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Do you really need a stallion?
I have a 10 month old colt that is about 13 hands. He has not yet been gelded. I have been having problems with him of which includes: he tries to bite me and rear up when I lead him around, and he is really pushy. He is also pastured with two older mares that he gets along with. I have tried many things to fix these problems, but nothing seems to work. He does have a good nature and plenty of potential. I'm just really confused and don't know what to do or how to fix these problems.
Any advice that could help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Yours Truly, Amanda
Hi Amanda,
First off, he doesn't need fixing. He is a young stud colt and is acting like one. Are you going to geld him? This is an important decision for you. What is your purpose for him? Depending on your answer to: 'To geld or not to geld?' my responses could be a bit different. If you were going to geld him, I would do it now and begin basic training as a gelding. If you plan to leave him as a stallion, the training will take on somewhat different and more intense aspects. Stallions require more specialized handling.
I have worked with many stallions over the years and most recently have been working with a 2 1/2 year old Egyptian Arabian Stallion. I was with him a little over 2 1/2 months 4 times a week for three- four hour sessions at a time. During that time I started him under saddle and rode him. I did a lot of specialized ground work, at liberty, long and short line work. The work is high energy, has a much greater element of risk and I would never consider anyone without vast experience with horses even attempt this type of training. Your colt is behaving normally. His energy needs to be directed properly. You need the right tools and skills. This is not about just getting a horse to load, or a herd bound horse or a bit this or that. Your horse has great potential as a stallion with the right handling. I have only encountered a few stallions that have reached sexual maturity that anyone can go into their stalls and handle them without potentially serious consequences.
Jousting with the mouth is common, rearing is common. Getting pushy into the handlers space is very common. All normal. Sometimes the colts are taught some really good lessons on manners from the older mares around. I do not know if this is the case with your colt and the mares he is pastured with.
Please tell me how much horse and stallion experience you have really had and be very candid with me. Please tell me your intention with this horse. If you are unclear or have a fantasized picture of a stallion in your mind that you think this horse is, let me know now. I shall tell you my straight and true feelings, beliefs and thoughts on your question. Please know you have embarked on a fairly long and somewhat risky journey with the horse if you keep him a stallion. If you geld him, you will probably have a wonderful companion, partner and good, deep and loving friendship. Unless you are very experienced (and I mean very) with horses, you'll probably end up having some else train him for you anyway and even then, he'll always be a handful and a horse you'll always have to keep a good eye on. He may also never be able to be around other horses (especially mares). This will limit your time with him and what you can do with him anyway. Please, please, consider all these things carefully. Please, don't let me discourage you either. Maybe you have the skills and the time it is going to require to really give this young colt the training he needs. It cannot be wishy washy, unclear, uncertain, what if's or anything at all like that. Precision, directness, clear and decisive action are required. Also required is kindness, compassion, gentleness, respect, trust, mindfulness, presence, focus, courage and good technique born out of a long time of practice and concentration. Perhaps you have these things now. I would hope that you do as you will need them all. If not, perhaps consider gelding the horse and keeping a wonderful easy going companion around, that you could probably train yourself with a little coaching. Let me know your thoughts. I know I may sound a bit abrupt and harsh. I have seen too many loving and well intentioned folks over matched to a horse and the horse is the one who then gets passed around and suffers through too many changes of ownership and unhappy endings. Please consider all the above and I bless you and your love for horses.
I really want to hear back from you soon. Please........I am concerned.......
Aloha, Franklin