LONG POST! Stubborn colts who won't lead / vaccination advice

[Hoovesandhats]

Sorry I'm doing a double whammy post here, I hope that's ok.

I have two colts, both New Forest Ponies, both six months old.

They have vastly different personalities, the little chestnut (Billy) seemed like he was going to be more challenging, but actually he's bottom of the pack and follows me about and is very needy and affectionate. The grey (Kit) was very quiet to handle initially but has become more flighty as time has gone on, he has had a few goes at nipping, but is very easy to catch. I know this is just their personalities coming through as I get to know them and their need to test boundaries as they develop, but we're working on some of the bad habits.

Incidentally, to stop the nipping (never particularly aggressive or hard, just cheeky and chancey and really only done if he's bored) I've taken to immediately moving into his space and moving him away, in an attempt to remind him of his place. I'll see how we go.

However they've both developed a reluctance to be led. They're halter broken and have been tied up several times and this is something we practice a lot. However, when I want to bring them from the paddock to the yard, we get planted feet. I have tried Richard Maxwell's 'horse string' round the bum, though I think that is more effective with tiny foals. Kit HATES it. He moves but is really, really tense with his head right up in the air and it has no impact on the next time we try to lead. Billy doesn't seem to care it's there or not, it doesn't make any difference.

Their paddock is open into the yard, and their stable is open overnight for them as shelter, in other words they both have access to everywhere at all times. Is their reluctance to be led due to it seeming futile as they're in their own space anyway?

We have twice led them out of the paddock, once to see the farrier, and the second time just for a walk. It wasn't very successful. Kit got extremely spooky and tried to rush off a number of times. He then planted and wouldn't go back into the paddock. Billy was much better, though he very much takes a lead from Kit. We had them both in rope halters for a bit of extra control.

Has anyone any solid advice for getting them to lead? I have never dragged them, but was advised to get them to move with a few sharper tugs. I just don't want to create headshy ponies.

And secondly, they both had their first vaccinations yesterday (tet and flu) and today they've been quite mopey and have mainly stood in the yard.

Are they live vaccines and is that quite common?

Thanks if you've persevered to this point, I just wanted to give a bit of background!

 

[Celtic Fringe]

I'm sure that someone with better suggestions will be along soon. However:

1. My youngester is very quiet after vaccinations but is fine after a couple of days. I think this is reasonably common.
2. I'm guessing they have not been with you very long so may be still settling in and getting used to a new home?? In my opinion they are still very young so need endless patience and just very short sessions which end as soon as they show any sign of doing the right thing. Try moving the pony sideways a step if they plant and won't go forwards. We went through a two steps forward, one step sideways, two steps forward phase with my youngster. This keeps their little feet moving but avoids the use of force. Good luck - they look like a lot of fun!

 

[Hallo2012]

are they being gelded? that will most likely make life easier....

i wouldn't try taking them for walks until you have established the leading in a safe environment as you are setting yourself and then up for stress.

would agree that moving them sideways gets them thinking forward again.