abbieandfiona
Well-Known Member
Just wondering what everyone else does when their youngster goes to kick out at them. My 2yr old did it at me today second time now in 3 months for no reason. So gave her a smack with leadrope. Right thing or not?
Youngsters and behaviour
- Thread starter abbieandfiona
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Cedars
Well-Known Member
Raise a leg, or actually kick out?
abbieandfiona
Well-Known Member
first time raised a leg this time kicked out
Cedars
Well-Known Member
Raise leg would have got a VERY firm "ah AH" or a growl and a no. Actual kick out would have got a whack with a leadrope across the rump.
Dexter
Well-Known Member
The first time would have been a growl and big scary lady behaviour. The second time I would have done whatever it took to move them away and out of my space whilst letting them know it was wrong. If a smack with the leadrope is what it would have taken then so be it. My yearling bit me the other day just because he could. He got the whole scary lady routine and was sent back away from me. I doubt he'll do it again as he now knows that I am not to be bitten and if he does theres a consequence to his behaviour.
Our nanny moves them about with a glance now, but there has been times, when they first emt him that hes launched at them teeth bared. Hes never to my knowledge bitten them, just put the fear of god into them. I try and do similar
Our nanny moves them about with a glance now, but there has been times, when they first emt him that hes launched at them teeth bared. Hes never to my knowledge bitten them, just put the fear of god into them. I try and do similar
missyme10
Well-Known Member
I've a yearling and a 2 year old and both try their luck - its just their age, they push the boundaries to see how far they can go.
In these early learning years, its so important to teach them its not ok to bite, kick etc.
If you dont stamp it out quick, they soon realise you're a soft touch and will just keep pushing you.
If mine were to bite or kick me, they'd get s sharp slap to the chest and made to back up until the definace in their eyes had gone. Very important to then give praise and reward for them accepting your discipline - bit like kids lol.
Some think this is wrong to give them a smack, but those with that view often end up with a fully grown bad mannered bolshy horse that has no respect for its owner.
I'm a great believer in a horses natural behaviour, if they were to kick or bite an older horse in the paddock, they'd get one hell of a kick or bite back, its a horses way of telling them off and letting them know they wont tolerate it, so the smack and making them back up out of your space sends exactly the same message x
In these early learning years, its so important to teach them its not ok to bite, kick etc.
If you dont stamp it out quick, they soon realise you're a soft touch and will just keep pushing you.
If mine were to bite or kick me, they'd get s sharp slap to the chest and made to back up until the definace in their eyes had gone. Very important to then give praise and reward for them accepting your discipline - bit like kids lol.
Some think this is wrong to give them a smack, but those with that view often end up with a fully grown bad mannered bolshy horse that has no respect for its owner.
I'm a great believer in a horses natural behaviour, if they were to kick or bite an older horse in the paddock, they'd get one hell of a kick or bite back, its a horses way of telling them off and letting them know they wont tolerate it, so the smack and making them back up out of your space sends exactly the same message x
abbieandfiona
Well-Known Member
I have one bargy horse already she doesnt kick does bite just not me, but as keep at own place no issues anymore.
Thats why i dont want another one like that being a highland they are strong enough as it is. Glad it seems ive done right thing with her.
Thats why i dont want another one like that being a highland they are strong enough as it is. Glad it seems ive done right thing with her.
missyme10
Well-Known Member
I used to have a highland and he was a bolshy little pony.
It was through him I learned the hard way, he started with the odd kick, the odd nibble but not quite a bite, and I used to just verbally tell him no in a stern voice.
He soon learnt that he could get away with whatever he wanted, and he was incredibly strong, he was only 14.1hh but I have yet to meet any 16hh+ horse as strong as him.
It ended up him being so badly behaved, he would bolt at mounting if he didn't want to be ridden, would do the same coming in from the paddock if he didn't feel like it, and he try to double barrel me whilst fleeing, he turned into a complete horror and it was my own fault.
My yearling who is a welsh section D is as strong willed as they come, she's a right little Madame, she constantly tries her luck and is again very strong, she's quite funny in that she goes to bite me and pulls back sharply to see what I will do and looks at me in total defiance, she knows whats coming and accepts it and then behaves. I will not make the same mistake with her, I am fair but firm and take no nonsense and she now respects me for that. She will continue to try her luck, but its limited and half hearted as she knows I wont tolerate it. She's also a very dominat mare - has to be kept in with older horses and is still nearly top of pecking order !
Be firm from the word go, your youngster will run circles around you if he thinks for one minute he can get away with it - its just part of growing up for them, they are exactly the same in the field with other horses, they always push boundaries.
It was through him I learned the hard way, he started with the odd kick, the odd nibble but not quite a bite, and I used to just verbally tell him no in a stern voice.
He soon learnt that he could get away with whatever he wanted, and he was incredibly strong, he was only 14.1hh but I have yet to meet any 16hh+ horse as strong as him.
It ended up him being so badly behaved, he would bolt at mounting if he didn't want to be ridden, would do the same coming in from the paddock if he didn't feel like it, and he try to double barrel me whilst fleeing, he turned into a complete horror and it was my own fault.
My yearling who is a welsh section D is as strong willed as they come, she's a right little Madame, she constantly tries her luck and is again very strong, she's quite funny in that she goes to bite me and pulls back sharply to see what I will do and looks at me in total defiance, she knows whats coming and accepts it and then behaves. I will not make the same mistake with her, I am fair but firm and take no nonsense and she now respects me for that. She will continue to try her luck, but its limited and half hearted as she knows I wont tolerate it. She's also a very dominat mare - has to be kept in with older horses and is still nearly top of pecking order !
Be firm from the word go, your youngster will run circles around you if he thinks for one minute he can get away with it - its just part of growing up for them, they are exactly the same in the field with other horses, they always push boundaries.
abbieandfiona
Well-Known Member
Thanks i know never met a stronger horse compaired to my 2 highlands, she is normally really quite so very rare for her to do anything wrong. Couldnt cope with her being the same as other one. I know the other ones not my fault has bad history etc she is fine with me not so much with others.
So much to learn having youngsters she is my first, also have youngster shetland but she is companion and will always be a companion and is easy to handle. Good practice for future foal as well. This way will know how to deal from day one. Think its because im by myself with them more worried and want them to have manners etc as no one around if things go wrong in any way.
So much to learn having youngsters she is my first, also have youngster shetland but she is companion and will always be a companion and is easy to handle. Good practice for future foal as well. This way will know how to deal from day one. Think its because im by myself with them more worried and want them to have manners etc as no one around if things go wrong in any way.