3 year old

Question
Hi,
Sorry to be bothering you but I really need help! I recently bought a 3 year old gelding. He is an absolute pleasure to ride(although he still has a lot to learn). Theres just one problem. He has lived out for all his life an has no manners what so ever! He used to paw all the time but I managed to stop him doing that by hitting his leg with a stick every time he done it and telling him NO ! so he got the idea it was easier not to paw at all. So that one thing fixed! But he is very pushy! If he wants to go somewhere he'll go there even if it means running over the top of me! And he always wants to go somewhere so I'm constantly getting run over! One of the girls at my yard suggested smacking him on the chest overtime he started barging, it worked! For a while anyway! But now hes started turning round and kicking me when I smack him! Hes becoming quite dangerous and i don't know what to do! please help !!!

Answer
hi Fionna,
well it seems like you just have a stubborn young boy on your hands. lets see. for one you can use a stud chain on him. it will give you more leverage and more control. when he pushes his way forward through you smack his chest and make him back up and stand. if he turns to kick then get close to his shoulder and turn him in a circle and smack his butt with the crop as hard as you can. it sounds mean and it kinda is but its better to be alittle firm and get him under control or have a horse kick you and possible other people. he doesn't respect you and thats why he pushes you. do more round pen work with him and get him to turn towards you and fallow you in there. to get him to turn to you all you do is start out in his pen. have him walk around you on a line and when you say woa, make sure he stops and then pull him and have him face you. after he has done this praise him and let him know thats what you wanted. after a while when you woa he will automatically turn to you. next step go into the round pen and do this. keep him on the line and once he stops and turns to you, give him another command such as "come" or "in" and pull him in all the way to you. soon he will stop turn and walk up to you on your commands. if he doesnt do any of these, make him work. if he doesnt woa, cut him off and make him run the other direction. if he doesnt turn to you make him run a few laps. if he doesnt walk to you send him off to tro a few laps and then repeat your command.
once he is doing all this nicely the next step is to get him to fallow you. when he walks up to you move around him and make him move his butt and always face you. walk off and he should fallow. if he doesnt move back around him and make him move his butt. this will teach him to respect you and listen to voice commands better.
if you have anyother questions dont be afraid to ask. good luck!
amanda groff