Bratty Colt

[PinkStalkings]

I'm going to give a couple scenerios for anyone who might have some advice to offer... But first some facts. This is an Yearling Colt that I'm referring to. When I got him last fall we worked hard for a few months and mastered Standing for Halter, Backing, Tying, Longing [Right lead best, Left lead "Iffy"] Leading at Walk Trot and Canter, Catching, Clipping, and other basics like respecting space. He since has only been handled like a horse. Busy schedule during the holidays made it hard combined with bad weather and bad vehicle. But now.. New Schedule, More time, and new Car. Fresh start in my mind.. In his mind though. "You want me to do WHAT?!"

I clipped him a little over a week ago. He did Fabulous. A little bit more dancing than I normally like but its only the second time. No biggy. We're getting better. BUT Suddenly we don't tie, longe, stand [for anything] .. Its like he completely forgot EVERYTHING and combined with the curiousity of coming stallion urges we're in trouble. I got him to lead decently on the way from pasture to barn. Coming out of the barn was a whole other story. He was right behind me and then suddenly next to me kicking, striking, leaping, bounding.. Not at me.. just in general. He has more interest running circles around me, spinning around and leaping into the air than anything. I could have sworn a bee had stung him.

Nextly .. He is ONLY allowing me to stand in front of him. Won't let me stand beside him unless I'm brushing him and then he is so into it he is practically sitting on me.

When I "TRIED" to return him to his paddock this afternoon he was fine. Then three horses ran to their fence and stood talking to him and he about dislocated my shoulder *Backing* to them fast and hard. Three attempts to go in a we finally made it in with my covered in mud.

He has lost all interest in focusing and the only thoughts I had were Boot Camp and Gelding. So While I look for a trainer who still has a spot just for a boot camp session for two months in Washington I need some advice on ..

-- Getting to stand next to him.

-- I'm not a playmate .. I'm the boss.

-- Walk on .. not ... Fall back.

-- In your pasture NOW!

Someone suggested backing him into his pasture.. but he already likes that far too much. We're getting the tying and standing issues handled fine on our own...

PS - Anyone in Washington have a spot for a brat for a month?!

 

[Marty]

I sure wouldn't let this bother me.

It's still cold and nasty around here.

My horses have been laid up all winter long and done nothing with except get groomed, fed, and growing and thriving. Yes they get naughty when they are loaded with energy and haven't been worked with for months.

They are not going to just snap right back into focusing on training all at once. Take it easy. Your guy is growing and thriving and just being a young horse feeling his oats.

He'll straighten back out with work again. But you have to understand they are not robots and when you snap your fingers you will not get an immediate perfect response. You want a robot, then buy a robot but this kid of yours is just being goofy and getting his winter kinks out of him. And oh yes, hormones are kicking in absolutely and that's probably got lots to do with it too. But not to worry, you'll get him back under control with working again.

Just chill. Slow down. He didn't forget, he's just rusty.

Start over and ease him back into routine and be real firm and he'll come back around. Practice every day. Even if you only have 5 or 10 minutes that's good. His attention span is not that great still because he's young.

He did it before and he'll do it again but do keep in mind to be firm with him.

 

[countryrose]

The yearling spring awakening!

You worked really hard with him earlier and he just needs it again.

Walk into him and in a circle if he wont go forward.

Backing is a good thing but needs to be on your command, not his. Stand in front, tap on chest with a whip handle and back him every time he acts up. Use strong voice commands of "knock it off" or "NO".

Work on getting him to move over - use your finger against his shoulder and or hip when he is close.

They all seem to act up when first clipped in the spring also.

Give it a week and see if it gets better. No treats unless he does exactly what you want.

Then as my trainer always said--patience!. I have a mare I go thru this with every year after and during the first clipping of the year. She is my obstacle horse as this is what we do to work thru our disagreements.