Overexcited clydesdale! Help please.

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Tizzy

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So I took my boy out for his first half decent walk today. He is 18 months and just over 14h. I take him for walks in his head collar and lead rope a couple of times a week, he is very calm USUALLY but today he had some ants in his pants and I really struggled to keep hold of him.

We were just walking down a quiet bridal path and he was determined to walk in front of me, zig zag to get to the grass and trying to trot/canter off. Cue me hanging on behind bringing him to a stop.:rolleyes:

Is it time I introduced a gentle bit and a bridal and take him out walking this way to keep more control?

Anyone watching would have laughed their pants off today:p
 
Oh bless him, would love to see a pick I adore clydies.

Nothing wrong with bit and bridle but more important would be working in an enclosed space to get some good ground rules...stop means stop etc. Maybe instead do a bit of 'dems the rules' in a cavesson and lunge line and walk out a few times then before he learns that he's bigger and stronger than you.
 
Sounds like his feeling good - spring grass in his tummy?

I do think it's important for him to understand your the boss before his to big. When mine was 18 months and feeling fresh I used the Monty Roberts dually head collar but he just reared in it so I did put a happy mouth bridle on him. This was just walking to and from the field everyday - he grew out of it and now his back in his head collar and a angel. I think it's normal that they push the boundaries but you need to nip it in the bud.

I personally don't lead mine out on the roads and stuff when they are that young. I do get them used to cars, bikes and tractors on the farm and scary wheelie bins and carrier bags and barking dogs ect. I just don't see the benefit until they are say 3yo plus and more mature with good manners.
 
Oh yes I remember those days v well as they weren't that long ago! Mine used to get terribly excited when she saw any ridden horse and would jump around rearing and broncing. I know at the time you think, oh god I hope it's a phase and it is scary. It depends on your youngster but from what you have said I would practise lots of half halts, halts and backing up and then when walking make it black and white so there's not even a chance to get ahead of you. I really recommend rope halters, but of course you need to train them to give to light pressure first. My filly is 2 now and she's really calmed down, I haven't had an outburst funnily enough since she was 18 months! Routine is key, start off small and just build upon what you have been doing but only when youngster has been doing it well and you feel they are mentally ready to move on. It's good if you can find the 'triggers' of this behaviour and desensitise them to it. Just take your time, no rush. All normal behaviour just need to reinforce boundaries and give them confidence to listen and stay with you no matter what's going on around them.
 
I did lots of in hand stuff with my horse when I first got him, mainly to bombproof and start building a relationship from the ground. I still to it now x) Obviously because he is young he can sometimes get a bit big for his boots and act up now and again like you said your horse is.

If he tried to tank off in front of me, I round turn him round in a circle to reposition us so I was in front. He was following my movement, so naturally was behind me when we lined up again to continue on our path.

Definitely do lots of transitions. Ask him to stop now and again, back up, and only move off when you give the correct cue. Voice training is great; I did lots of this lunging while getting to know Conan when I first got him and I still do it now. I can almost ask him to move up or down a transition or back up with my voice even under saddle! if you try teaching voice commands to your horse, this could help to get him to concentrate. Reward him often.... incentitive helps!

Take small walks at first as a big walk on lots of unfamiliar territory will be quite scary for him I'm sure. He is just a baby so I'm sure his behaviour is innocent. It can be dangerous however so I hope you get us sorted.

Keep us updated, pictures a must! Hope this helped a little.
 
I second the vote for rope halters and a longer rope. Train him to respond to pressure and release and to hind quarter yield as that way you can stop him and bring his attention back to you easily. :)
 
Tizzy - we must have pics of your baby boy!

I got my CLydesdale when she was just 6 months and love her to bits. I found that she was best led in a lunge cavesson as I had more control over the front of her nose.

At her first show at around 16 months - I made the mistake of showing her in just a headcollar - she trotted like a superstar but I swear my feet were not actually on the ground she moved so powerfully - the best extended trot she has ever done! She also won the class against horses twice her age.

I also worked very hard on the verbal commands so that a mere whisper had her halting.

Make sure he is getting some extra Magnesium while the grass is growing fast.

This was my girl at 16 months
JPEGWishawSerenity4.jpg
JPEGWishawSerenity3.jpg
 
Ok so an update on today, I took him somewhere quiet this afternoon in his head collar and lead rope (cavesson is now on order and waiting for delivery). We worked on walking in hand and when I said 'whoa' I applied small pressure to his head collar and he stopped. We did this a fair few times and he did well bless him. I also got him working on 'back'. I work on this in his stable anyway and he is nearly a pro at this command.

