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  Discussion on Bad disposition in colt?
Author Message
Member:
Ceceb

Posted on Thursday, Oct 16, 2003 - 5:15 pm:

I'm somewhat of a novice. My colt is 5 1/2 months, we just gelded a couple of weeks ago and I'm starting the early stages of short separations from mom to wean by 6 months. They seem to handle the separations fine.

Mare is very dominant and they pasture with another colt and filly, both 7 months. I pull my mare & colt out for feedings and over night. When I put them back together, my colt shows some aggression towards the other colt and filly who were weaned at the same time and have completely bonded.

It appears like play to me, but today a well-known local trainer (who I have a lot of respect for) was riding by while my colt was "playing" with the other foals and she remarked that my colt had a bad disposition and would hurt other horses in pasture when you gets older. I was somewhat stunned at the comment. My colt is easy to handle, halter broked, grooming, hooves trimmed, etc. (He just doesn't like baths!) He likes to play and run and loves to throw the ball around. Does this aggression towards the others a sign of a bad disposition. I would love to make a comment to this trainer. She's never handled my colt, only observed him at pasture.

Thanks for any input...

Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Thursday, Oct 16, 2003 - 7:47 pm:

I would follow my gut instinct. Some horses are very dominant towards other
horses. If they respect you and have been handled properly I dont see why you should have any concerns. Sometimes well meaning people dont see the whole story. Just my thought.
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Friday, Oct 17, 2003 - 2:24 am:

One of the most bad-tempered and bloody minded horses I know at pasture (to the extent that a lot of people won't enter the field if he is loose) is an excellent riding horse and hunter. Mind you if he can work out how to kick or bite you during grooming and tacking up, he will.

So I think it depends a bit on what you're looking for from this colt when it is grown... interestingly this bad-tempered horse was bottle fed by an indulgent owner and never learned proper respect for humans.

All the best

Imogen
Member:
Goolsby

Posted on Friday, Oct 17, 2003 - 8:13 am:

If your colt is easy to handle, It dosent sound like he has a bad disposition. He sounds like a happy, healthy youngster. I am a novice at foal behavior (my first is 5 mo.), but Ive watched the herd dynamics over the years with my "mean" mare. She must boss every horse all the time, but she is a fine trail horse and is great around people. I wouldnt worry about what someone passing by says about your horse, trainer or not. You know him better than anyone and if he suits you, its no one elses business.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 17, 2003 - 10:29 am:

I concur with those statements above but suggest you hold your piece with this trainer. Not only will it gain you nothing but you have a long way to go and there will always be some rough spots. You may need some help along the way, best to keep as many friends as possible.
DrO
Member:
Chrism

Posted on Friday, Oct 17, 2003 - 10:55 am:

A fairly obnoxious colt I knew turned into a pussy cat after weaning and gelding. So, I think you are on the right track and once he is completely weaned and the gelding has taken some time to take affect, you may have a better picture of how he does with peers. The fact he handles well for you is also a plus.

Cheers.

Member:
Ceceb

Posted on Friday, Oct 17, 2003 - 5:11 pm:

Thanks to all for the responses. I really appreciate it. I don't want to start second guessing him. And I appreciate the input to keep my thoughts to myself, Dr. O.

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