Starting a Young Stallion.

[Roisin_M]

Hey, after abit of advice, i'm about to take a rising three year old, warmblood stallion on permanent loan. He's touching 16.3hh atm, and i'd say he's going to get bigger as he's by Sequels Samista.

i've started, broken and backed several youngsters, but this is my first stallion. he has some behavioural issues, one being his extreme bolshyness, he barely pays any attention to me when i lead him and im fairly strong, he is also rude in his stable.

When he was younger, he was allowed to live wild and free for about 2 years, and has since been had a saddle on, and a rider which i'ver heard he took to well.

before i begin to think about sitting him on i want to make sure i do all the correct groundwork to ensure a happy horse, with good manners.

Any advice very much appreciated.

 

[AengusOg]

Using your strength against him will not achieve anything, and will only let him know how strong you are not.

Stallions can learn to be well-behaved, but you have to be careful how you go about teaching them as they don't like being challenged. You have to know when to get serious and handle them firmly and you also have to recognise when to lay off...same as any horse really, except stallions are always looking to dominate. They need consistant, sensible, switched-on handling.

Seek and contact someone with experience of handling stallions and see if they will help you learn.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

You need to be firm from the off with him tho and as said above, brute force or 'making him' will not work.
The old adage: ask a mare, reason with a stallion & tell a gelding is well worth remembering

Groundwork will be the same as any other youngster of same age

 

[Roisin_M]

My first post was worded wrong, seems like ive tried to use force, i havent, i know that will not work. Any particular tips for overcoming his bolshyness?

 

[Echo Bravo]

I'd find out your nearest stud farm and ring up the head groom for advice.

 

[competitiondiva]

Would post this in the breeding forum too if you haven't already, lots and lots of experience in there, though not as frequented as new lounge. Good luck though.

 

[AengusOg]

My first post was worded wrong, seems like ive tried to use force, i havent, i know that will not work. Any particular tips for overcoming his bolshyness?

I didn't think you'd used force, but you may be encouraging his bolshyness by trying to use strength rather than technique when leading him.

The most important lesson any horse can learn is to yield to pressure. Horses instinctively lean into pressure, and must be taught to yield. Whether the pressure is applied by a halter, the hand, or a training stick, or even by remote means, such as body posture/language, or swinging rope, or some other non-physical method, the horse must learn the correct response..to yield. Until he has done so, he will always be inclined to lean, or pull, or resist efforts to control him.

The horse learns, through the use of pressure and timely release, to be attentive and compliant, thus avoiding pressure, and, if the technique used is consistent and fair, to become habitually manageable.

Whatever way you introduce him to the use of pressure and release, you must bear in mind that there is no point in becoming annoyed or frustrated if the horse cannot understand what is being asked of him. He should simply be given another chance to work out what is required in response to the given cue. Horses should be repeatedly asked the same way, perhaps along with the use of a secondary cue, until they get it right, then praised for their response. Thereafter, it is repetition of the cue and generous praise which fixes the response to that cue.

If you decide to try this yourself, I'd advise you to use a training stick of some sort and a pressure halter to clearly indicate to the horse which parts of his body, and in which direction, he is required to move in response to your firm but gentle cues. If he becomes too strong or tries to dominate you, it may be necessary to poke him or tap or 'pop' him with the stick so that he is taught his boundaries and learns to respect your space.

However, I do think you'd be wise to have someone demonstrate competent handling techniques for stallions if possible, so that you can see what may be required to train your horse and stay safe.