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Tizzy he's gorgeous - I'd forgotten about the hairy tummy part - Serenity had that after her yearling winter but after that she's not.

What do you plan to do with him? I ride Serrenity and show her in hand. She's now rising 10 and I will have her for the rest of her or my days - I have already arranged a forever home for her should I depart before her.
 
Thanks:D

He is just going to be my ridden beast. A nice comfortable, unstressful life I plan to give him.

Yes he is still very hairy. And managed to tread on my foot a good'n today with his dinner plate hoofs!
 
If you must walk him out please use a bridle. But I can never get my head around not just letting them be babies. And personally, apart from basic handling I would be leaving it to get on with growing up.
 
amymay said:
If you must walk him out please use a bridle. But I can never get my head around not just letting them be babies. And personally, apart from basic handling I would be leaving it to get on with growing up.
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'It' is a 'him' and thank you for your input.

My personal opinion (seeing as you have had yours) is that at 18 months he is more than mature enough to start seeing the other side of the fence at his own pace (i never push him or force him to go where he doesnt want to) and learning basic commands is important more so for my own safety so he doesn't crush me when getting him in and out the field and in and out his stable. As at the potential to hit 18 hands and weigh nearly a tonne I do not think that is too much to ask for general manners at this age before he can do me some serious damage.

Iv had him for 7 months and I think it's about time I give him something exciting to do and look forward to.
 
Hey, basic manners are an absolute must. All that can be done through your day to day handling - and has nothing to do with walking him out in hand.

As for exciting things to do and to look forward too - quite simply enjoying his friends company and the routine you establish for him is more than enough.

But hell, what do I know :D
 
amymay said:
If you must walk him out please use a bridle. But I can never get my head around not just letting them be babies. And personally, apart from basic handling I would be leaving it to get on with growing up.
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It is fun walking them out and a great ay and time to introduce them to the sights of the world - they get very big and strong as they get older.

My youngsters have always enjoyed their walks have grown up to be well rounded safe rides, especially out on the road.

For the time you spend leading them ouot on walks they have ample time to play at being babies.

Also if they are all you've got then part of horse owning is teaching excellent ground manners.
 
amymay said:
Hey, basic manners are an absolute must. All that can be done through your day to day handling - and has nothing to do with walking him out in hand.

As for exciting things to do and to look forward too - quite simply enjoying his friends company and the routine you establish for him is more than enough.

But hell, what do I know :D
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How many youngsters are you involved with, from say foaling onwards?
 
Cheeky yes, and he does provide me with endless laughs.

He does have a good head on his shoulder and he always aims to please. Even if its showing me his lead rope as he wants to go out and huffing when I ignore him for more than 2 seconds.:D
 
amymay said:
Ooo, latest count would be around 25. You??
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Honestly, amymay - I'm not judging you, I just can't work out where you are coming from because your answers are so short. So, for a fairly newbie like me (one retired horse owner), what do you do with horses - are you a stud groom? Or do you own a stud, are you a racehorse trainer, etc?
 
I must admit I agree with Amymay - babies should be allowed to be babies.

I read so much about "what can I do with my yearling"?
It gives me the impression they are bought cheap and cute and owners just want to crack on with them and in a massive rush.

I think basic manner need to be made and experiences had. But let them mentally mature - 20 mins is enough for a foaly.

Today YO took his 5yo for a walk in hand down the lane (it's got a fat leg). 3 fields down and the next farms horses came galloping up the field to see him. He got all on his toes and grew 3 inches, dog trot and tail up, circling YO & arse in the middle of the road. I was in my car leaving and watched it all happen. It's not awful behaviour but it's not behaviour you expect on the roads.
 
I don't think walking in hand is too much, depends how long and where I guess.

I have a two year old who I take up and down a quiet village, about 20 mins. I don't see it is much different to doing in hand work in the field and I think she likes to see something other than her field every now and then, she doesn't object to leaving bossy boots whinnying her head off anyway. Plenty of people show their youngsters and surely that is more stressful, I just don't really get why anyone would object to be honest but each to their own :-)

I wouldn't take her near proper traffic until she is wearing a bridle and is fairly good with voice aids, the village is fairly enclosed and a dead end so I don't worry too much.
 
Many years ago my friend and I had yearling Welsh ponies and everyweekend and during school holidays we'ed take them on walks, we'ed be out for hours - these ponies were fought over when it came to selling them as they were excellent in any traffic or any condition as they had been exposed to everything!

