...And here comes the Kevin's?

[Elno]

My saint of a four year old has been away for 2 months on pasture in a field with other horses just being a horse and doing horsey things after a spring of ridden training which went very well. I have visited him a couple of times a week giving him the odd scratch and treat but left him to his own devices basically.

On Sunday me and the YO took all the horses back to the stable from the field where they lived out 24/7 and now will be stabled at night and yesterday I decided that it was time for some much needed grooming. He's unshod until friday and won't be ridden until he has shoes out on so the plan is to walk and maybe lunge until shod.

Anywhoo, like I said- I put away a saint of a horse and got back....I don't know, one of Satans minor demons perhaps? It's like ALL manners are gone and I have this semi feral beast all of a sudden.

Stand still in cross ties? Nope
Stand still enough for me to safely trim his mane? Nope
Lift hind legs? Yeah okay...but on second though...Nah!

Cry for his buddies a gazillion times? Yes!
Try to bite me? Yes!
Paw the ground? Yes!
Try to cow kick me in the face when I trim feathers on hind legs? You betcha!

This is a horse who before he was turned away and had a personality transplant of some sort was extremely well mannered, usually dozing away in the cross ties and you could do whatever you wanted with him and he would just stand there.

I was pretty patient with his antics thinking he was unsettled because all his buddies were out and the routines recently changed and whatnot until he cow kicked me (luckely not hard and not in the face), but then lost it and gave him a proper smack over his bum and a growl and then continued on with my business, and then he just... Immidiately settled? Stopped fretting about, stopped kicking, took his head down and even let me trim his (god awful) goatbeard that he managed to grow in a couple of months without any fuss and continued to be "normal" until I put him back out to his buddies.

So, I have been going over and over this in my head and need some help to understand what happened so I don't ruin my amazing horse in the time to come. Is it the Kevin's that are upon us? Or is it that he has been living life for 2 months and not settled yet from the change of being back to the stable and separated from his buddies? Has he just forgotten his manners and needs a reminder?

I think I also must add that this is the most dominant, self confident horse I've dealt with. Not with humans - he knew his place before at least, but in herd situations with other horses he is the boss and usually asserts his dominance by threatening to kick/kicking and we noticed that he ruled in that field. Could it be that he tried to assert dominance over me and when I didn't back down and told him off he immidiately remembered his place (because really, it was like flip of a switch) or am I heavely anthropomorphizing him now?

Tea and biscuits to everyone who maneged to read all my crazy musings. Thoughts? ?

 

[LadyGascoyne]

What was his routine like before he went away? Was he turned out regularly? Alone or in company? Was he on hard feed or just forage?

How long did he have that routine in place before leaving?

I’d probably be looking at the whole picture from before he was turned away, then what changed for him when he was away, and then how quickly you’ve brought him back.

 

[Elno]

What was his routine like before he went away? Was he turned out regularly? Alone or in company? Was he on hard feed or just forage?

How long did he have that routine in place before leaving?

I’d probably be looking at the whole picture from before he was turned away, then what changed for him when he was away, and then how quickly you’ve brought him back.

He was at the same yard before we turned them away for the summer with the same horses, so the horse company and the yard/stable he came back to hasn't changed. He had been in this yard about feb- beginning of june (basically since I bought him) before turned out 24/7 mid june- up until now in a grass field a couple of miles from the stable, and they have plenty of turn out atvthe yard, albeit in individual paddocks but with the ability to touch and groom/play with each other over the fences. They are turned out 12h a day no matter the weather (we don't do "duvet days" in Sweden ?) and come in for the night. His behaviour was like I said, impeccable before he went on his "holiday".

Before he was turned away he was on hay, protein nuts and a vit/min balancer. In the field he was on grass, and then we started to feed extra with hay since the grass was poor, and now that he is back (since sunday that is) on hay and vit/min supplement. Haven't started with the hard feed since he's not in work at the moment and I know too well what overfeeding can do.

 

[Bellaboo18]

I'd have just brought a mate in with him for the first few times. He's been in a herd so being taken away from them and being on his own would have been scary.
It'll take him a bit to get used to a new routine again.

 

[Elno]

I'd have just bought a mate in with him for the first few times. He's in a herd now so being taken away from them and being on his own would have been scary.

Yes probably it was as simple as a change from being in a herd for a while to now going back to having individual paddocks again and not being used to being separated from his buddies. I'm probably overthinking it and he will settle back to his old ways in time ?

 

[Bellaboo18]

Yes probably it was as simple as a change from being in a herd for a while to now going back to having individual paddocks again and not being used to being separated from his buddies. I'm probably overthinking it and he will settle back to his old ways in time ?

Is there any reason he can't be in a herd again? Going from a herd to individual turnout would make most clingy.

