Young stallion needs leadership

by Jennifer
(Holland)

I own a fantastic young New Forest pony. He's really showing character. Because his character he isn't a pony who will follow easy like a puppy.

There are a few things i want to see different:
One thing, when he's outside his stable and i do the mucking. It looks like he's bored because he can't stop scrabing with his legs over the ground. Also i can't fasten him on 1 rope as he will hang himself so I use 2. Because he's so bored of waiting he keeps his head down and 'hang' in both ropes and sometimes bites in his own leg.

Another thing, how can i let him know with respect, that he must have respect for my own space? Should i back him up while he's getting to close to me?

He's just 4 years old and I think he's in some way fantastic because he doesn't pay any attention to mares. But he's easily distracted.

Any advise? I apologize for any misspell as I'm from Holland!

Jennifer & Chester


Answer
Hi Jennifer & Chester,

A stallions needs are bigger in many different ways. If he is not showing much interest in mares, he probably will at some point. With all that extra testosterone he will be more anxious to propagate and have a group of gals himself. He is going to expect and want a lot of attention from you (since he doesn’t have his own band) thus the easily distracted part you are noticing. Stallions can be like an egotistical person where they feel the whole world revolves around them and only them. :0)

So first, yes, back him up every chance you get. The game I play is I pretend to have a hoola hoop distance around my body ( 3 ft) and the horse’s nose is not allowed to enter that space unless I invite him in. And when a horse is already trying to invade my space too often like in your situation, then I don’t allow them in for at least a month. That way I set up a consistent conditioned behavior response. I will introduce a cue with my hand flat up in the air and say the word “wait” too.

Your quote, ”One thing, when he's outside his stable and i do the mucking. It looks like he's bored because he can't stop scrabing with his legs over the ground” I’m not sure I understand the whole situation. Where do you put him when you clean out his stable? How big is this stable? After you clean it out do you replenish food for him? If so, he is anxious about getting it. I’m assuming you mean scraping or pawing the ground. Think about the routine you have set up, all horses watch us very closely and learn what is coming next. If he is alone, he looks to you as someone to play with too. Stallions have high play drives.

Your quote, ” Also I can't fasten him on 1 rope as he will hang himself so I use 2. Because he's so bored of waiting he keeps his head down and 'hang' in both ropes and sometimes bites in his own leg.” Do you mean he pulls when tied with one rope? As opposed to when cross tied with two? If so it would be helpful to work on having him learn to release from pressure. Again you are correct that he is finding the situation boring and so becomes a little anxious about being restrained. Plus he is young and his attention span is short.

What I have tried with great success for these situations is to hang a bucket below where I would tie the rope. Where the horse can easily put his head down into it like chest height.(But I also do not tie with a quick release knot , I just loop the rope around itself one time so that the horse can feel tension if he wanted to walk away yet he would also feel resistance and I can stop him by grabbing the end of the lead rope while adding more tension, ask him to stay again and continue) Now in the bucket is food to occupy him while you groom. I am assuming you are doing some grooming here. I use something that takes more chewing like hay cubes vs. grain. You could also use a hay net with hay if you prefer. The goal is to have the horse find grooming or being tied is a positive experience and it answers the question for the horse, “What’s in it for me!”

I have created such a conditioned response (the horse does it consistently and with habit) with this method that my horses “want” to be next to come into the barn. And they will pass the grassy paddock without taking a bite and walk right into the barn without being led. I just open the gate and I follow them in.

To gain leadership over a stallion is the similar to taking control for every decision making moment. Your challenge is to make the decisions for him otherwise he will decide for you!

Elaine