BABY WITH A BAD ATTITUDE ***UPDATE***page1

[Katiean]

Our colt was born April 21st. From the day he was born he had a bad attitude. I have never had a foal like this. He does not like to be handled, AT ALL. He was here at the house for a month after he was born and he was handled every day. From the start he would bite, kick and strike at a person that was handleing him. For about a month he was moved to a boarding facility. He is back home and still has no use for people. You can put a halter on him but he will not stand. And what I mean by stand is he pulls and backs up and strikes and bites. I have never had a foal like this. It doesn't matter how slow you move around him. He doesn't like people.

My tough little colt has been home for about 6 weeks now. I got him a rope halter and spend time with him every day. He now comes up to the gate when I go out to see the gang. I pet him every time I grain the horses. He will still give a crow hop. But he isn't kicking. Yesterday we had a tying lesson. His dad was right there to tell him his nonsence was not going to work. He was standing like a pro in no time. He does lead but still needs work on that. He has begun to come around and actually comes up to people with his ears up. He won't stay if you reach out to him. But he is better. So, IMO even bad babies can be turned around.

 

[Knottymare]

That's rough! I have VERY little experience with foals but the one foal that I took on through rescue (pulled at 4 1/2 months from a mom who was just recovering from starvation) was the same way so I understand your frustration and even hurt. The filly we had was also handled from birth and treated firmly but gently when she misbehaved. When we brought her to my place to wean, we gave her a lot of leeway because of the weaning process but by 8 months she was still incredibly precocious and at times quite dangerous. My vet, who is a breeding specialist, siad he had NEVER encountered a foal like her.

Thankfully, her adopter was very experienced. She is now 3 1/2 and started under saddle and doing quite well. She will probably never be a snuggly, people affectionate horse but she has learned her place and the rules of being around people. She is the light of her owners eyes and he enjoys her tough personality.

Hopefully your foal will come around... I'm sure there will be more helpful responses but I wanted to wish you well. If I were in your shoes, I'd be sad! Mini foals are just so darn cute that you want them to be snuggleable! In truth, they are every bit horse. Some are affectionate and some, sadly, are not.

 

[eagles ring farm]

Have you tried finding a spot he enjoys a good scratching followed by a treat of a little grain if he stands nice for the scratching

and if that works just take it slow.

or maybe give him a tug on the lead and take a few steps towards him in a threatening upright posture move toward him and make him back away from you following him as he backs up a few steps when he starts to react badly.

I haven't had alot of exeprience with your problem but have used this as a reminder to behaive when a horse gets out of line.

But others will certainly have more experience than I we only have a few foals a year and since there are so few they are all pocket pets

 

[Katiean]

The problem with this baby is he doesn't want grain from a person. He doesn't want to be touched, let alone scratched by anyone. I am waiting for a rope halter I ordered for this little "Devil Horse" and I am hoping I can get him to lead and tie. Well, atleast lead (won't tie until he is over throwing himself over backwards).

 

[JAX]

Had a colt like this once. From day 1 he would bare his gums and "bite" at me when a human came near. The vet wondered if he didnt have an overabundance of testosterone as she had never seen a two day old foal act that mean. If i walked into the pen and nelt down to give his mama scratches he would rare up on me and strike out. I thought he would get better after weaning... NOT. At 6 months old I seperated him from all other horses which I hate to do but in his case I didnt know what else to try. For 5 months the only grooming, itching, attention came from me and only me! He did finally calm down and even became a very sweet boy and was finally able to have horsey friends again. GOOD LUCK with whatever you do!!!

 

[Katiean]

JAX, that sounds just like what Bambi does. I hope we don't have to go to that extreem.

 

[Marty]

This is so frustrating! You need a whole lot of patience and quality time spent with this guy. I think horses like that need a JOB when they are old enough and in the meantime, a gelding party.

 

[JAX]

I agree with Marty about the gelding and also about the quality time. My main problem was that I had several horses all in a pasture situation. The other babies would come up for their attention and scratches the moment I would come outside, but he would only play and scratch with the other horses. I was the enemy from day one I guess. Could you separate just him and mama in an area that he HAS to deal with you several times a day whether he wants to or not?? Also keep looking for that itchy spot... they all have at least one!

 

[JMS Miniatures]

I agree on the separation. I had a foal that didn't want to be near you mostly because the way momma was so they were by themselves and I would tie up momma and spent quality time with the foal by itself. Helped a lot. I also had a colt that wasn't friendly, gelded him early and he was a little better. I think it sounds like this guy could use just a little bit of groundwork. You don't have to over do it but just work on pivots and backing up, etc... I certainly wouldn't tie him up without getting some groundwork done first. Sometimes it takes some tough love before it gets better.

 

[Riverrose28]

First thing I would do, if it hasn't already be done, is get a Vet to do a exam, especially eyes and ears! WAs he birth a dystocia, red bag, or unusal?

 

[Katiean]

The birth was a red bag. I am hoping to geld both him and his dad this fall. I had a vet out today to do a health cert and coggins on a mare that is going to a new home next week and the vet looked at the colt. She said he appeared healthy but she would not geld either of them until the end of October because we are having such a bad fly year. My rope halter should be here by monday. I am going to give it a try. They do work really well on these nuckleheads.

 

[rubyviewminis]

I used Clinton's method of foal training. Jewel was *the princess* so a little like yours but ground work worked. Before trying to put a rope halter on try a small sized rope around the neck and one around the butt. Not like the old fashioned method, or you could use one long rope for both. It keeps them from feeling trapped, rearing and yet you have control and can teach them to give to pressure and release. If your interested I can describe with details. Otherwise you risk, panic, neck pain, rearing, striking, and all other kinds of bad issues. It's easy and works. Jewel was a large, tall, fat newborn and strong. This worked beautifully on her.

 

[JMS Miniatures]

I used Clinton's method of foal training. Jewel was *the princess* so a little like yours but ground work worked. Before trying to put a rope halter on try a small sized rope around the neck and one around the butt. Not like the old fashioned method, or you could use one long rope for both. It keeps them from feeling trapped, rearing and yet you have control and can teach them to give to pressure and release. If your interested I can describe with details. Otherwise you risk, panic, neck pain, rearing, striking, and all other kinds of bad issues. It's easy and works. Jewel was a large, tall, fat newborn and strong. This worked beautifully on her.

Agree

 

[Katiean]

At almost 4 months old he is starting to look at and watch me with the other horses. I am reaching out and touching him at every feeding. Just a pat or pet. I think he is beginning to see that I am not so bad after all. He sees that even his standoffish mom calls to me when I go out to feed, pet or play with them. Fingers crossed that he will come around.

 

[Katiean]

bump for update.

 

[kay56649]

I'm glad he is coming around!!