[cjohns]

Well, last weekend we pulled our horses out to ride. Rowdy(2 1/2mo) always get really excited and starts running circles around everyone really fast. I was leading his mom, Grace, and my son came up to me as Rowdy came running back up to us. I guess he was just really excited, but he ran right up to my son and then turned around and kicked him in the side of the head. Don't worry he's okay, I think it scared him more than anything.

Then Rowdy kept being a little terd. He wouldn't let me come up to him and he would turn his butt towards me everytime I tried to get him. My husband tried to get him and Rowdy took off - my husband was still holding on to him and kind of got bucked off (NOT that he was on him) It was so hilarious. He out smarted my husband for sure - he ended up on the ground with a bruised hip.

Finally I got a hold of him and put his halter on and led him around (he's not very good at it yet). He is the sweetest, most gentle little fella I have ever seen - until that day. What the he.ck happened to him. Why do you think he was doing that?? Do you think that he was just happy to get to run around or what. He has NEVER EVER EVER behaved that way....EVER.

[farmchickisr]

Youngsters will be naughty. I'd definetly work on manners, he should be able to lead, lift legs,stand tied, walk reasonably well. As for kicking out and fooling around, it's expected. Please keep little kids away from little horses running around, or any horse running around for that's so dangerous. mother of 5 kids raised around horses safely.

[Shotgun93]

He's a baby, you have to remember that. He isn't aware that you guys aren't there to entertain and play with him whenever he is in the mood. Babies play, test their limits and explore their boundaries. It's our job to teach them difference between playing with people and playing with mom. Just like the lead mare wouldn't put up with that, you can't either. He will continue to test you until he learns that he will not get away that behavior. Your son is very lucky, it could have been much worse.

[cjohns]

Yeah, he is very lucky. It scared me to death. He just held his head at first and didn't cry, then when I started giving him attention he started crying(typical kid - you make it a big deal and they freak).

I did smack him on the rear with the lead rope. Not sure if you guys agree with that or not, but I felt like I had to show him that was bad.

Thanks for reading.

[Shotgun93]

You do want to show him that he can't act like that around you, but smacking him probably really do much of anything. My suggestion would be to always have a halter and leadrope on him when you are leading other horses, that way if he does act up, you can control him better.

[imacowgirl2]

At his age, I would be haltering him first and turning him loose last, or at the very least, at the same time as the dam...foals his age are very unpredictable (I know, we have a 6 mo. old filly at home, and she's still unpredictable at times) and its very easy to get hurt because they DO get excited when they realize they are loose. He should lead fairly well next to his dam, and if he starts getting rambunctious, you will have control and be able to quickly correct him.

[Xiphias]

I agree with the above statements, he should be haltered, and lead, not let to run around when the other horses are being lead...and the smack on the rump with the lead was a little to late, to make him understand what it was for, they forget real fast what they did....Cathy