Up to now, all of my horses have been obtained when they were in the 5-6 years old range. Which means that they were well past the fidgety, squirrel-brained pushing all the buttons part of life.
Stitch, at 3.5 years of age, is firmly in that stage of life. It's driving me nuts.
Standing still for more than 3 seconds? Not gonna happen.
He feels the need to put his nose on everything, including other people's tack when I'm trying to park him back in a grooming stall. That same nose also swings around far too carelessly in the areas occupied by my body of late as well.
The pawing.
I think it's mainly for attention, so I try to ignore him when he paws and not return to him until he has stopped for a short period. But he also does it while I am actively brushing him, so ???
And the nipping. When heading back out to the pasture where he always gets a few treats upon release, there have been a few nips at my coat sleeve or glove.
Let's just say there have been a few bops on the side of the muzzle as of late.
This kid needs a job. It's time to go back to work.
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| Looking slightly chastised after being lunged a couple of nights ago. |
I'm starting the process of getting him ready to be ridden again. He's been long-lined a couple of times lately with no issues. Last night he wore a bridle again. Today I'll lunge with the saddle (if I remember to take it out with me).
I'll probably hop back on within the next couple of weeks, a bit earlier than I had planned in March. But he's looking good body-wise, and the rides will still be kept very low-key for a while.
A little bit of exercise does a body good. A hopefully the brain too.
Heh. I got my dude at 5, he was fully in the nosey pawey stage and he still is three years later. I don't think he'd had much done with him though, and we have been taking the glacially slow path. He has three hair swirls above the eyes. I'm not sure he'll ever mellow out.
ReplyDeleteBetsy in WI
He will do much better with a job.
ReplyDeleteAge and the time of year conspiring against you too? <3 I feel like ignoring or redirecting is the only way though. Engaging just turns it into a game with my two. This too shall pass :)
ReplyDeleteHehehe, I have a young gelding who has a very similar personality. Pyro (who I bred and raised) will be 6 this spring, and I'm happy to report that he is slooooowly maturing past the annoying, squirrel-brained, fidgets, lol. He still lifts a front leg up like a flamingo instead of pawing, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel. One of these days I'll have a gelding who makes me realize why people go on about geldings being so great! LOL
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