So miserable - at my wits end

[MyBoyFinn]

After coming down on my face last week he was moved sharpish to a field all by himself in the middle of nowhere, I have done 120 miles since sunday just to feed him. Anyway, I havn't enjoyed this week, for starters I hate the thought of him being out and all alone and I find it scary dealing with him knowing that if anything happens no one would know for hours.

Then, today I went up unpadlocked the gate and went in, the food room is at the end of the shelter about 10 metres from the gate but every time I took a step he tried to block me, shaking his head around and trying to bite me, so I made my self big and shoved at his shoulder and shouted NO..... he reared!!!!!!!!

I went back to the car and bawled!!!!

I am going to buy more food and go back up tonight and put it over the gate.

I cant remember the last time I felt this sad, useless, angry, upset, and I just dont know what to do next......

[black crow]

Oh no!

Do you think getting an RI out might help? It sounds you both really need some help

Big big hugs xxxx

[GR & Me]

Oh no. That sounds awful. It sounds like he is testing his boundaries, unfortuantely hes doing it in a scary way! Avoiding it may make it worse as he knows he can get away with it.

Do you have someone who is experianced with youngsters or horses in general who can come up and help you deal with him, might be better/safer with two tackling the problem????? Not sure what else to suggest but I'm sure you will be shaken up so hope you are okay.

[black crow]

I agree it sounds like he is testing the boundaries, but even still, it can be dangerous if they push it too far.

Sorry for putting RI, i ment RA, Kelly marks reccomended associate, they are brilliant people - the same methods worked for me with a lot of youngsters, so im certain they would be able to help you both if you chose. Where abouts in lincs are you? I think Garry might be closest.. Him getting like this wont do you any good. xx

[MyBoyFinn]

Thank you BC, Kelly Marks book on Perfect Manners is never more than a foot away from me at the moment. I live near Humberside Airport and Finn is currently in Caistor. An RA sounds interesting what does he do? Are we talking loads of money? I need to get this sorted it is on my mind constantly.

[so-n-so]

how old is he?

if hes on his own in a field he will be using you as a play substitute.. horses need to play - like kids really, and if no other horses are around they will usually end up trying to play with their owners.

my big lad vinnie is coming 3 and will do as you have described, hes trying to direct your movements as to say - im moving you, as in the wild the leaders move the other horses. :cheekywink:

iv got the kelly marks book and good they are but it really doesnt give you any guidence to dealing with young pushy horses that are in fields etc...

you COULD try - now wait for me getting shot down..... parelli, it may cost a bit to get the inital equipment BUT what price can you put on your life and gaining a bond with your horse??? :cheekywink:

when your horse is trying to block your path, the driving game would really help you, you can carry on walking and drive his head and neck out of your way, or his whole body with your carrot stick.

my boy is 16hh and him rearing and trying to bite you isnt funny! :scared: its naughty and he knows not to, i can usually make him think twice by wiggling my finger at him.. yes wiggling my finger, he would stop and shake his head and walk off as if to say '******!' :lol:

good luck in what you decide to do!!!!

[black crow]

Oh my god, where abouts in caistor? the EC center? He's 5/10 minutes from me!

An RA basically uses the same methods Kelly does. They will assess your boy and go through the issues with you. They can then start working with him on their own, or bring you into it to get you both working together. Im certain it would be Garry, but the sessions arent that expensive, i think hes charging around £30 for the first session - go on their website and use the search for an RA, it should tell you who is closest to you and you can go from there..

Really wish i was back in work as horses with issues was the work i loved doing! Grrrrrr

[MyBoyFinn]

So-n-So - He is 9 months old.

BC - His field is up Whitegate Hill.

We did try him with a shetland for company but Finn was too mean to him.

My daughter and I went back to his field at tea time, he stood happily getting a scratch from me at the gate while she went in and sorted his tea he then stood perfectly while she put his head collar back on (its a fieldsafe). "Oh well Mum at least you know its only you he's funny with" she says!!! :miffed:

Garry Bosworth is my nearest RA - and its my birthday soon :cheekywink:

thanks for all your advice/thoughts I was feeling really rubbish :o

[BEX101]

is he still a colt?

