I need help with a colt...?

Question

OK, well, I have a colt and his mother died two days after he was born so he is being bottle fed. But he has this promblem with rearing that he has just started trying. What do I do? He didnt rear at first. Is it something that he will grow out of?

I really want to make him stop now so that he doesnt get the idea that he can do it when he gets older. I do make sure that he knows its wrong after he does it but he still trys it later. So can you help me?

Answer 1

Rearing up and knocking into other horses is part of a young horse's regular life.  They often rear into their mothers just for the fun of it.  Your orphan foal considers people to be its mother and friend, and he's displaying this behavior as a game.  He has no concept that you are small and weak and can be seriously injured while he's playing.

Orphan foals have huge issues with respecting people, because they don't have the natural reserve and mild fear that normal foals have.  Instead they consider themselves a human of sorts.  

I disagree with your comment that you don't think hitting him is the right thing to do.  When a foal rears into another mare, she doesn't just look at him crossly.  Instead she pins her ears, and runs at him hard and makes it very clear that he better not be doing that again.  His own mother will be much more tolerant with his actions, but the others in the herd won't.  You need to treat this foal like he was part of your herd, but not your baby, because he can potentially do huge damage to you or someone else.  I would carry a bucket or something with you into the pen, and if he tries to rear at or near you I would let out a bellow, and swing the bucket and smack him.  The bucket will make a loud "bang", it will hurt and also scare him pretty good without doing damage.  The moment he backs away and gives you some space, just go about your regular activities.  Dont' chase him around and keep being aggressive, just act the way a boss horse would.

Havig him in with other horses will be a huge help.  He will be weak in the "horse talk" area.  Foals that are raised without other horses can have life long problems with getting long in a herd, and also getting along with people.  If possible, could you provide him with another foal, or even a miniature horse to play with?  Its easier for them to relate to a horse their size.

Good luck.  I would suggest going onto google and searching "orphan foals" and reading articles on the topic.  It will give you some ideas how to make your foal certain that you are his boss and not his mother.

Answer 2

He's just being a foal. Foals are like kids, they like to play. However if he does it in a way of hurting you then that's not good. I don't have much experience with foals apart from my auntie has a 6 month TB colt but he's never done this. Have you had the vet round to examine him, there might be a health problem that you don't no of. If your hitting him when ever he does it that's the worst thing to do. Whenever one of the horses/ponies does something wrong we pull on their lead rope 3 times.

Answer 3

Sounds like hes just being a boy. We have a 5 month old colt who bites, nips, rears and kicks but all in good fun. For humans though it can end with cuts, brusies or serious injuries. They have to learn that we are the leaders and that we do NOT want to play. When he rears at you push him away and stand with your shoulders squared off towards him. If he comes and does it again give him a sharp tap on the shoulder (I use a dressage whip), kind of like saying "NO I dont want to play."

Use horse psychology. If you have ever seen a foal try to play with an older horse and that older horse doesnt want to they show aggression. That tap will simulate a bite and say "stop". Make sure when you do this you square off to him again. Watch for signs of submission like a chewing motion he will make with his mouth.

He may also jsut be lonely. Is it possible at all to get another foal(weanling) to be his buddy? I wouldnt suggest a small farm animal like a sheep or goat, it usually causes more problems that helpfulness with young horses.

Hope I helped!

Answer 4

how old is he?! If he's a stud colt it is normal for them to start getting rowdy. Once you get him gelded he should grow out of it. I work at a TB racing farm and we have the same problem with all our stud colts as they grow older.

Answer 5

He is just being a foal! He is still learning about the world and wants to try new things and have fun! If he continues rearing as he gets older I would try to break it from him. The best way to do this would be to each time he tries to rear up, bring him down and tell him no. Eventually he will stop.

Answer 6

take a 2/4 or somthing and when he does it say no very stern and when he does it crack him rite in the shins he will get the idea other wise its not going to sink in there is a fine line between disaplane and abuse and that is not abuse then u dont have to worry about it i hade on that would strike at u and i hit him rite in the shins and he never ever even thought about it

Answer 7

He's a colt he's going to try it on. You need to discipline him. Just a quick slap will put him in his place. If you don't you'll end up injured. Think about it this way if he acted like that towards another horse he would get a belt off them. You need to be the dominant one now before he gets any bigger.

Answer 8

I have a orphan. I got him when he was 3 days old. I bucket fed him though. Everything that I read said that bottle feeding caused way too many problems. My colt has never reared at me or tried to kick me...I don't let him nibble on me or anything either so he's never attempted to bite.

Is he halter trained?