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Emmo
Bronze Member
Wales
132 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Aug 2010 : 08:40:21 AM
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Hi All
I have (amongst others) a 3 month old part bred Arab colt called Ozzy who walks all over me every time i go in the field with him. He bites all the time and if you take your eyes off him for a second will really nip quite hard. He runs into me, rears on me and basically treats me like a play thing!
None of this is done aggressively and at the moment when he does this i say NO and push him away from me but he takes no notice of this at all and just comes right back for more.
He head collars and leads, picks all his feet up and has all sorts done with him with no fuss at all. I don't remember having this problem with our last foal 3 yrs ago though he was much more laid back than Ozzy. I'm sure the nipping is just a baby thing that he will grow out of but its the rest that i would like to nip in the bud.
Help please!!!
Emma x
Emma
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2010 : 10:27:34 AM
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Is Ozzy turned out with other mares & foals? If not, maybe see if you can bring in a mare/foal of a similar age for him to play with. I understand your problem; you want him to have a good relationship with people so do not want to be reprimanding him all the time but his behaviour is unacceptable. Maybe he's a candidate for being gelded at weaning?
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
     
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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Emmo
Bronze Member
Wales
132 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2010 : 10:41:22 AM
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| He is out with his 3 yr old half brother, mum and another mare but no other babies. My sister has just bought another which will be joining us in October so will have someone to play with his own age then. He will be gelded before being weaned as we did last time so he will have his mum for comfort. I am not shouting, screaming or hitting him or anything so not giving him any reason to be scared of me, just pushing him out of my face and telling him no. Will just continue to be firm and hope its just a phase that will pass. |
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2010 : 11:32:15 AM
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You're doing everything I would  .
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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saddlebred
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1706 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2010 : 11:56:12 AM
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Diva has started doing this since she has been on box rest but she is nearly 14.2hh at 14 months so it is a bit hairy and I am hoping that she will grow out of it. I am doing the same as you but I have had to resort to a broom up the bum on a couple of occasions because she also thinks its fun to trap me in a corner and back up to kick me  .
I am sure you will get Ozzy sorted. Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Diva will be going away for some training if her little tests continue once she is back out in the field normally. I dont want it to become dangerous so will get an expert in if I cant sort it out myself.
I thought having a baby was supposed to be easier because you can mould them into your way.....erm... I think Diva is trying to mould me at the moment. |
Based Bewdley Worcs |
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Kazhak
Silver Member
Australia
352 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2010 : 1:51:52 PM
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I recommend carrying a piece of poly pipe or a plastic bucket, both make a very loud & shocking noise when slapped against a backside..
I grew up with several young colts & my dad always carried or had me carry a piece of poly pipe when I went in the paddocks with them.. obviously your not trying to maim your young ones but they do need to be taught the value of personal space.. an older horse would retaliate with a hoof or even a nip themselves..
I do also agree with an older female or several as they will also teach him respect.. over the last couple of years we have let a couple of our young colts stay in the paddock with their mums & other older mares until they were close to 18 months old, their mums naturally weaned them, & the boys are respectful of other horses & us!!
good luck & stay safe... with a bit of asertiveness on your part he will settle down, just trying to find out which part of the pecking order your in.. remember your the one at the top.. |
     
Last Picture Taken by Matt Bennet |
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BabsR
Platinum Member
England
2790 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2010 : 3:10:56 PM
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A quick squirt from a water gun may have good effect for the nipping, grabbing game....bit of a surprise and should stop the cheeky colt in his tracks...but will not frighten or hurt him!! and make him respect your space
With regard to backing up on you when in the stable...a quick bang on the stable wall with feed bucket or grooming brush etc may make him jump forward and think twice before lifting a leg in a playful kicking game
Babs
www.SunrayAngloArabianStud.co.uk |
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Nedds71
Gold Member
Wales
679 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2010 : 3:17:56 PM
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It doesn't matter how much respect he has for other horses space, if he doesn't respect yours. He see's you as an equal not a leader. Continued he will become perminantly more dominant than you. He needs to understand your space is yours.
I use a long lead rope to make my space with colts/fillys like this. Wave it strongly around your body, you are NOT using it to hit him! But if he walks into it and gets caught it will be the same to him as if another horse were using feet or teeth. It may take a few weeks but eventually he should wait to be invited into your space - this is a much more healthy relationship! |
BJ
www.bmjarabians.co.uk
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Emmo
Bronze Member
Wales
132 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2010 : 3:48:46 PM
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Having them from babies really does reward in the long run as when you come to back them, as i have found out on 3 different occasions, they are so trusting of you that its just a case of get on and go!
I spoke to a breeder the other day that doesn't attempt to handle her babies until they have been weaned which, she says, avoids all this.
They are all different with their own personalities and i know he will come good in the end. He will probably just need a slightly firmer hand than i am used to with the others! |
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Teaching babies about 'your space'
