We have a very very confident 2 weeks old colt foal. He is a very mature boy for his age... and unfortantly is trying to 'play' with people!
He has other foaly friends... but the other 2 foals tend to stay away from him as he's been very rough with them... his mother lets him get away with everything (anything for an easy life) and he hasn't get started harrassing the 2yrs old or the other mares... I'd really love to get him out with my 4 boys who are constantly playing.. but the main 'player' in the group is my yearling colt... who isn't really good to go out with his mother for obvious reason!
We've now even got him on a head collar and starting to lead to try and teach him how to behave nicely and also give him something to think about..
But yet will still have biting and kicking and he's more than happy to reverse on you and buck! And although he's only a shetland foal... he still hurts! We also had him rearing at up today which i quickly taught him no by catching him and holding him up until he looked throughly bored and wanting to 'get down' (but yet when i first caught him.. he thought it was part of the game!!)
We've tried growling at him, smacking him (not his head), flicking his nose (for biting), quickly pinching the skin (like another horse nipping him), stamping feet, shoving him off... he's even had a kick for reversing and bucking on the odd occassional... but even when he does run off.. he's back 5 seconds later for more... likes its a game!!
Never had such a stubborn and naughty little foal before... normally all the above methods work well to discourage the naughty behaviour. He is also very independant and more than happy to come galloping up the field to greet up... leaving mum the other side of the field!!
He is very smart which i'm sure isn't helping us out either!
Ideas?
He has other foaly friends... but the other 2 foals tend to stay away from him as he's been very rough with them... his mother lets him get away with everything (anything for an easy life) and he hasn't get started harrassing the 2yrs old or the other mares... I'd really love to get him out with my 4 boys who are constantly playing.. but the main 'player' in the group is my yearling colt... who isn't really good to go out with his mother for obvious reason!
We've now even got him on a head collar and starting to lead to try and teach him how to behave nicely and also give him something to think about..
But yet will still have biting and kicking and he's more than happy to reverse on you and buck! And although he's only a shetland foal... he still hurts! We also had him rearing at up today which i quickly taught him no by catching him and holding him up until he looked throughly bored and wanting to 'get down' (but yet when i first caught him.. he thought it was part of the game!!)
We've tried growling at him, smacking him (not his head), flicking his nose (for biting), quickly pinching the skin (like another horse nipping him), stamping feet, shoving him off... he's even had a kick for reversing and bucking on the odd occassional... but even when he does run off.. he's back 5 seconds later for more... likes its a game!!
Never had such a stubborn and naughty little foal before... normally all the above methods work well to discourage the naughty behaviour. He is also very independant and more than happy to come galloping up the field to greet up... leaving mum the other side of the field!!
He is very smart which i'm sure isn't helping us out either!
Ideas?