Bored yearling

[lesleyking1]

Hi experts

Mare next door probably typifies the saying female stallion, so already a handful at 18 months, the dually leading is being worked on and going well but I just look at her and think that she's done the foal thing and grown up in her field, played with her mates etc. and now needs to do more, or learn more. So she's working through the foundation exercises on the dually and I've suggested she get in an RA, which I think she will, but as soon as she is comfortable and established with the basic dually work what do you all think she should be doing, personally I think the little mare is looking a bit bored, what sort of things would you think are an appropriate challenge for this young horse, is she ready for some work like some long lining in short sessions?

Ps she is a sports horse type and going to be a big one, hence why she is starting to be a handful already, She knows how to use her size, wouldn't say she is at the problem stage yet but if not on the right path soon then the issues are going to be difficult

[antares]

I'm not really convinced that horses get 'bored' in the same way that we do.

She is still young so really apart from the very basics I wouldn't be doing a lot. Foundation exercises yes, there is no reason why she shouldn't do them, general leading, yielding hind quarters and shoulders, desensitising work including long lines around the body, being good for the farrier, teaching that the his pipe isn't scary etc. should all be fine but I'd leave the other stuff for a while. I would just get the above right - slow, calm then you can really know she's learning

I also personally wouldn't use a dually on a horse so young, get the above things right

[specialized]

Agree with antares, with our youngsters we did nothing but basic handling and manners for the first 3 years and let them be baby horses - they may be inquisitive and looking for things to do but they don't get 'bored' as we interpret it.

[portiabuzz]

That's good to hear as Leo is Sports Horse too and is now 2 but he's just growing and being a baby. He leads very well and has head coller on, lifts feet for trimmer and comes into stable for feed occasionally otherwise fed in field, no doubt thanks to Troops care in his early years

[mrbsmum]

I also had a youngster that was a bit of a handful (still is, and he's about to turn 4 this spring!) and I was tempted to 'do something' with him, but resisted as really at that age they are too young. For my little guy the most important thing was making sure he had a likeminded friend to run about like an idiot with and lots of basic handing (feet picking out, leading etc). He tended to be a bit over curious, and was quite nibbly and in your space, but I just counteracted this by making sure that the ground rules were there, and giving him extra things to 'investigate' which weren't me! He likes playing with buckets, feed sacks, and all manner of other things, and as far as I'm concerned that is all good desensitisation work, so I just give him some 'toys' to entertain himself with every now and then.

[portiabuzz]

same here

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[horsesalwayswin]

Hi all thanks for all the advice to lesleys Question this is my yearling she is on about she is a very excitable And getting very big how would u deal with the rearing and cow bucking that she does to get her own way it is getting worse and worried she is going to do more damage to other people as at the mo I carnt handle her as in a hand cast thanks to her lol have an ra coming out after new year but want some advice in mean time it's like she needs taking down a peg or 2 as she trying to be the dominant one just don't want her hurting my friend

[lesleyking1]

Good post name, you make her sound impossible, with only one hand she is going to be pretty impossible, to fill everyone in a bit, her little mare has found a few strategies that controls owner, dangerous ones. I have encouraged her to take things back to basics, book a RA (coming mid jan) get a plan forward sorted and once plaster is off start the road to success. So in the meantime we have a emotional baby to keep safe and managed. She has lots of positives, no problems on the yard, no problems handling like grooming etc, no problems in her stable, so on the whole her owner has done a great job, it's just the leading to and from field is a bit hair raising. For the last week this has been going well, we lead her with her mates and she stays calm, she has also started to respect your space and stopped dragging you around, however not all days are the same and with a change to the routine she falls apart and you get the tantrums. After today's tantrum when we tried to come in with just one friend, I think we go back to the three being led together and failing there not being three people about to lead then they stay in for the day, do some handling lessons instead of turnout to get her out of the stable. All very labour intensive but short term until the owner gets a better plan of action when the RA comes.

Obviously better suggestions very welcome

[portiabuzz]

Good luck in the new year !

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[troop]

Thanks PB (gush). I find with the smart cookies they like to try a few things sometimes. I would often walk out down the road with my babies and find a spot to graze in hand. Just to watch the world go by meet new things. But otherwise they just poofed about the field and yard being horses and annoying the elders, they would come in for a groom and taught to lift feet, tie up move over etc but that was it. My friends shire is 20 months and has just learned to have his legs hosed.

[portiabuzz]

Credit is all yours troop xx

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