[MyBoyFinn]

Yes still a colt, I am gonna get him gelded as soon as the weather is right.

[annmarie]

ohh we had this with our horse he was in field with the ponies and older horses was getting as you described cow kicking @ us and stuff because he wanted the grass outside his field gate and was bossing the other smaller older ponies about so so he was moved to the geldings fiels within a week of horses going out for summer and he got put in place by the older horses learnt some manners in respect of personal space and we also for a few weeks used his lead rope round his nose applied light pressure when he went for grass on the verges etc on way to stable and released pressure when he listen or walked on but putting him with older horses was the thing that did it i know you have a colt and may not be possible till he cut but thats what we did under expert guidance it was scary for us putting him with the grown ups but he was fine

[black crow]

Ohh Jase has probably seen him :p

Yay, i totally reccomend Garry, he's brilliant. Go for it!

[My Crazy Clan]

He's a colt isn't he? they can get very playful at this age. I would have him gelded asap if your not planing on keeping him entire and keep being boss. He will eventually calm down but it doesn't happen over night, also he needs friends to play with! all the time hes along he will to you as a "playtoy" I don't think you need RI?? or whatever they are called, just be firm, patience and get him some friends, its amazing how company makes a difference.

[Mobell]

As BC says contact Garry Bosworth he is very good. I contacted him when I had problems with my mare. Will pm you his e-mail.

[BEX101]

Gelding will work wonders. Are there any bigger horses to turn him out with? I know you wouldnt want him knocking around too much but in the wild disrespectfull youngsters are put in their place by the older horses.

[menaimiss]

Yes still a colt, I am gonna get him gelded as soon as the weather is right.

The weather is right now hun, if you leave it much longer the flies will be out and you'll have to leave it until the end of the year.

If it's any consolation, our 8 month old colt is changing from the sweetest thing into a monster.......so it's not just you :cheekywink:.....However he belongs to my daughter who bought him as she wants a ridden stallion ready for when she finishes college and Uni...so he won't be being gelded :miffed:

I'm sure your boy will come right, he's just testing his boundaries and you've had some good advice offered in the other replies.....keep us posted in how you go on ;)

[IcarusGirl]

Good advice offer here, so i wont repeat it all. I hope you can get it sorted soon.

Can i just ask, why has been been moved on his own?

[MyBoyFinn]

I am ringing our vet weekly about gelding but they will not come out until the weather is less wet:frown:

He has been put on his own because at the livery he did not have a 'bit' of his own, he had to share I had to put him out when my friends were in, but whatever way I took him to turnout I had to go past a mare and that is when he was rearing.

It was like a vicious circle I couldn't get him gelded without turnout, but he couldnt be turned out till he was gelded!

So he is on his own for now, he is gonna be gelded and then taken back to the livery beginning of May where he can have his own patch of turnout without worrying about him making any mini Finn's!:cheekywink:

I took some photos today while I was there, will try an put them on here later.:confused:

thanks for the support everyone x

[My Crazy Clan]

If I was you, I would contact another vet or ask them to take him in to be gelded.


Post the photos :D

[Houndsfield]

He sounds as though he needs some company - not just one.... a few so that he can play and spar with them and not YOU !!!! It's normal procedure for colts! My homebred was castrated at 10 months...... and left to play with 3 others until he was 18 months (he's now ****** well injured and on box rest- but he's defo much better to deal with because of this!)...... Ask you Vet of a breeder locally who would allow you to turn yours out with theirs..... there must be someone around!!! Big Hug - I know what you must be going through....... Stay Calm & Focused :-)) x

[amandaco]

geld him and stick him out with some nanny mares- they will SOON sort out the bolshiness for you.

[sparkey]

I agree with what a lot of other people have said in that he does need to go out with other horses. He's at a very important developmental stage right now and he needs to learn how to be a people-horse, rather than just relying on his instincts.