Hello! Need some advice from all you experts! You are always so informative!
I have a couple of issues with my 20 month old colt.
(1) from the time he was about 6 months old, he will frequently toss his head (my farrier calls it "cork screwing"). He typically does this in his stall (as he walks in cirles waiting to go outside or for food), and waiting at the paddock gate to come inside. Occassionally, he does it while I am leading him. I find this behaviour very irritating and I don't know how to correct it. By the way, he is turned out 8 hours a day with his best friend, a gelding pony. I know his Sire has the same bad habit.
(2) now that it is winter, the road from the barn to the paddock has been somewhat icey in patches. All the other horses calmly, and carefully, walk across an icey patch. But my colt, the slightess slip of his hoof, he panics and tries to scurry behind me. One of these days he is going to barrel me over! How can I give him confidence? Is this just due to his age and he will grow out of it?
Thanks for your help!
Karen Moon (209.206.253.86)
Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2002 - 01:35 am:
Michelle, Sounds like a discipline problem. You need to let your colt know that tossing his head is not acceptable behavior, especially from a stud! And he needs to learn to respect your space whether he is walking next to you or following you. As he grows and becomes more sexually aggressive he may very well be running over you. Discipline depends on the horse, it could be as light as tugging on the lead with a firm no, or perhaps a sharp jerk from a chain accross the nose. If this is a problem that you can't handle, please find a professional to help you. Don't let him get out of hand or someone could get hurt.
Lynn (206.157.249.105)
Posted on Monday, January 21, 2002 - 01:18 am:
Michelle, I also had this head problem with a newly purchased filly. I found it was caused by being confined in too small an area for proper exercise.Her previous owner kept her in a small pen for 4 years. And it became a nervous habit. It is also a learned behavior from other horses. I only see it when she gets excited. Try to change his feeding routine a little earlier and handle him a lot. The more you handle a stallion, the better.I agree with Karen as to disciplining as this could become quite a problem in the future. Is he well fed? He may need more food intake. Some horses develope fearfulness when they get too hungry. As far as invading you're space and the fear of being trampled, I would walk him in a tight circle, keeping him an elbow away, every time he quits paying attention to you and starts getting skiddish. It is very important to keep him focused on you. You are the master. Maybe he is sensing your nervousness when you go to lead him. Try to stay calm. He seems somewhat nervous but is testing you to see what he can dominate you with. You might want to just stop him,let him smell the ice patches, pat him in reassurance and then continue your walk. Do this as many times as necessary. You could use verbal cues such as "easy now boy" when you are about to encounter snow, ice, etc. I hope this is helpful.
michelle (216.191.179.130)
Posted on Monday, January 21, 2002 - 02:34 pm:
Hi -- Thanks Lynn and Karen for your advice. My colt is in great shape...a nice healthy weight. He is in a good size stall and plays outside all day with his gelding buddy in an 1.5 acre paddock...plenty of space for just the 2 of them! The head tossing typically seems to occur when he is waiting (i.e. anxious to go out, come in, or for food).
Regarding leading him, he is very well behaved and respectful of my space, except when he is afraid/nervous. I am apprehensive about disciplining him (e.g. elbow in the shoulder or a sharp jerk) when he is already afraid...I don't want to create a negative association. I want to build his confidence. Lynn, I like your approach of positive verbal cues, which I have been doing, but so far it hasn't been working....maybe in due time....I hope.
I welcome further input or suggestions. Thanks again.
Anonymous (65.31.18.24)
Posted on Monday, January 21, 2002 - 11:47 pm:
Hi Michelle, I agree with you about not punishing a horse that is already afraid. The least thing you need is a horse that is both afraid of you and something else. Maybe you could spend some time walking around or grazing in the area that he acts up, let him see that he has nothing to fear. However I never allow a horse to make me feel like I am in danger. Yes, horses spook and can jump towards you, that happens. If you feel like he might run over you at some point, you probablly have a good reason to feel that way. Make sure you are walking beside him, don't get in front of him because you lose all control when he's behind you. If this doesn't resolve itself, I would seek professional help, maturing stallions can turn into a big handful in a hurry when they learn what they can get away with. Good Luck!
Lynn (206.157.249.111)
Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2002 - 02:05 am:
Michelle, I just wanted to clear up the elbow away statement. I didn't quite word it right. I meant to keep him an elbows distance away, when he walks by your side. Not elbow him. You sound like you are doing the right things with him. Eventually persistance will pay off. Be patient. I have learned from my stallion how much he wants to dominate. It is his nature. Whenever I handle him, he is assured when I am in control, otherwise he gets confused and frightened. Being in control of him also teaches him respect for you.
Kelly (63.172.47.183)
Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2002 - 05:29 pm:
You all have good advice on this subject. One thing that I would like to add is this; to dicipline your colt at a time that he is unsure should not be considered punishment. You need to have his attention to be able to reassure him. First the respect from him....then the reassurance from you.
Horses tend to get more afraid when there does not seem to be a "leader" in control. Watch how other horses behave in a herd situation. They absolutely do not use "positive" reinforcement. If he were in a herd, a dominate individual would make sure that he did what they wanted they would not worry about calming him. They would either, bite, kick, or bully him. We as humans forget how the dynamics work within a herd group. First get their attention and the desired result. Then, you may reassure ( calm ) with positive verbal cues.
To have a "lead" horse in control is what builds their confidence. Get his attention, demand that he follow your commands, then reward. If it takes a firm jerk, then do it. If it takes a chain over the nose, then do it. The key to corrction is when to quit with a stallion. When he "mouths" or sighs, he is done. Any correction past that would be threatening to him.
By the way, in a herd situation, he would toss his head as a signal of domination. He would herd his mares by lowering his head and weaving his head back and forth behind them to drive them forward. This behavior should not be allowed while you are in his presence and leading him.He is trying to assert dominance and take the lead. In his mind, someone needs too.
Michelle (216.191.179.130)
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 03:51 pm:
Thank you everyone for your input! Very valuable and helpful information!
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