Teenage tantrums or stallion stroppiness?

Enfys

Enfys

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 December 2004
Messages
18,085
Visit site
What do you think, what would be your course of action?

Zeus has recently (last two days) started rearing if he doesn't want to do something. It is just half rears (my head height) and not striking out, but it isn't something I want him to continue doing.

He is still very quiet and calm, and I think it is tantrums rather than stroppiness myself, for instance I can be taking him to the barn or the field (he always comes in/goes out first, it is just our routine) and all of a sudden he'll stop and when I ask him to go on, up he'll go. I just let him get on with it and make him back up a few paces once he's down again which he's quite happy to do.

What would you do?
 
Enfys, my new forest gelding used to do exactly the same thing when he didn't want to do something. Never struck out, never went very high, but it was sheer bloody mindedness, and I dealt with it by ignoring it and making him walk on the second his feet touched the ground....to be fair once he'd done that he gave up, it was almost his last defiant act before giving in and doing what he was told!
I would just put it down to stroppiness. With Lukey, this phase really didn't last very long(a month at most), and now his preferred mode of naughtiness is stopping and stamping his feet, it's bl00dy hilarious!
 
Enfys, my palomino quarter horse used to do it too....when I first got him I tried lunging him and due to him being a little lazy he really didnt want to do it so just reared. He started to do it when I was leading him somewhere he didnt want to go as well and just showing off a little. He was three at this point. I just ignored it and carried on pushing him forward and he seemed to over come it. I think he previous owners had let him do what he liked and became scared of him so he just thought he could do the same with me....no way. Im pleased to say he is now 5 and very relax.
My lad looks very much like your chap in the left corner of your signature. :0)
 
Jesse reared when he didn't want to go forward, or when having his feet picked up. Never gave in, let him rear, and asked again, never take no for an answer. With his feet it was a case of letting him get his confidence up, learning to balance and not letting go till he'd stopped struggling. He hasn't reared for weeks now. If Jesse grounds him self I find a lunge rope around him (It's just me doing him and theres sod all point pulling) and he'll walk forwards to that.
 
Interesting that most of you just ignore it. I don't. I lead any horses who show this sort of attitude, in a rope halter. If they go to rear up, I quickly pull them down and without stopping, I firmly ask them to walk on. Then I immediately alter my method of leading by using the pressure release system, and I continue with this method until a couple of weeks afterwards. Can't think of any who have ever done it again.

Mind you, I don't let my guys away with anything - the moment they start displaying any unwanted behaviour I knock it on the head immediately. Mine have to be exemplary as most of them are seller-ons and must have excellent ground and ridden manners, to be of interest to my buyers.

I never ignore behaviour in horses; whether it be good or bad. Good behaviour is rewarded, bad behaviour is firmly nipped in the bud.
 
Tia I was going to to say the same as you - you've saved my finger tips from excessive wear
grin.gif
Thank you!

Re: stallion chains - yes have used them and will on certain horses if that's what their used to.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top