manners in youngsters

[TallyHo123]

Feels weird posting after not being on for a while! Lol just back from hols!

Just a quick (ill try and keep it quick!) Post regarding how you instill manners into your youngsters.
My fillys 2 and a half now and up until now been fab! She's now pushing it a bit, little things like pushing/ not picking up feet/ refusing to go forwards.

She's getting pretty strong too, especially when around geldings! She's such a flirt!

I want to nip it in the bud but with her being a youngster want a firm constant way to handle the situation.

She's always been very friendly, sometimes over friendly, but I have been told someone hit her in the face (this could be yard gossip) but since I was told she's very head shy.

Any tips appreciated

 

[Meowy Catkin]

My two yr old (see my siggy) is very pushy and tests me all the time too.

I have found that I need to be consistant with what's acceptable and what is not acceptable from her, correct bad behaviour quickly and praise good behaviour quickly. Then repeat x 10000000000!

It is a bit suspicious that she's become headshy after someone possibly smacked her in the face. I wouldn't be happy at all if that turned out to be true.

 

[eggs]

As above, repetition and more repetition. I certainly would not recommend hitting your youngster around the head.

I also don't do too much with my 2 year olds but do bring them in each day for a feed - this is more to get them used to leaving their mates without fussing. With your filly I would pick her feet up before she gets her feed. If she pushes you around when you are leading, etc carry a short, hard stick (like a sawn off broom handle) in the hand nearest her and give her a quick poke with it - without saying anything - to get her to move away from you.

One of my youngsters used to try and barge out of his stable. We corrected this by having someone stand outside his stable out of his immediate sight and when he went to barge out of the stable she flicked an empty haynet at his chest. He learned after the 3rd flick not to do this ever again.

 

[TallyHo123]

Thanks for the suggestions!
Tbh she has been perfect up until now, hitting the terrible 2's I think!

I know if I do find out it's true I won't be happy at all! Her behaviour has got worse since this 'happend'

Just trying to find something which works and stick 100% to it, she's a clever girl and picks things up quickly! Although her flirting is getting on my nerves! lol