Consider this - a youngster in a herd will walk miles everyday with its mother - they certainly don't come to any harm what so ever!

Work eg lunging I wouldn't encourage as this puts strain on the joints going around in endless circles.

It is believed that some steady type of exercise actually helps strengthen bone, ligaments and tendons
 
Love him I used to take my Clyde down to the supermarket when he young. Get them out and about seeing things not stuck in a field all day. He is 100 percent in the heaviest traffic and still loves going to the supermarket for fuss.

As we say the best education for any horse is out of their sterile field environment. Looking and learning about the world.
 
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Thanks for all the replies.

Just to make myself clear as some people seem to be under the impression Im dragging him down a main road for hours on end daily.

I take him out WITHIN THE YARD, so no roads etc and introduce him to other people, horses, cars, horse boxes, tractors etc etc etc, the list goes on as I'm on a busy yard and there is a lot going on. He loves going out to do stuff, when were wandering about he gets lots of fuss from people at the yard and having random people approach him is yet another thing I think is important as I want him to learn that other than myself, people can be trusted and standing there giving them a sniff is good.

We also have a track WITHIN the yard which I have introduced him to a couple of times and our walks are no longer than 15 minutes twice a week (at weekends as all week I work) from when I get him out of his stable to when he goes back in. Down this track we come across many types of birds, bunnies, yard people's dogs (dogs is an important one for me to get him used to) and riders on horses.

He is a sensible sole and has never spooked on me (yet!). When out wandering if he sees anything he is unsure of we come to a stop and he looks at it until he thinks its safe enough to approach and give it the once over. Then we continue.

I cannot do any work in his field with him as there are about 15 other horses out there and most of them are hot heads so trying to take him for walks within his field he hates (iv tried). So taking him out of that situation he relaxes and is much easier to work with.

At the end of the day, what real harm is there in taking him out for 15-20 mins within the yard introducing him to things? None in my books. We can come across coke cans, crisp packets and plastic bags etc and walking over to stomp on these is great fun apparently.

He ties up and can be left when I go to my tack room to grab bits, he enjoys a bath, he gives me all 4 feet when asked and il pick them out daily, he loads into trailers like a pro (he should do seeing as he has come from Scotland) and he backs out of them no problems, he lets me get right under his tail to clean him, lets me go all round his back legs and up round his bits without flinching or moving, I can clean the gunk away from his eyes and he even loves me brushing his forelock. He has his feet trimmed and is a star when the farrier deals with him.

There is next to nothing he won't let me do to him and this is because the time in which I have spent with him since I have had him we have built up a great relationship. If there is something he is unsure on, he trusts me when I tell him it's ok and touch it myself and will then approach.

I'd much rather have a blank canvas of a horse and mould him into what I want him to be than buy one that's already got bad habits and you struggle to get them out of. But if that's other people's thing, then fair enough.

But this boy is one challenge I am thoroughly enjoying and day to day stuff he is enjoying doing it with me too. Everyone that sees him on the yard and even the vet asked if he was about 3 due to his behaviour, he is quiet and a diamond for me to handle and when others see it they keep remarking about how he unlike any other 18 month old they know. I also put it down to his breed as if you stand him next to anything else and ask the same things of them the attitude is very different.

And for the comment about him being 'cheap' and just wanting to crack on with him, you couldn't be more wrong. He cost me thousands and worth every penny.

Would I be doing it all again?

Hell fricking yes!:D
 
Tizzy - wish there was a 'Like' button as I would have liked your post. You will have a well behaved sensible horse once he grows up.

Just an example of what this sort of handling has for a youngster - I sold my homebred boy in October - in December he went to his first show. They parked the float in a lovely spot near some trees.

Got him off the float and tied him up - went off to get their program and when they came back to there horror he was now standing next to the bouncy castle - it had been unloaded and inflated while they were gone - he didn't give a stuff!

He'd been led out, taken to shows met so many things - we even have a picture of him standing next to me head under the awning of the coffee truck - nose on the counter as a foal!!!!!

Leading out is basic VERY SENSIBLE light work - a great investment for the future - those of you that have horses that stress when a truck goes past or a cyclist wooshes by probably spent their childhood playing in the paddock growing up.

Mine will still get led around and walked and will no doubt be like my others easy to break in. Ruby left on Monday to be broken in - and is already walking off the lead with her rider - she just accepted being ridden as part and parcel of life.
 
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