Does anyone have any advise on how to get my 3 week old colt to behave?

Question

My 3 week old colt nips and bucks when I try to lead him. This morning I let him and mom out of their stall for a while before petting him and he turned around and kicked me. He can be very sweet at times and will let me halter, brush, lift his feet, and pet him with no problems most of the time. I know he's just testing me to see what he can get away with. I've started putting out with other mares to help. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Answer 1

Make it umpleasant for him to kick you. carrie a longe or buggy whip when you lead him. When he tries to kick you, swat his bumm untill he turns away(his bum). When he turns to you ( his head)put it down and pet him. For nipping, when he tries, grab his lips and twist them so this, too is unpleasant. I haven't had a foal that young, but i had a four month old filly who stopped nipping about one week. I have used the stop bucking answer to stop rearing except when she comes down i reward her. He may start to do this. So good luck

Answer 2

Be firm with him. Let him know that it's NOT okay to nip you or kick you. He's still a baby and is playful. It sounds like you're doing a good job with him already, though. Keep it up!

Answer 3

agh sounds like a typical colt, but yeah discourage him from testing you like that. he's doing that because he doesnt know where he stands in the hierarchy. at the top needs to be you! so once he knows that, he'll prob. stop testing you as much but i cant guarentee he'll stop all together(he may need to be reminded every once in a while) but once he knows where he stands he should be more comfortable. but it's very good that you can halter, brush and lift his feet. thats a fantastic start. just never turn your back on him or let your guard down, its best he learns not to kick or bite, 'cuz once he gets big, it'll be a tougher habit to break.

good luck! =]

Answer 4

Don't let him push you around. Those bad habits can make your horse very unpleasant later. What I would suggest is be very strict and raise your tone of voice. Don't be afraid to slap him and shout NO.

Answer 5

At 3 weeks old he should be LEARNING to be handled.  As for him testing you -he wasn't born with a desire to be a leader, he'll get there in plenty of time. There are a few real basics to be worked on such as learning to trust humans. Goodness, he's hardly old enough to know his own species, let alone a totally different one.

If you've managed to get a halter on him, well done. Leave it at that for now. He should follow his mother without you needing to lead him on a lead rope, which could actually be quite dangerous for a young foal, as neck damage could occur if he fights you.

I don't want you to think this is a lecture, but why don't you relax and enjoy the foal and give him time to find his feet, literally, and slow down to his speed. You'll only stress him by rushing him, and horses learn better if they are happy and unhassled.

You're not "letting him win", you're using your (superior) brain to get results.

Answer 6

I have the same problem, except my colt is 6 months!! Lol - (see my latest questions) Wish I had the mare around.

I would try just walking out with Mum at the moment with the colt following you both. That way he will realise you are there whilst walking about.

You could also tie him up with a rope to his mums halter. This will also re-inforce the leading and following with a rope idea.

Once he is comfortable with that, tie up Mom, keep her nearby and use a bum rope aswell as a lead rope and walk him about on your own . Little steps at first, stop, give lots of praise and continue doing that. Do this every day 3 times a day til he doesnt need the bum rope. Also what Ive been doing is, leading a little, then tieing him up to groom (which he loves) so the whole experience ends on a good note.

Another thing Ive learnt is you MUST stay positive throughout the whole thing. If you are thinking 'this chap is gonna bite me', then subconciously your body language is getting ready for him to bite you, so then he will bite you.

Be positive and act like its going to be a good leading session. Dont get irritated by his cheekiness. Stay positive all the time.

You have to dominate yourself over the foal, just like any other herd horse would do. Do not slap him when he goes to bite, this could make him head shy. Instead open your eyes wide, say NO loudly, and move towards him, pushing his neck back if needs be.

Be consistant with your work, he is only 3 weeks old so set yourself up for lots of this behaviour cos I doubt it will stop here.

Colts are naughtier than girls, so we'll have to persist! Good Luck.

Answer 7

hes only 3 weeks, so just give him a pull on the lead rope or slap him and say no.

Answer 8

Leading is a fairly simple situation to earn respect. If he mucks around or does anything that shows he isnt listening to you then back him up just by pushing him at the chest. Give him a few seconds to think then walk forward and he'll stop as soon as he reaches you. Also when you walk move his head around until he looks directly at you when he misbehaves. It will teach him to think about what you are asking him do rather than having his own thoughts outside of his paddock. If anything at least it will teach him to respect your space so he wont do anything stupid in your direction and you can from there if you need to, have the ability to tell him off without having to panic about getting knocked down.

Answer 9

it sounds like he needs a lot of ground work to teach him to respect you. Start slow with lounging and teaching him to move his hind quarters away from you so he'll eventually stop kicking you. He is trying to show you that he is dominant you need to listen to him..... if you lead him stand inbetween his head and shoulders that way you can see if he goes to nip at you can move his face away from you....don't hit him in the face though or he'll become head shy....try tapping him on his chest or shoulder......if he tries again tap a little harder.....when he's good reward him for it and he'll evantually learn that bad behavior gets punished and good behavior gets rewarded.

Answer 10

Typical colt behavior but you have to stop it now and be the boss. He does what you want from now on. I have always found that sitting around the new ones and reading a book out loud gets them used to the sound of your voice and you, plus they love the company.

good luck

Answer 11

Well Don't let him get away with anything get agressive but control it....be patient and FIRM! show him that you are his boss and he can't push you around but be calm and strong when your teachin him...don't get angry or frustrated just stay calm and he will learn