yearling colt problems

Question
Hey!! I have owned a yearling part appaloosa stud colt for 2 months, and he has some quirks and problems I can't figure out. I hope you can help.

When I tie him for grooming, he starts sweating. I'm in the deep south, and it's muggy hot, but it's not just the heat. I have tie rings inside the shed he has access to. (He's on pasture.)He stands okay, but paws alot. He picks up his hooves a little, but starts trying to get them away in just a second, not even long enough for me to pick his hooves. Then he gets even more agitated. I can't hold on to his when he's moving it around so much (I weigh less than 100 lbs). When I tie him so that he can sort of see, he's pretty good, but when I tie him flat against a wall, he moves his rump so he's sideways. I think he's scared of not being able to see in front of him.

He likes to follow me around when I'm in the pasture. However, he walks right behind me. This makes me nervous.

He was not messed with at all until I got him. He's been with a herd all of his life, and I think he's lonely, which makes him sassy. I'm going to get a grown horse soon, will that help keep him in line? Just wondering.

He doesn't lead. At all. I can get a halter on him with little to no problems. He won't come to me, but I don't have to chase him. But when I have the halter and lead on, he won't move. I have a crop. I ask with the lead, then tap with the crop on the rump, then tap very firmly with the crop on the rump, but he just stands there and acts lazy. The only way I can get him to move is if I get in front and tug on the end of the lead. This is dangerous. I know. And I don't like doing it. I've read a ton of stuff on starting colts and stuff, but I can't make it work.

I have my stuff back of the shed. And about 4 times, I'll come out and around, and he'll follow, and start bucking. I have to move to get out of the way. I'll be quite honest. It scares me. I'm not sure why he's doing it. The first two times it was just barely sprinkling, and I know one time I had a wheelbarrow, but he's been in rain his whole life, and he's been with wheelbarrows.

And twice, he's run and bucked towards me when I was going to the gate. There's about 120 yards between the shed and the gate. And I'll be walking back, and all of a sudden, I'll hear him coming too. Both times he didn't start coming till I was almost to the gate, so I could get under just before he came up. And both times (I have 3 dogs) the dogs who can get very protective of me, stepped in and almost got kicked.

It may be a respect issue - he definately doesn't respect my space, but I don't have a round pen, and until I can at least make him walk, I'm not really sure how to address the issue. He was getting nippy, but now whenever he does it I put my finger in his cheek. I think he's rethinking that now.

I have no idea why he does it (charging). I look back when I'm coming in to make sure he's not bakc there. I'm finding myself avoiding working with him, which makes me mad at myself. And I know that avoiding the problem is just making it worse. I think I can work on the leading, but I'm not going to have the heart  for it until he stops the charging stuff. Should I have him gelded??? I will sooner or later, but I'd rather it be later. I can't get a trainer, and I'm sort of stuck.  I've been around horses, but I just can't figure this out. I'd appreciate any time and info you can give me!!!!! Thanks again!!!!!  

Answer
HI Mary!

Raising your own saddle horse is the most fun!  You will be able to develop a wonderful relationship and you will know everything that has gone on in his life and that is a big deal!

So, lets just jump in and start dealing with some of these issues.  When do you plan on having him gelded?  I geld mine as soon as the testis drop.  This eliminates a majority of the aggressive behavior like charging you and your dogs and chasing you down in the pasture.  He will be a much happier horse when he no longer has the hormones to deal with.  That for me would be step number one!

I wouldn't move to get out of his way when you are in the pasture.  He would move to get out of MY way.  Take your rope halter out with you.  Use the tail end of your lead and give him a nip on the shoulder with the lead rope if he approaches you in an aggressive or careless manner.  You are his teacher, leader and boss.  Allowing him to push you around is clearly unacceptable, period!  He is just a young energetic stallion that is doing what stallions do and that is rule his world.  I happen to love riding a great stallion, but is is very different.  For the horses sake, only the best of the best of the best should be left as stallions.  It is humane in my book to geld and not have the horse battling raging hormones.  It also takes a very special hand to get along with a stallion.  So, call the vet today and in a month you both will be much happier!

Your colt feels trapped when you tie him.  It is not what is in front of him that is bothering him it is what MAY be behind him.  Get him good at changing eyes.  He needs to become more comfortable with things going into the blind spot that is directly behind a horse and then having the object pop out on the other side.  You can help him be more confident  by doing this:  halter him with a good rope halter that has a 12' tree line lead rope attached, stand on his left side and run your lead rope down his RIGHT side and behind his rear end, take a hold of the end of the lead and step back up toward his left shoulder, hold a bit of pressure on the end of the lead and "unwind" your horse.  It may take a bit for him to figure this out.  Keep a soft pressure on the lead and as he starts to tip his head away from you to the right, smoothly, take up the slack until he turns completely around.  Get him good at this going both ways.  He needs to be smooth at this.  He may get a bit touchy about the rope, so stay in a good position.  This will help him a lot.  Also, start using a flag, a tarp and your slicker around him.  Get him good and comfortable with these items especially around his hind legs and rear end.  NEVER tie him and throw this stuff at him.  Halter him and don't make him stand still.  When you expose him to these things allow him to move in a 10 meter circle around you making sure he keeps his inside shoulder elevated and his inside hind leg reaching up and under his body.  This is called yielding the hindquarters.  He is not allowed to step into your space, if he does send him out by adding pressure with your tarp or flag or what ever you are exposing him to.  Some people call is sacking a horse out.  The way we do it has some major differences.  Not MAKING your horse stand still is the big one.  When you make a horse stand  they become even more scared of the item you are trying to get them more confident with.  It makes them feel trapped.  If you put them to work and allow them to move their feet but in a very meaningful way, it builds confident and eliminates fear.  If your horse feels like stopping, let him, take the pressure off and rub him, really make him feel good.  Keep up this pattern until he is totally comfortable with all of these new objects.  I'm betting he will tie better with more confidence when he get good at dealing with tarps, flags, slickers and changing eyes!  

Try this out.  Let me know how things are going and I'll give you more to do.  I SHOULD have a slide show of each of these things on my website this coming week.  I am working on it!  Also, check out the colt starting and groundwork  DVD's by Ray Hunt and Buck Brannaman.  These are wonderful resource materials that will really help you.  

Keep me posted.  I wanted to get this answer off to you.  I'm going to read you letter again and I might have to revise and send you more information if I missed something.  

Remember, you are lead mare, you are the boss of your own little herd which by the way includes your dogs.  Demand respect, be honest, be smooth and be fair.  Your horse is your best teacher and you are the best trainer for your horse!  I'll help you all I can, ask all the questions you want!

Smiles and Miles, Horseback of course! Denise