STOCKYARD
HORSE  DISCUSSION FORUMS

Playin With Fire

We had a really flash colt come to the stud 2 years ago as a 2 year old. He was already over 16.2 hh and had been paddocked alone to 'prevent injuries'. So as expected he had NO manners. He was pushy ignorant and bit at every opportunity. It got to the stage when he was down right dangerous, as some of you have said half the time they think discipline is some form of game. He flattened me twice, once leaving a dent on my back, the other almost removing a boob (gonna need those eventually). I put my pitch forward that regardless of his breeding he needed the snip. He got to over 17hh and progressively worse but it took him flattening my friend (and breaking her collar bone), for them to geld him. Even now he is still semi bad. Some of them just don't learn.

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'There's no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse' - R.S. Surtees (1803-1864)

biscay

I am not overly experienced with the young horses or colts for that matter. But I do own a 9 months old colt.

I am lucky, I have not had a problem with nipping at all so far ( ofcourse not saying that is neccessarily good management could just be a fluke hehe ).

From the start I never let him mouth anything when I was around. I dont give him tid bits, all treats are in a bucket. If he got a bit pushy with me when in halter, or even beside me in paddock, I would do what I call a "mare pinch". Basically, you just grab the side of the next and pinch really hard... just like a mare would bite to repromand her youngster. He very soon got the picture that I was dominant mare, and he had to behave.

He is also in a paddock with 4 other horses ( big paddock ) and they are dominant over him thankfully which has helped me no end. I also handle him in blocks. So might bring him out for walk and feed etc for a few days at a time, then tip him out for weeks without much fuss except to walk up to him and check him over in paddock .

Good luck, but whatever you do I wouldnt ignore it. Deal with it now, and get the snip ( the horse not you hehe ).

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Insanity is heriditary - I get it from my kids

Jonsie

Well we have been progressing steadily... we gave him some toys in his paddock (traffic cone and tyre feeder) which he absolutely LOVES! he hasnt tried to nip me personally lately but did try it on with 'Bon&Ted' when she came to visit on saturday. It was only once or twice tho and she didnt let him get away with it so he got the message that she was dominant over him etc. I have noticed that he is now exploring things more with his lips than his teeth so that is an improvement but we arent waiting for him to proove us wrong!

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Petite Pastures

I have a tricky one, my colt (rising 4 ) is a perfect angel at home, he is not allowed in my space and listens and obeys without any resistance at home. When I take him out to a show he is relaxed and you wouldnt even guess he was a stallion most of the time. Can lead him around at shows and he is no probs ............... until................... you enter the ring, he starts walking sideways and biting at me, trots sideways or bounces with his head turned to bite the whole time LOL. If the judge isnt in the ring he behaves but as soon as the judge comes in he goes silly.
Tried getting people to pretend to be a judge at home but that dont phase him. Any suggestions?

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*Huge Stud Reduction* UPDATED WEBSITE www.petitepastures.com

sil

Sounds like he's cottoned onto the fact that he can play up in the ring without fear of correction.

Try making a full metre of space away from him on the lead so it's harder for him to have a go.

I'd also consider having a ring made with a bit of a prick on the outside, wear it so when he tries to bite at your hand he smacks himself and gets a prick.

In the end though you may just have to discipline him soundly in the ring and be done with it.

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Black Orchid American Saddlebred Stud
http://www.blackorchidstud.com.au

Shmoo

I've seen the "naughty colt in the ring" behavior a few times and what it looks like from outside the ring that I see is that when you are leading them while not judged, your probebly relaxed, there is probebly more space between you and the horse, he is perhaps more behind you leading at the end of your lead. When in the ring all of a sudden you are at attention, you may be nervous, hold the horse closer to you and you are leading nearer his shoulder within "try to nip" distance.

They are expert body language readers, heck, they know when it's on they get savvy and you can't send them out of your space, because of the ring etiquette. Smart cookies.

Petite Pastures

LOL yes they know you cant do much when they are getting judged !!! I would so like to put him in his place in there but can you imagine the talk LOL.

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*Huge Stud Reduction* UPDATED WEBSITE www.petitepastures.com

sil

There are lots of ways to discipline a colt including backing them up, making them work, using the stud chain. Doesn't need to involve yelling and waving your whip

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Black Orchid American Saddlebred Stud
http://www.blackorchidstud.com.au

Bon & Ted

LOL he's norty . He seemed to understand the whole associating the bite with the leg thing I personally think with Rumble it's not neccesarily a colt thing, all young horses will try it on, my little girl is trying it on big time, lucky her breeders won't tolerate it. Of course dropping 2 stone with Rumby will help big time

ashka

I have never heard of this strategy before Smash, but I like your logic! I am going to try it during rugging time.

I agree totally with Sil - my boy is mouthy and a combination of treats and half hearted smacks have made him think nipping is all a big game - and he is better at it than me!!! We got rid of the problem for a while but unfortunately everyone that handles the horse has to think along the same lines for it to work - hard to make happen when people feel the need to give your horse carrots and play with his mouth.