Rigs, when do they calm down?

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pastie2

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I have a pony 14.2 to break in. He was castrated with an operation as one of his stones had not dropped. He was left for a year to mature, he is now 4 yrs old, he was covering the mare in the field, blood tests revieled that he was riggy. He had major abdominal surgery 3 weeks ago to remove a small piece of cord. His attitude is still apalling, he would rape, climb out of his stable to get to a mare. Has no regard for anyone or any horse. I am used to stallions, when I was with my husbund in Wales we stood 2, a big 16hh sec d and a sec c. I never had any bother with these stallions and they were covering mares most days during the covering season. These stallions could be reasoned with, had manners they were gentlemen. This one however is a thug. I am not doing much with him at the moment, just trying to get some basic manners into him, I know it could take 6 weeks to get the hormones out of his system, but there seems to be no improvement at the moment. If anyone has had dealings with rigs I would welcome some feedback.
 
Don't know about rigs but don't they give the stuff they give mares regumate ? to stallions to calm them with their hormones, ask your vet
 
It could take a lot longer than 6 weeks. I go by the *one month for every year* rule :)

Hopefully his attitude will right itself, but for now I would also be taking vet advice to try and supplement the behaviour out of him in the first instance and see where that gets you. Some rigs just never calm, they are a whole different kettle of fish to stallions, who, if handled correctly, know their manners. Rigs just seem off their heads the majority of the time, and if he doesn't settle then, if he were mine, there would only be one course of action I am afraid.

Good luck!
 
Weezy said:
It could take a lot longer than 6 weeks. I go by the *one month for every year* rule :)

Hopefully his attitude will right itself, but for now I would also be taking vet advice to try and supplement the behaviour out of him in the first instance and see where that gets you. Some rigs just never calm, they are a whole different kettle of fish to stallions, who, if handled correctly, know their manners. Rigs just seem off their heads the majority of the time, and if he doesn't settle then, if he were mine, there would only be one course of action I am afraid.

Good luck!
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Yes Weezy, I shall keep going until the autumn and if not 100% better it will be the final action. He should be a childs pony when all said and done! At the moment he would be a challenge for Ryan Moore! Will ask about calmers though. Thank you.
 
this may sound silly to you but is there anything homeapathic (spelling?!!) to help, we use some on the highly strung ones! maybe a calmer or something!?
 
Stick him on Gold Label Tranquil (Ingredients include: Basil, Hops, Mint, Oregano, Red Clover, Valerian) along with Global Herbs Rig Calm, both take a month to kick in but have really helped my lad, more so than HR injection he had the other year, I wouldn't be here without them!!
 
Witchy said:
Has he been with any other horses or has he been on his own - sounds like he needs to be put in a field of boys and let them teach him some manners?
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You are right, sadly he has been out with 2 mares one of which is his mother. So not only riggy but spoilt to boot. I hasten to add that he is not mine, I just have to sort out the many problems. I wouldnt bother normally with such a project, he is super quality and would make a lovlely SHP. Kenzo I shall certainly take your advice, as I know the trouble you have had with your boy.
 
Kenzo said:
Stick him on Gold Label Tranquil (Ingredients include: Basil, Hops, Mint, Oregano, Red Clover, Valerian) along with Global Herbs Rig Calm, both take a month to kick in but have really helped my lad, more so than HR injection he had the other year, I wouldn't be here without them!!
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I forgot to mention, with my lad, he still can't go in a field with any mares and it doesnt matter what geldings you put him in with (the worst of the worst will not bring him down a peg or two) just didn't work, so long as they know there place and no mares are in the field, there is no fighting as they don't go near him.
 
This is a worry as I am concerned that this way of behaving has gone on rather a long time, it will be set in his mind. It wouldt be QUITE so bad if he wasnt to be a kids pony. Has your boy still got a stone somewhere that cant be found or has that been sorted. Is there any cord left up there.
 
Another one to recommend Rig Calm supplement.

Your boy sounds very similar to what mine used to be like. We had him tested but he wasn't a rig, he was however gelded late (he was only gelded as apparently no one could handle him as a stallion as he was too dangerous!). Even afterwards he had a serious attitude problem and lack of manners! But after a year or two (yes sorry quite a while) he did begin to settle and be slightly calmer around mares!

Oh and he is 14.2hh as well. :)
 
Kenzo said:
Stick him on Gold Label Tranquil (Ingredients include: Basil, Hops, Mint, Oregano, Red Clover, Valerian) along with Global Herbs Rig Calm, both take a month to kick in but have really helped my lad, more so than HR injection he had the other year, I wouldn't be here without them!!
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Horrid Herbie is very riggy. I put him on Rig calm and it worked almost streight away. It's strong stuff I had to be careful not to let the colt get any while he was here as he is covering mares this season.
 
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