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Discussion on Gelding uncontrollable around mare/stallions
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New Member:
Levi75
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Posted on Monday, Apr 25, 2005 - 10:29 am:
Hi! I just purchased Rye, a 2 yr old (born 4/12/03) Oldenburg GOV gelding a week and a half ago. He was only gelded 2 1/2 weeks ago so basically I got him when he had only been gelded for 1 week. When he was for sale and I went to his former owners place to look at him, he was super calm and so sweet. His former owner had him since birth, and only has 2 other horses at her farm (an Andalusian gelding, and a mini horse gelding). So for 2 years, Rye has only been around 2 other horses (both geldings). The previous owner didn't have him gelded prior to me buying him because she said his temperment was so good (which it is), and she was possibly thinking about breeding him or selling him as a stud if someone else wanted to breed him. He is beautiful and I can see why she would think this.
Here's the problem... when I brought him to his new home 1 1/2 weeks ago, the 2nd place he's ever lived, he started acted really studdy. The farm that I stable at has about 100 horses, and a lot of mares and stallions. When we first brought Rye in, his paddock was near the farms Fresian stallion and Rye would pace back and forth, making himself sweaty even rubbing his neck on the fence toward the Fresian. After 2 days, the owners of the barn moved the Fresian way to the back of the farm and Rye seemed to forget about him. He has stopped pacing and is actually acting like the calm horse he was when he was at his previous home... but that's until he sees another mare or stallion. I can walk him out of his paddock and he is so good and calm UNTIL we have to walk past a mare (he whinny's and wrestles his head) or a stallion (he puffs up, rears, and now is trying little nips at me). I've smacked him and have been firm but it's like he has blinders on and all he wants to do is get to these horses. I've even tried a chain over his nose. He's never seen mares or stallion because he just lived with those 2 geldings before. I don't know if I'm doing a bad thing by walking him past the other horses, but it's the only way to get ANYWHERE once I bring him out of his paddock. Should I just leave him in his paddock for a while?? I don't want to do anything wrong, and he really is a sweet horse. I'm not sure if this behavior will go away with time (b/c he was just gelded), or will he get in a habit of talking and rearing. Please help!
P.S. THere really aren't any other barns in the area and this one is so close to my house. And it would be impossible to ask the barn owner to arrange his horses so we wouldn't be near all of the mares and stallions (there's too many!)
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Member:
Terrilyn
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Posted on Monday, Apr 25, 2005 - 10:50 am:
A good place to start is to read the article on this site on castration. Look under Care of the Horse, Routine Care and Procedures. Good luck! (He doesn't know he isn't a stallion yet!)
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Monday, Apr 25, 2005 - 11:39 am:
Welcome to HA, Janet.
I do not think you're dealing with a testosterone problem here, your horse sounds as if he simply wants to meet every horse he sees, which, being young and first time alone, is to be expected.
All this is very new to him and from what you describe he just gets a bit overexcited, and that only when he sees another horse.
I believe you can be sure he'll calm down significantly over the next couple of weeks.
I'd try to be as tolerant as possible until he has some time to adjust. Don't put up with bites and kicks, but try to take everything else stoically. He is very young, silly and quite confused now.
Staying in his paddock sounds good, especially if other horses pass by often. It may be the best way to introduce him to the idea that he can't anymore join every horse he sees.
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Member:
Chrism
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Posted on Monday, Apr 25, 2005 - 6:40 pm:
Along Christo's line of thinking, is your horse turned out with anyone? Or with a buddy in the next paddock? If he has been out with pasture buddies all along until now, it seems more like he is wanting to be part of herd .... Is there a "good ole boy" gelding who will tolerate youngster hijinks that can be his companion for awhile?
Two is still rather young to be on his own - and it is an unusual horse who can be be kept by themselves at any age. Usually, if they can touch over a fence, they will calm.
Also, since he is only recently gelded, I would make "herd" introductions very slowly - i.e. one horse at a time, each day, if he is ultimately going to be in a large group.
