3-month colt

Question
Hi, i recently got a baby quarterhorse 3 month old for free. he hadn't been worked with since the owner died suddenly of cancer. so when I went to pick him up he was being weaned from his mother also. we got the halter on him, lead him, and trailered him (all this being his first time). trailering didnt' go very well. he did'nt want to get into my stock trailer so he basically fell down in there and we shut the door. I put him in a inside stall when i got him home for the first week with my shetland pony to keep him company right next to him in a different stall. he eats all on his own, hay, grain, and drinks just fine. the 2nd week I brought him out to a stall outside or boarded fenced area along side of an older mare to keep him company. now when I go to feed him his grain he pins his ears back at me and turns his butt at me like warning me to get away from him or else. I took my stick (rod) out there and rubbed him on his head with it working my way back down his shoulder and to his back and when I got to his back he kicked at it and swished his tail. I have raised two other babies born at my place and spent a lot of time with them and they never did this but being his experience and no handling ever I expected this, and I know that it's a behavior that I won't stand for and I know that I need to show him who's boss. I just don't want him being crabby around me or have a bad attitude. any suggestions as far as getting him to get rid of this?  

Answer
Hello,
I usually try to leave the little ones alone until they are a bit older. However since he was weaned early and needs to have someone working around him here is my suggestion. I would take a plastic bag with you when you go to feed him either loose or attached to a stick. When you go to feed him and he turns away from you make noise with the plastic bag, when he even starts to look at you stop. Basically you want to teach him that if he keeps a respectful eye on you you will feed him and go away. If he pins his ears and turns you get big! I also would try to find some horse to turn him out with, no one can teach manners to a colt like another horse. Sounds like you have done this before and know what you are doing, I would just keep to the eyes on me respect stuff for a while and when that is good then start working with his legs.
Best wishes