I have a stud colt that is 15 months old. He was born and raised here with us and has had daily interaction with us. He is beginning his stallion-like behaviors now such as nipping and being hard to handle but our biggest problem with him is trying to catch and halter him. He has gotten to where he won't just let us slip a rope over his head anymore so we have had to rope him twice. This is quite an ordeal for him and us because he rares up and paws at us until he wears himself out.

Does anyone have any suggestions that might help us out here?

GELD HIM NOW!!! If he is already acting super playful and suddish he will only get worse as he gets older. He will be very difficult for you to break and agressive. If you must keep him a stud, there is really no way you are going to beable to control him behavor. I would keep a halter on him at all times with a 12inch lead hope attached, so you have a better chance of catching him.

I am guessing this is the same horse you are referring to reguarding the bit issue. No hackamore for him, you will have no control.

FancyHorse, thank you for your advice. We have definitely learned that we need to keep him haltered and keeping a lead rope attached is an excellent idea.

Right now I am trying to decide what I want to do with this little ball of fire. My son says he will break and train him and wants me to keep him which means I would definitely geld him. I'm just ot certain that he actually has the time to do this which makes me think I might sell him, in which case I think he would bring more due to his size and coloring.

Does the behavior stick more if you do not handle it right away? Does the horse react well when trying to geld him?

Nangel78, yes, the more bad habits a stud learns the harder he is to be broken from them. And no, the horse does not react well when trying to geld him. Remember, we are talking about neutering here.

Terri, if you are thinking of letting your son hand this colt (I don't know the age of your son) I do hope he has had experience handling a stallion, because at this point that is what you have. If his behavior is not nipped in the bud now (so to speak) than he will only get worse and eventually end up hurting someone. I have quite a few questions prior to making any recommendations....if you want to email me privately maybe we can see what we can do to help. Otherwise, geld him. If you feel you have to have him as a stallion you might look at trainers in the area, but make sure that they also train you on the handling of a stallion. From the description that I have gotten from your post, he is herd leader and you are a low ranking mare.


Cathy

Terri,

I would have to agree with Catrynfox. You also have to ask yourself is he really that special (bloodlines,etc.)to want to keep him a stallion. For me even over bloodlines is a sallions temperment, if he doesn't have the right attitude then maybe he's not worth keeping a stallion. If you do keep him I would look into getting help. But gelding him now will stop anything from sticking around. The younger they are the better they recover from the gelding process. Good luck in what you decide.

Doesnt sound as tho you plan on using him in a breeding program. Am I right?
You need to get him gelded. I would have him in a more confined area and start working with him. He needs lots of hands on and taught some mannners. We had a breeding stallion for 5 years and had him gelded at the age of five. He was very respectful and new his place with me and my hubby. Our stallion was hand bred.
It is more work with a stallion than other geldings and mares. People that came into our barn didnt know the difference from him than the other horses as far as his temperment and that is what you strive for.
Nipping is fighting words at our place. Shouldnt be allowed ever. Sharply crack that muzzle with a sharp "NO" and every time till he gets the message. They communicate with their mares that way but he is to know that "You are not his mare" You are the "LEADMARE" You set the leadership role.
If you are not knowlegdeable enough to handle this stallion then get help, really.
Good luck with him and never turn your back on him.