Couple questions....

[Candice_17]

Ok, first, the background info.

I sold Red on trial basis to some friends for thier older kids. They wanted me to come out and watch them ride the first time, so I did. They also wanted me to look at thier "free" 2yr old(turning 3 in Nov) to see if he's a stud or a gelding....

Ok, question one... I saddled Red a few weeks ago in cross ties and she reared up and lunged forward. She has never done anything like that before, so I thought maybe it was the cross ties or I had cinched her up too tight. Well, they saddled her tonight and went to get on and she did it again. She streched out then reared up and lunged forward. Now, these people are not knowledgeable horse people, they are beginners. Red has always been quiet for riding around the place, just not at shows. She has her quirks, but thier kids have been out and rode her a dozen times and they did really well with her. I don't want them to have this horse that does this. I don't know what is causing this. She was not cinched real tight tonight, she was wearing my saddle and pad that she has always worn. Any ideas what she is doing this for?????

Now, question 3..... This other horse they have was given to them as a yearling. They got him from a man that has been sick and in and out of the hospital quite a bit. He said he was a stud colt. Well, this does not look like a stud to me. At 2, soon to be 3 shouldn't he have dropped by now? I tried to feel, but he was wanting to kick, but I felt something, I'm just not sure. How can they know for sure short of taking him to a vet? They are keeping them seperated for now, to be safe, but would like to have them together. So, can a 2-3 yr old stud colt not be dropped???? They said it is entirely possible that the man they got him from may have forgot or not know that his colts were cut because of his health problems.

[mart]

Was she in cross ties this time ?? If so take her out of them and try it with just a lead rope !! But sounds like she is sore !! If she still does this I would totally start her over and pay close attention when she is saddled again !! Watch her head and ears and see if its a fear reaction ( ears will be forward) or a "dont do that" reaction (ears back) or somewhere in between (sore) !! Also feel anywhere the saddle and cinch touch to see if she is sore !! Could be that these people have cinched way too tightly or with a dirty or pinched pad !! At any rate,, if she didn`t normally do this when you had her and is doing it now,,,I would talk to them about how to saddle her properly !! And it could be that she is one that will always do this when first saddled (cinchy) !!
As for the other horse it is not unheard of for the testicles not to have dropped at that age !! It is a little uncommon though !! I had one that was almost four before he got his !! I would have a vet check testerone levels !! Should be able to tell by that !!

[Candice_17]

She wasn't in cross ties, I was holding her. This is the first time they have saddled her. I actually saddled her. I always check my blankets/pads before saddling, and there was nothing there. When she did it last time I saddled her then too. She always pins her ears and tries to bite you when you saddle her, but has never done this. She had been saddled for 2-3 min this time before she did it. I got on her right after that and she was fine. They rode her around for an hour and she was perfect. They aren't experienced enough to deal with a horse that is going to do that, so she may be coming back. I won't let them get hurt by her. I think I'll bring them a different cinch and pad and check for soreness tomorrow. If she does it again, she'll be coming back home

[mart]

Pinning her ears and biting means she is pissed and needs to be started over and really worked !! If she tries to bite knock the fire out of that nose, get in front of her and work her over !! You cannot let a horse do this and get away with it !! It could be one of those kids that gets bit and they can do some damage !! About 2 times is usually all it will take to stop that bad habit if you do it right !! As I have said before,, all mine have tried it at least once,, that is normal, but none will even think about doing it now !! Even the babies !! You are doing the horse a great diservice if its not corrected !! She could easily break a little kids arm by biting it !!