Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I am hoping someone can help me... I got an 8yr old Anglo-Arab 7 weeks ago and I havent had a horse of my own for 15years. she is a lovely horse but I am starting to have big problems with her and need some advice.

She has started to try and kick me when I have given her food and am trying to look around her or adjust her blanket. This is something she hasnt had any issues with before. She also pulls some pretty nasty faces at me warning me off. If she is tethered up by her stable she is good as gold but I cant always take her there as I work full time and dont have enough time.

I am presuming that she is trying to be the boss but I dont know how to tell her otherwise. I am frieghtened of getting hurt now as she has already bitten (nort hard just a warning) me twice so there doesnt seem to be a safe place to stand when I am near her in the field. Can anyone suggest what I should or can do?

Thanks in advance
Cindy

Hi Cindy,

You're right, the horse is indeed dominating you. But this is not 'naughty'. There needs to be a leader in this relationship & if she doesn't see you as the one, she naturally has to take that place herself.

It seems that you might need to do a bit of study into equine behaviour, in order to understand her better, and learn how to get her to understand and respect you. While I do things differently now myself, I have found the Parelli program to be very helpful, especially to those who are new - or new again, such as yourself - to horses. I would also reccomend Mark Rashid's books etc & you can also learn lots from articles on those people's sites.

Learning the 'psychology of learning' will also be extremely helpful to you... & isn't as deep as it sounds! 'Clicker Training' is about putting these principles into action using positive reinforcement(rewards) and is an invaluable method to learn, regardless of the species or behaviour you want to teach/change...yes, even works on husbands! You can also learn lots about this on the Net before you need to decide to buy books or such on anything. www.clickertraining.com & www.theclickercenter.com are 2 sites with much to offer on this subject.

In the meantime, while I don't generally agree with the use of punishment, this is a dangerous predicament & I think in this case, take a lunge whip or such with you, preferrably to drive her away from her food until YOU invite her back, on your terms, such as only when she's acting 'polite'. You are in control of All That Is Good in her life - exploit that & teach her that Nothing In Life Is Free. But don't be afraid to hit her if she's threatening you dangerously. And stay out of range of her unless it absolutely can't be avoided, if she's not under full control.

Driving her away & punishing the behaviour will not make her respect you as leader & getting physical isn't *generally* the answer with horses, but the above should help and buy you time & hopefully keep you safe while you're learning what else you need to know.<G>

Best wishes with your new friend... don't worry, she will be one day soon, if you learn how to meet her half way!