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Member:
Liliana
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Posted on Monday, Apr 25, 2005 - 7:10 pm:
Hi Janet,
Welcome! As far as I know it can take up to a month for the testosterone to disappear. It happened with my stallion after he was gelded. To me it sounds like the teen ager's first visit to a disco. There is so much going on that he wants to befriend all the chicks and mark territory with the boys.
I think it will pass and he well calm down in a few weeks, my now gelded stallion would flirt with every mare in the beginning, he is still Alfa but, once they get used to the new surroundings they calm down, specially if he is even tempered.
You'll be best friends soon enough!
Patience!!
Regards
Liliana
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Apr 25, 2005 - 7:27 pm:
It's too bad more time didn't pass after he was gelded before he had to be moved. IMO you're dealing with a combination of "newmoveitis" and his not knowing he's gelded yet. It will pass, as Liliana says, and you've received some good advice. Just make sure you are safe and don't get hurt inadverdently in the meantime.
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Member:
Warwick
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 26, 2005 - 11:15 am:
A "disco"! Liliana, I think you are dating yourself!!!
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Member:
Green007
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 26, 2005 - 12:09 pm:
Aw come on Sue, discos have come back in style again!
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Member:
Warwick
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 26, 2005 - 12:23 pm:
Oh oh - maybe it's me who's dating myself!
Just an old hayseed from the country who hasn't been to a night club/disco in donkey's years. My idea of a fun night is to curl up on the couch with a good movie, a nice bottle of Pinot Noir and somehow manage to stay awake until after 9:30...
Yup - that's as wild as it gets nowadays!
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Member:
Liliana
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 26, 2005 - 12:31 pm:
MMM I could say I wish, but, na I love the husband, old as he is. Would'nt have the energy.
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New Member:
Levi75
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 26, 2005 - 1:56 pm:
Thank you everyone for your input! Hopefully this WILL pass because it's pretty scary when he acts up and rears/bites/wrestles his head. He's a strong boy! I'm just not sure if I should continue to walk him past these other stallions or give it a rest for a while. He could just stay in his paddock for a bit I guess. I don't want it to become a habit of acting up in certain places.
I'll let you know as time goes on what happens...
Any more info or your experience is greatly appreciated!
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Member:
Liliana
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005 - 5:55 pm:
As I mentioned my now gelded stallion did not know he was no longer a stallion. I hear you, they can be very scary at times.
Believe me, been there, done that.. Chechen was a lonely stallion for 10 years then they gave him a companion mare but the owner gave her anabolic's so she would not come in heat.
When I got him after being abandoned as nobody could deal with him, he was a monster, he'd bite, kick, pushed with his body, he was horrible. I had to give him a huge carrot to keep his mouth busy while I tied him down and then wrestle him trying to brush him, cross tied him to pick his feet as he would bite my bott.
Yes do not let him intimidate you, but, he has to know that there are other horses, sooo, may be lead him with the bit and bridle for more control, or get the Apache training aid so that he does not rear. I guess what I am trying to say is what ever happens do not let him find out his strength. (being young he doesn't know it yet)
Lots of love and patience will pay off, do not despair! People that knew Chechen cannot believe is the same horse.
Hang in there! There is light at the end of the tunnel.
All the best,
Liliana
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New Member:
Levi75
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005 - 8:44 pm:
Thanks Liliana! -Janet
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - 9:01 am:
Janet,
I'll assume this horse has had plenty of ground work. If not, get some instruction and get him real light on the ground. It doesn't really matter in my mind whether it is Clinton Anderson, Pat Parelli or John Lyons (for that matter there are lots of smaller name trainers doing some great work too). But what really matters is he is light, responsive and respectful on the ground away from the distractions.
Now take him where there are distractions and do it all over again. It will take a while for him to realize that he has to be light, responsive and respectful where ever you take him. But it isn't automatic, what he has learned in a quiet location doesn't necessarily mean he will remember with distractions about, you will have to remind him for some time. This is very helpful when you move on to saddle work. Just imagine if you can't handle him from the ground what it would be like from the saddle.
Good day,
Alden
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