Orphan yearling issues PLEASE READ?
Posted by adminI have raised my little flicka since she was 4 weeks old after her owners could not take care of her when her mother died of a uterus infection. She was skinny weak and shy now its a total different story. I began training literally the first day she came home. She was fine with the float and accepted the halter well. I then lead her around everywhere and she was actually very well mannered, I crawl under her and she wouldnt budge. She was a darling to be with and would follow me everywhere I was after all her mum, after teaching her a few ground manners I decided to let her loose and minimize training allowing her to dfo what is best - be a foal. Then when she was about 5 months she developed this huge attitude problem I thought I would attend to straight away. She began to nip when she wanted something like a toy or an apple in my hand I used a stern voice but then had to resort to smacking her on the muzzle or cheek. It seemed not to affect her, she then began to rear up when she wanted to play and kick, I then thought this is going to go out of control if I leave it so for a while I kept her halter on and tied a rope onto it everytime she went to rear I grabbed and tugged. She was so suborn and I would have done this a hundred times yet no improvement I then came to the conclusion this filly has mistaken her place in the family. As I continued training her along came summer and then things changed I was alot busier than usual supplying water to livestock, feed and other things which I would have to fdo more frequently this time of year. I guess it was no excuse ceasing her training but it happened and before I knew it flicka had been left without a couple months training she would follow me around and I would spend time petting her and all but that was about it. After about three or four months we began renting a new farm where we bought her there with the company of mature horses, I thought that should put her into shape. Three months after that we bought about 40 acres where she is now and I thought maybe it is time to start with her again. She is now about a year old (05 oct 2008 is her birth date) and I have successfully mouthed her, which she does fine and am in the progress of tacking her uo just so she gets used to it. We plan to break her in when she is two, but Im just wondering if we will still be able to. She doesnt nip as much only when she want our attention but she does rear up sometimes when she gets exited or when she isnt in the mood, I can comfortable brush her and touch her everywhere even tapping her sides and her hindquarters she wont move, but when she is very upset with us she turns her but. Im afraid she will never learn she is now in a paddock with our 8yo boy who is the total opposite of her he is well mannered. But it is as though she is the boss of him??? He is a almost 16HH TB and her only now about 13HH Arab. I just want to know if she will ever really be good enough to break into saddle and ride, If we do mend her bad behaviors could they come back? Should we have a professional deal with he as well. She is a member of the family but she needs to know her place I have been firm with her but I would not meaningfully hurt her other than a slap on the cheek. I have heard ppl introducing a whip but I dont know if that would be a good idea with flicka she is very sensitive and has even had a grudge on me for a whole week? Please if you have experienced anything like this before any form of advise will be appreciated.
hey thanks everyone and I know I over done it a little but I wanted the full story out there sorry and thanks for so many helpful answers your advise was very helpful and has given me a little more hope with my girl, I think a professional to come out would be a good idea…but either way I will continue trying to mold my foal into a fine horse . Thank You all sooooo much and if I could I would choose all your answers as the best answer!!!
She is a baby. Babies will be babies and will not be perfect it comes with time and consistency. They will test you to see if you really are in charge. Wish I could understand from your question when she is rearing up. That is an issue that must be corrected if she is rearing when you are leading her and she doesn’t want to go somewhere. That you must correct firmly (please no stud chains though she is simply too young for that - if a halter is absolutely not working then a soft cotton rope over her nose should do the trick). You need the really gruff quit it voice so she knows she is out of line and to back her off you with sharp tugs on the line she needs to stand quietly until you ask her to come forward again. If she is rearing up out in the paddock then just send her away from you any time she rears up when you are near so she learns that rearing is not accepted play with humans (whatever works with her yelling, swinging the lead rope around at her, etc). Orphan foals tend to take a bit more "manners’ training because they didn’t get the discipline from mom when they did silly things like rear up on her or bite at her.