Rising 6 years..teenage strops?!

T

thehorsediva

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 October 2009
Messages
176
Visit site
Had my horse 6ish months and recently it seems like one step forward two steps back. Its like he goes into total meltdown every couple of weeks, looses his manners and brain and throws his toys out the pram. In between these "sessions" he is good as gold and very quiet. I do a mixture of work inc groundwork with him and feel its a bit soul destroying :-( Is it normal for a horse to have these teenage strops at this sort of age? Anything I can do to try and keep progress a bit more consistent?!
 
I know I had similar problems with mine when he was turning 7. My friend said this usually happens around that age but id never heard of it before. Good news is they grow out of it so dont despair!
 
Yes I think it is normal, and after a relatively short period of ownership some horses like to test the boundaries as well. I bought my horse when he was five (in November, he turned six the following April) - he was an angel when he was five but started being a bit naughty and stroppy when he was six - disliking being groomed when he loved it before; napping slightly; spinning when out riding; not focusing in the school; not whinnying when he saw me like he used to etc. - it wouldn't be consistent (in episodes like you are describing) but there was definite teenage-style behaviour. He's seven in a couple of weeks and does seem to be coming out of it, although that could be because we have more of a bond now and I have had to be a bit firmer with him. He is generally a nicer horse to be around and more trainable as well, so hopefully he will be a lovely seven year old!

Remember the spring grass is coming through as well, so that could have a lot to answer for, behaviour-wise, especially if he's feeling a bit full of himself! I don't really have any advice in terms of getting through it - just keep routine as consistent as possible and ensure that he is turned out as much as possible; it might also be necessary for you to set some firmer boundaries so that he has less to get away with - at this stage you might find that if you give him an inch he'll take a mile, just like with human teenagers! Reward everything that he does well and reassure him, and you'll have your lovely horse back again soon, good luck :)
 
I think they just become aware of their strength and begin to question stuff. Bee's in a bit of a teenage stage (she's 6) and Al's going for the stupendously non-confrontational approach. So if Bee wants someone to walk next to her to go up the drive, then sure, as long as she goes. It's working much better than fighting- you've got to pick your battles it seems, especially with clever mares!
 
My homebred is rising six and for the last few months of last year was a nightmare, we couldn't have a hack out without her spoiling it somehow, either leaping at a car for no reason, prancing and snorting for no reason, spooking, bucking and once the dragon snorting started all went down hill. It was starting to get me down as she was just so naughty but even though she never got away with anything she just kept testing my patience. The last couple of months she seems to have turned a corner and seems a lot more settled and grown up and we seem to have made up. She had a snorting prancing headshaking strop yesterday when I rode past a house and loud music was thudding out but she did settle ok again.
I think they do have 'teenage' years, I just keep telling myself by the time shes 10 she may be quiet!!!
 
Thanks. It's so soul destroying as I am so careful trying to install manners and doing groundwork. I will just have to carry on being firmer than normal. Today he was vile to the lady doing his massage and when I tried to ride he freaked so much I couldn't get on. Ended up lunging and certainly won that battle but still was pushing it. Hopefully it's a phase, just makes me feel like a terrible horse owner!
 
i got my gelding aged 7 going on 8......once he turned 8 he had his teenage years.....didnt really settle till he was 10! but now hes grown up :) and behaves like he should....

it just went in cycles...few bad days, then few good weeks......each winter i saw a change in him and he came out of them much more grown up and responsible.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top