My youngster - Behaviour I need help to understand.

cblover

cblover

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Hi there everyone, I'd like some help from all you horse owners experienced in young horses.

I have a 2 yr old clyde x cob which is generally very sweet and calm. He's going to be a big cob so having a calm manner is really important to me and I've treat him with consistency and fair and firm boundaries from day one...well I hope I have!

He has a habit of whipping his head round when I groom his (not all the times) and when I put his rug on. I'm not sure if he's threatening to bite or just follow me being inquisitive. He'll stand stock still for his rug on and isn't bothered by the leg straps but as I go to do up the belly straps he's bend double with his head mouthing me a bit and sniffing me with a sort of unsure look about him. I might not be explaining this right but not sure how else to describe it.

It's like he's about to do something and his behaviour could be seen as a warning but nothing ever comes of it and on the whole he's a gentle soul. You can hear him bang his lips and teeth together and I growl at him, which stops him, but I don't want to become wary of him or have my behaviour change around him. I know you have to be confident with youngsters and I am being.

I can touch him all over and he's fine, he's always the first to come and see me in the field and will often choose to stay with me as I give him a scratch but there is just something I can't put my finger on. Any ideas? Cheers. x
 
How long has he been rugged for? It may be a case that's he's unsure what you're doing and just being inquisitive. Is he actually going for you or just turning around with his ears forward in a curious manner?
 
Bump him with your elbow/ knee/ head, what ever bit he is after, if he mouths you. My new mare was a biter so I didn't even let her just look round as it could quickly become her teeth on me. Did that for a few days and she is much much nicer now.
 
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He's been rugged on and off since last winter....you know as and when needed. I introduced it carefully, which he was fine with. In fact I rub him all over with a plastic bag (when I've emptied the hay out) on a daily basis so a rug was a non event really.

He's not got his ears back or going for me with any force, I suppose its more curious really but he gets a grumpy look (i think) or a bit of a nervous look. He never moves away from me and he could do, he just literally turns his head round and his whole neck without moving anything else. His eyes have a look of distrust I'd say but he's always been treat with respect and calmness.

I will tie up too, but on this occasion he was in the field for his rug on.
 
Don't over think it. Give him a bump with your elbow. It's making you a little concerned so try the elbow thing. If he gets a little offended dont worry he won't hate you. My 13 YO ex broodmare does this but she's just very sweet and looking for a pat. If her 6 YO daughter even attempts to swing around she gets the pointed finger and don't even think about it. They're all different.

Maybe his behavoir will escalate to nipping, maybe not. Just let him know nicely you don't want him there. Keep the rule enforced. But really, take it easy on yourself. You're doing a good job! Keep it simple.

Terri
 
Thanks for that. I've waited a long time for him and don't want to surpress his natural curiosity. I've done my best with him but need to address any unwanted behaviours.
 
As Terri said- don't over think things.

Unless signs of aggression are shown, as I read your post this hasn't happened, I would say he's just being a typical nosey youngster. Just talk to him and reassure him, can't do any harm :o

If you go in guns blazing with an elbow or shouting when he's not actually doing anything wrong then you will end up making rugging an issue for him.

With youngsters I always keep it simple. The second he did something wrong then correct straight away otherwise just ignore.
 
He is just being a 2 year old. Take no notice unless he bites you.

My Shire x Cob is 16 months old and can bend his neck round until his cheek bone is pushed against his shoulder. He does this when anything is being done to his hind end, legs and feet. My lad is very nosey and I have to re-inforce not invading my space fairly often. I don't feed by hand to ensure the horse is not encouraged to search pockets or nip.

I have yet to introduce a rug to mine, but many horses can be grumpy over rugs. Does your clyde x have a big thick winter coat on him - could he be objecting to his rug because he gets too hot in it ?
 
Thanks everyone. His coat isn't very thick and his rug is just a rain sheet with no filling. He does it sometimes when I groom him too, not just with his rugs. I constantly reinforce boundaries and he knows not to play with me. He can get excited as I enter the field with his hay but I take my whip whop with me and use rhythmical circular movements to ask him to stay out of my space until I've got the hay out of the bag...he's now very good at this and he just walks away from the gate and waits for his hay to be delivered. No more being mugged at the gate way! lol

He's a sweet thing....being a gelding it takes a while for the signal to get from his brain to his legs but I give him the time he needs and I'm learning more about him every day. I've owned him since he was 8 days old as I bought him on my 2nd viewing of him, plus he came to live with me at 5 wk old with is mam. Mam went home at weaning and Teddy stayed with me.

I don't want to misjudge what he is telling me by me over reacting but equally I don't fancy a chunk out of my arm either.
 
You are doing nothing other than being a good owner. Never any harm in asking for advice at anytime no matter how long you've been around horses.

I always find youngsters in their 2nd year to be extra 'special' tho ;)
 
I think we should have a picture of Teddy. We have a potential driving team coming along. OP's Teddy is Clyde x Cob, my Little Ted is Shire x Cob.

All we need to do is find some outsize driving harness and a dray and we can go to the pub in style !
 
Oberon - thanks for the link, I'll have a read and check the video out! x

Bigbenji - I really appreciate that. He is very special to me and what I have wanted for a long time. I also own a cob mare and she is much more switched on and intelligent. I'm not used to geldings, but I think he's just being a genuine boy with it all to learn really.

I'd love to go to the pub in that kind of style AA, cobs rule! lol

Just thinking about it a bit more, it doesn't help because he has white round his eyes (his mam had too) and it always looks like he's nervous or agitated. He doesn't have a very soft looking eye, but he can't help the colouring bless him! It's just not helping his cause! lol

Here is a pic of the boy................
IMG_4443.jpg
 
he is probably at his age just being nosey, if you put his head collar on and drape the rope over his neck from the side away from you (if you are on his left take the rope along his neck on the right side and over his withers to your side) so you can grasp the end on your side if he is a pain you can then pull his head away from you and say no he should soon get the message without upsetting him. Don't carry treats in your pockets!
 
He is a typical youngster, interested in everything that is being done to him, if he wasn't I'd be worried, just carry on with what you are doing and enjoy what a kind and calm youngster you have and must admit I wouldn't have a bit in his mouth at 2,but that's just me,which goes to show what a nice nature he has.:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
 
Has he always done it? Or recently started? If he sometimes does it when you brush his tummy, do you think he may be a little ticklish there? He is gorgeous though :)
 
OP - you don't have to worry about it any more. After posting that picture of him, I'm on my way to pick him up :p He is gorgeous!
 
Thanks folks, glad you all like him. He really is built like a tank...that pic was taken in June this year and he's changed so much since then. He's gone less cobby and more big hunter type at the minute.

EB - bitting him was not my first choice, but his behaviour is so much quieter when at shows. I always use it with a 3 way coupling so there is less pressure on his mouth and he has the bit in for no more than 10 mins at a time. We only go to very small shows for a bit of experience.

When I think back he has always taken an interest in what I've been doing with him...so hopefully he's just being nosey. I always keep my wits about me though and he gets away with nothing! lol

GD - thanks for the tip with the headcollar.
 
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