Wicked.

I must add, much to the amusement of my male boss and colleagues!

He almost got me the next day when I did up his over girth... but I was ready for him.

K x

Ps I think its clear from my lack of awareness to this act that the horse was very quiet, relaxed and well behaved while doing his thing.
 
I don't mind my "boys" playing with their crown jewels in their own time but when humans are dealing with them then they behave and keep it to themselves. My older stallion is perfectly well behaved, he covers in-hand and won't get his willy out until he is at the mare - he obviously thinks it's a waste of time to peek too early :D

My 4yo has spent the last year learning to be like his father, a gentleman around humans. The 2yo is also in the process of learning.

Whilst I never give them a proper whack when it is out at an inapropraite time they get a gentle flip withthe end of a rope, schooling whip or water from the hose depending on what I am doing at the time. They very quickly learn what is an isn't allowed and they are perfectly happy with the rules.

As for the racehorses I work with - the colts are the best behaved of the lot - they have to be. Imagine riding out on a string of upto 20-25 colts at a time - one misbehaves and it gives them all an excuse to misbehave, have one get loose, have a few more get loose, half a dozen colts running around - not a good idea!

One of the most bizarre but sensible rules in racing is that you are not to wear perfume, scented soaps, overly scented deoderants and body sprays so as not to excite the colts. At the end of the day they are testosterone filled animals that need to be kept under the thumb as they are just too dangerous otherwise.
 
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