newborn colt that is mean

Question
A friend of mine has a Tennessee Walking Horse mare that just had a stud colt.  He is only 3 days old, and is trying to strike us with his front legs.  He raired up at a friend of mine and pawed, they are trying to imprint him, and he struggles and trys to bit and does bit, of course has no teeth.  Why would a newborn 3 day old colt be striking with his front legs and biting????

Answer
Cheryl-

Natural Instinct can be a terrible thing.  No matter how nice your friend is, when it comes down to it they are still a predator and that stud has centuries of fear on his side.

Imprint training begins as soon as the horse hits the ground.  If your friend didn't do that or didn't do it right it isn't going to happen now.  I would hold off on trying because it can be dangerous for the horse to keep striking out at that age.  Dangerous for you and him.  His legs are very fragile at this point and it can be dangerous for him to be rearing and moving his weight around like that.

I would let the little stud be a little stud for 5-6 monthes and then start working with him again.  By that time his bones will be a little more solid and he should be more familiar with people being present.  

Best of luck!  Let me know if you have any more trouble.

Michael Hockemeyer
Kicking Bear Mustangs

P.S. - I have yet to meet a young stud that doesn't try to strike out at first.  Fillies seem to know to run, and colts know to strike.  Its just the way it is.