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  Discussion on Fiesty colt
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Member:
Boomer

Posted on Thursday, Jun 29, 2006 - 12:38 pm:

My friend has a colt (born June 9th). He's really fiesty, I mean it not in a good way either, he attacked her from behind the other day. She's really afraid of him now, she says he's born mean! Is this just normal baby behavior? I have only had one filly in my day so I'm definitely not one to give advice..
Member:
Banthony

Posted on Thursday, Jun 29, 2006 - 2:07 pm:

Patricia,
I'm not sure of what you mean that he attacked her from behind.

I was a breeding manager for over 10 yrs and have handled literally hundred's of foals. A few stick out in my memory as being a lot more challenging than others. But I'd have to say none were born mean. A lot of times these foals have passive moms who rarely discipline them.

Colts may behave differently immediately because they have a different force of nature pushing them. It is part of their growing up to experiment with stallion-like behavior. Which can include biting, kicking, pawing,and striking. All of which are perfectly normal, and none of which are acceptable behavior around humans. They can become dangerous very quickly.

I always found that these foals need extra handling (gentle, loving handling - you have to remember they are babies and are not trying to be mean) and need definite boundaries of behavior which need to be established ASAP. Tone of voice often goes a long way with foals.

I recently worked on a thoroughbred farm that had a client with a few Quarter Horses - cutting horses. One beautiful, sweet mare had a colt. He was so bad from day 1 we were all astonished. I took it as my mission to handle him before he got totally out of hand.

He and his mother came in to a stall to eat. I would catch him (which wasn't easy) and cradle him in my arms and rub my hands all over his body and scratch on him. When I touched his legs he hated it so much he would squeal like a pig, wrap his front leg around my leg and try and flip himself.

This wouldn't of been funny at all except he only came to a little over my knees and after the surprise of the first "flip", I could easily keep hold of him.

He was a tough cookie and it took me a couple of weeks of intense handling before he got over himself and learned people were OK. I came out of the stalls quite a few times in the beginning laughing, sweating profusely and panting because of all his tricks.

He was always "all boy" but ended up being easy to catch and lead. And he did understand what behavior was acceptable and what was not. The owner told me later some great stories about the mare and how bad she was as a foal. But she was also a super cutting horse. These tough babies can become wonderful athletes because they have a great work ethic.

I hope she can get over her notion that he was born "bad" and give him some extra handling.
Member:
Boomer

Posted on Thursday, Jun 29, 2006 - 2:13 pm:

She said she had her back to him as she was leaving and he attacked her back..I figured it was normal and she needs to establish pecking order..I have a 2 1/2 old filly and she's pretty unpredictable so I'm really watchful of her but not afraid of her. I will pass what you said on to her and I thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Member:
Banthony

Posted on Thursday, Jun 29, 2006 - 4:32 pm:

Yes, she need to establish that she is not another foal.

I have had great luck in acting like another horse in establishing respect for "my space" with an aggressive foal. If they are getting too close and not respecting your space - use your voice with a stern "Hey!" - or something -turn sideways and pick your foot up very obviously and tap (not kick!) the foal on the shoulder (or what ever body part - not leg - is easy to reach) with the sole of your foot (not the toe, but the flat of your sole.) I tap hard enough for them to feel it but obviously not hard enough to hurt them in any way.

Usually after 1 or 2 taps all you have to do is turn sideways and pick up your foot and that stops them.

Its the same message a mare gives.
Member:
Oscarvv

Posted on Friday, Jun 30, 2006 - 6:47 am:

Attacked is such a strong word. I have seen plenty of colts jump on a turned back. Is that what he did? I'm sure she knows now to not ever turn her back on this guy. He doesn't know the rules yet and needs to learn them.

Is this guy getting plenty of turn out and does he have a buddy to play with? Has she been handling him from day one? Is this her first foal?

If she is truly afraid to work with him, she needs to get someone w/baby experience to teach him the rules.
-B
Member:
Morg1

Posted on Friday, Jun 30, 2006 - 9:53 am:

I had a colt that once jumped on someone's back. The mare was at the breeder's and she (the breeder) was leading the mare to the stallion's barn when the foal jumped on her back. She admitted this to me kind of sheepishly, because she knew that she should have been paying attention to him. This colt wasn't trying to be mean. He just didn't know any better. He was one of the sweetest babies I've had and still is a big pet at 7 years. He wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone. I agree with Barbara. If she's not confident enough to disapline him when he treats her like a pasture playmate have someone else work with him. Good Luck.
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Friday, Jun 30, 2006 - 11:35 am:

If you think about it some foals are always jumping on their mothers back. The mares usually could care less. I think they like this behavior, it might signify a strong personality. My mares first baby was a little monster. Weaned and gelded him at 3 months and stuck him in with a cranky pony. To this day he is a very alpha male. An angel under saddle but always testing on the ground. I am sure I could improve on the ground manners if I had more dicipline.
I would recommend to your friend to get someone who can work with the baby. She should watch and learn. I am sure she can pick up the lessons after she understands how their little brains work and how we can manipulate them into compliance.
Linda, I used the "kicking" threat too. It helps keep you at more of a distance if you dont have another stick and they really understand it. I also use it with my gelding when my arms are full of hay and he is acting impatient.
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