"Terrible Two's"????

[domane]

Is there such a thing with horses? I have a gorgeous traditional gelding - he will be two in a couple of weeks and we've been together a year. He's very friendly, cuddly and follows me around like a dog in the field. However, in the last month or so I've detected a definite change in him.... just a few startings of a bit of assertiveness and bolshyness... butting me occasionally with his head (not tolerated!) that kind of thing... things he did a year ago when he was still entire and testing his boundaries. I'm sure I remember reading somewhere that they go through a bit of a Terrible Two stage and then settle again... might this be where he's heading - or could it be the grass - or both?

Thoughts?

 

[kerilli]

i've had a couple of homebreds go through it, definitely get a bit bolshy and 'big for their boots' as they grow to adult-ish size and strength and test the boundaries a little.
i'm sure if you snapped him out of it last time you'll do the same again, just establish the whole 'my space' thing again etc and remind him that friendly is lovely and appreciated, but bossy isn't!