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mittens
Platinum Member
 United Kingdom
2109 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 6:52:40 PM
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The latest topcis concerning horse abuse have prompted me to mention this. My friends have a new colt foal, about a week or so old. He is adorable, but I feel soon won't be...The Mum to this little man has been feeding him polos as treats already.She doesn't see the harm as she feels she is being kind. Given how much he is enjoying his new little teeth I just fear he will turn into a pocket monster. How do I best advise her not to do it without having a go at her? They aren't given as reward as such, merely because the mare gets one too. I think that if he takes a chunk out of me she might realize but I'd like to avoid that happening!
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leezee26
Gold Member
England
1123 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 7:45:01 PM
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| It is difficult when advising people on such a big thing for them, they are obviously overjoyed at having this wee man! Just maybe say to them that you knew someone that adored their little colt so much that they forever treated him, but he got too nippy and they had a heck of a job to get him out of it! Just a thought, good luck. Leighx |
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Mrs DJ
Gold Member
632 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 8:07:14 PM
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Over the years I've realised that the wisest thing to do is bite my tongue.
I've discovered that if you give an opinion to someone about their horse without being asked, it will come back to bite you on the ass!! (And is NEVER what you actually said)
We've just got a new livery on our yard - two year old gelding, sweet little thing.
What the owner is doing with a youngster, God only knows!! So far he's been in every field on the place, keeps getting moved around for various reasons, not allowed to settle into a routine.
The last move was to put him into a field with mares, who all promptly came into season causing all kinds of problems. He then refused to be separated from one of them, resulting in him striking out at the owner and generally going ballistic, to the extent of becoming quite dangerous by the sounds of it.
She rang the previous owner, who has advised that he be incarcerated in his stable for four or five days to 'stop his dependancy on other horses', and 'get back his respect for her' !!!!!!!!! So, that is what she is currently doing  .
Just brewing more trouble methinks.
Poor little beggar doesn't know if he's coming or going.
I know what I'd LIKE to say to her, but since I refuse point blank to let anyone interfere with what I do with my mare, athough I feel terribly for the little horse, I'm keeping my distance and restricting my opinion to a few like minded friends on the yard.
Rant over!
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BabsR
Platinum Member
England
2790 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2008 : 2:23:08 PM
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Mittens......you could put it another way, which may make your friend think twice about titbitting youngsters. We have been breeding for almost forty years....and NONE of our horses get titbits out of the hand!!.....only in their feed mangers or in a bucket!! and none of them BITE, not even our homebred stallions!!
Try suggesting to her that by hand titbitting her adored foal, she is in fact being unkind..no...CRUEL to the boy. Those now little teeth that just nip.....will quickly turn into BIG TEETH...that BITE. She will then be spending all her time, dodging the gnashers of a demanding and angry colt. He will become as you say a `Pocket Monster` ripping off her pockets and grabbing her clothing, and flesh,
for more...and more titbits on demand.
Then what happens...he will be hit and bullied for daring to bite and
known as a nasty animal, when his owner is to BLAME for causing a sweet foal (they are not born with bad habits or nasty temperament)
to be very disliked, which will most certainly lead to his abuse, and
maybe a bullet !!
If your friend really does love her new foal, I urge you to have a tactful word in her ear, before it is too late. By all means give your equine friends occasional treats and titbits.....but NEVER from the hand and out of a pocket.....ALWAYS in the feed manger or a bucket
Show your love by way of affection...scratching the spots they have difficulty reaching, patting and generally always making time for a fuss and a hug. Her then, unspoilt foal, will grow up a nice likeable chap, who will return her affection manyfold. Hands are not for titbitting, they are for fussing. Please, please dont turn your foals and youngsters into SPOILT BRATS, for their sake.
www.SunrayAngloArabianStud.co.uk
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Edited by - BabsR on 12 Oct 2008 4:26:55 PM |
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ashabarab
Gold Member
England
1378 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2008 : 4:15:42 PM
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l have also seen this happen with new owners/breeders over the years
it never ends well..
this foal will turn out to be the colt from hell..no one wants an animal who bites and is pushy and he will be as soon as he is denied his treats...then he will start to bite, they will become scared of him and sell him on...when they are really responsable for his bad behaviour
as no one wants a spoilt horse his future is looking very grim
horses should be a pleasure to own, if they are not there future is grim, or a bullet in the brain....
you can try and talk to them, they probally will not listen or thank you..but at least you have tried
ash |
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mittens
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2109 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2008 : 12:28:51 AM
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| Thank you to all for responding.I've also only ever given treats in bucket form, occasionally by hand but not often enough to form habitual pocket munching.I did make the mistake of endlessly scratching Whineys arse when she was first born only to later realise my appearance led her believe all I wanted to see was her backside. I stil get it now but I won't punish as it was something I created, I just ignore her and walk away which seems to work. Ditto new little man. He charged at me thre other day so I just "Bigguned" myself and he stopped.But it still worries me..... |
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