| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| happydaze |
Posted - Dec 23 2009 : 4:54:32 PM
My mini gelding bit me today at feeding time. He has been getting agressive for a while now, trying to nip and kick.now he's chasing the mare and goats. Boots my guard dog is trying to keep me out of the pen, and barks nonstop at Ollie when I';m in there, So I will take Boots advice and get rid of him asap. Dog is never wrong, saves my butt all the time from our local bear ..can I in good conscience sell this horse with a bad attitude, should I put him down? He is a good looking gelding, under 2 yrs, stands for the farrier,. but that is only person he likes. |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ZenGoddess |
Posted - Dec 25 2009 : 8:09:55 PM
I agree with Alee on alot of what she says especially the treat giving. Sweet feed will also make a horse hot, nothing wrong with just oats. I think your guy is just bored and thats how he is getting your attention. He needs to get a job, in the round pen or where ever and if it takes you getting mad - then GET Mad but make him work & like Alee said; do the circles and turning, it will get him to respect you. He is far too young to not not change his ways, NOW. Its not too late. Get a man to help if thats what it takes. 15 min to a 1/2 hour 2x's a day then increase as his mind starts paying attention to you. Make him keep his eyes on you all the time... its not as easy as it sounds but the more he respects you the more he will keep his eyes on you otherwise he is ignoring you. It gets easier for you too as you see him progress. Don't give up on your self or him !!
Hugs,
ZenGoddess/Southernplum
My life goal is to Simply - Simplify my life.
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| Alee |
Posted - Dec 25 2009 : 7:10:05 PM
Hi Lorraine- One thing I had to learn with horses that like to push boundaries is to not give treats by hand. And really, treat giving should be saved until they really know their space. I know it seems hard, because I love to spoil my horse too- but when you give them treats they can learn to nibble/bite when a hand is near. Just my opinion, but until he really respects you- and I mean really respects you- he should only get his normal feed. If he is getting grain I would cut his rations down unless he needs it to maintain weight. Sometimes a diet other than just grass hay can make horses and especially ponies "hot". He might have more energy in him than he knows wht to do with.
One book that I really like is http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Ancient-Secrets-Horses-Mind/dp/0929346653/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261796879&sr=8-1
It was recommended reading from an old riding instructor of mine and it really helps with understanding some of the reactions the horse is giving you- including the dominant behavior for example. Hope that helps! And by all means- think of him as a naughty teenager! Be tough with him now to save him problems in future!!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
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| happydaze |
Posted - Dec 25 2009 : 11:01:24 AM
thanks all, I went in with a bamboo stick, didnt have a whip and kept him from his food, until Zelda and the goats had eaten, held him by the harness. He was not happy with me. to say the least. later when I went to check them , he had gotten my stick and bit it in two. hilarious! he is 20 months, had a bad trainer at first, heavy handed, he responds to peppermint candy and kisses. and yes I am intimidated by him. maybe I should think of him as one of my teenage gsons and then he'll be scared to even blink at me without permission!!!I really am a cupcake, but I had betgter get tough or I cant keep my little horsie. and I had to wait until I was a senior(60yo)to get my first horse. o thank you ladies, I will try harder. |
| Alee |
Posted - Dec 23 2009 : 9:12:51 PM
Whenever a horse gets mouthy with me I take my pointer finger and middle finger and jab it right behind the end of their mouth on the side of their muzzle. Works like a charm.
If you sell him you really need to disclose his current temperment issues. Otherwise yo could be opening yourself up liability wise.
If you want to keep him, this is what I suggest:
Then get that bugger into a round pen and with a lunge whip or a lasso get him going round and then take a shortcut through the middle about half way or 3/4 of the way infront of him and make him turn. Round pen him like that and make him turn a lot. The more he turns the more he realized YOU are in charge- not him. Also if he tries to ignore you snap the lunge whip. If that still doesn't get a response crack the whip close enough that he gets a bit of the lash. It won't hurt him, but he won't like it. (I have accidently whipped myself so I know empirically!) It seems at two horses seem to go through a stage where they are really trying to establish a new herd structure which means pushing boundaries. It makes sense if you think of wild herds and about when a stallion colt would be forced out by the herd stallion and also when mares first start cycling fertile estrus.
Horses are hardwired to believe that the herd member that makes the other move out of a space is the dominant one. Right now he is getting you to move out of his space. You have to re-take the herd leader spot in his brain.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
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| Faransgirl |
Posted - Dec 23 2009 : 7:24:44 PM
Sounds to me like he needs training. If he bits you do whatever you have to to make him think he is going to die for three seconds. Hit yell whatever. I good trainer once told me to punch him right on the soft part of his muzzle. I don't normally condone hitting anything but horses can not be allowed to bite. You might want to check for a health issue a broken tooth or something. I have an older gelding that had at some point (before I got him) been in an accident and broken three of his teeth. The place that had him before me decided to send him to a slaughter house because he was aggressive and was biting. After I got him and got his teeth floated we discovered the broken teeth and once they were taken care of he is so sweet even little kids can deal with him. So before you do anything drastic at least have him checked out.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Dec 23 2009 : 6:02:44 PM
Well, I agree with Teresa! I'd bite him really hard! Like the fellow on the movie "Snow Dogs" did to that mean dog! LOL. Maybe try biting that horse two times.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Dec 23 2009 : 5:53:15 PM
My grandpa told me if a horse ever bites you, you grab his lip and bite him back, ( we are meat eaters , makes them think )I had a stud colt that tried to get into that horrid habit, I did what Grandpa said, and WOW, it worked, he stepped back, with the whites of his eyes showing, and then came back and nuzzled. Never ever had a problem with him again. I have told many a person about this, alot tried it with biters, and almost all said it worked the first time. Did you own your mini before he was gelded, could it be he is proud cut? If this is new for him, and he's going after your mare, could be hormones, how old is he? On occasion, a horse will deceide that they only like Men/women, I would try working with him more, but if he's good with men, thats where he should go, I would not euthanize him til you have exhausted all other reasons.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 23 2009 : 5:34:39 PM
Maybe the farrier would buy him. I'm sure that hurts being bit by a horse. I wouldn't want that to happen again. Is there some training you could do with him to get him to stop? Like spraying water in his face?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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