 

[Trouper]

I think you may have just overloaded his young brain with a lot of activity after a prolonged period of "doing his own thing". He may be confident and the boss in the field but he is still a young herd animal whose routine has just been totally disrupted.
Just scale it back a bit and let him still have plenty of time with his mates while you concentrate on just one thing at once with him. The shock you gave him may have worked well on this occasion but it would be better to build a good relationship with him slowly and watch for signs that he is becoming anxious about anything. As they say, always finish on a good note.

 

[Elno]

Is there any reason he can't be in a herd again? Going from a herd to individual turnout would make most clingy.

Unfortunately the yard that I'm at currently only do individual turn out because of paddock sizes and because the YO chooses to have this setup because of risk of injury, but like I wrote in another post- they can see and touch each other. I prefer myself to turn out horses with buddies and we're gonna move later to another yard where this is possible ?

 

[Elno]

I think you may have just overloaded his young brain with a lot of activity after a prolonged period of "doing his own thing". He may be confident and the boss in the field but he is still a young herd animal whose routine has just been totally disrupted.
Just scale it back a bit and let him still have plenty of time with his mates while you concentrate on just one thing at once with him. The shock you gave him may have worked well on this occasion but it would be better to build a good relationship with him slowly and watch for signs that he is becoming anxious about anything. As they say, always finish on a good note.

Yes, most probably that was what happened. I had planned to do more with him yesterday, but decided like you said to finish on a good note and since he let me trim his beard without fuss I decided to stop there and let him out to his buddies.

I will just start gradually with him until we are back where we left off before he was turned away.

Thanks for the input ?

 

[Red-1]

If he has been field boss I think it is possible that he missed them all the more as he has to look what they are doing (in his mind). Even if that is not the case, it is a trauma going from 24/7 turnout to individual, then being tied in cross ties. I would have given it a while before trimming, basic handling until he is settled. That said, I would expect good behaviour at all times, but those times would be short and sweet and not asking for much initially.

 

[Elno]

If he has been field boss I think it is possible that he missed them all the more as he has to look what they are doing (in his mind). Even if that is not the case, it is a trauma going from 24/7 turnout to individual, then being tied in cross ties. I would have given it a while before trimming, basic handling until he is settled. That said, I would expect good behaviour at all times, but those times would be short and sweet and not asking for much initially.

Oh boy, I feel pretty dumb now... I just went on with it like we used to thinking we just could pick up where we left of, but of course it probably overwhelmed him. Poor guy ?Luckely it was not a new yard atleast, but his old one. I will take it down a notch. Next time I will bring him in with a buddy, and after a while alone for a short while and take it from there.

Thanks for your input ?

 

[dorsetladette]

you said he behaved after you corrected the unwanted behaviour. I'd just correct it sooner next time he comes in. IMHO we overthink things when it comes to our babies. They just need firm, fair and consistent boundaries.

 

[Red-1]

Oh boy, I feel pretty dumb now... I just went on with it like we used to thinking we just could pick up where we left of, but of course it probably overwhelmed him. Poor guy ?Luckely it was not a new yard atleast, but his old one. I will take it down a notch. Next time I will bring him in with a buddy, and after a while alone for a short while and take it from there.

Thanks for your input ?

I probably wouldn't bring the buddy in as well, as he has to re-establish that he has to come in alone and has done so before. I just would keep it short, sweet and simple with what I was doing. TBF, I generally wouldn't turn them back out until they are well behaved as they could make the association that "if I pratt about I get to go back out." The difference I would make would be to what I expected to achieve initially. I would expect proper behaviour, but that would not include trimming etc, which is something to be done only when a horse is settled as it can add extra stress and put you in a vulnerable position.

Initially, as I said, I would do basic handling, simple groom and hoof pick, maybe a bucket feed and then go back out. Short, sweet and simple. Just to get back into the routine. But proper behaviour for the short, sweet and simple procedures expected.

 

[Elno]

you said he behaved after you corrected the unwanted behaviour. I'd just correct it sooner next time he comes in. IMHO we overthink things when it comes to our babies. They just need firm, fair and consistent boundaries.

You're right, when he fidgeted I did correct him, but not firmly but mostly by talking to him and make him step back if he stepped forward and forward if he stepped back. When he kicked me on the other hand he was corrected firmly and immidiately so he probably put the kicking and me reprimanding him together (I've read somewhere that you have 3 seconds to correct a behaviour, if longer the horse will not understand what you are correcting him for).

 

[Elno]

I probably wouldn't bring the buddy in as well, as he has to re-establish that he has to come in alone and has done so before. I just would keep it short, sweet and simple with what I was doing. TBF, I generally wouldn't turn them back out until they are well behaved as they could make the association that "if I pratt about I get to go back out." The difference I would make would be to what I expected to achieve initially. I would expect proper behaviour, but that would not include trimming etc, which is something to be done only when a horse is settled as it can add extra stress and put you in a vulnerable position.

Initially, as I said, I would do basic handling, simple groom and hoof pick, maybe a bucket feed and then go back out. Short, sweet and simple. Just to get back into the routine. But proper behaviour for the short, sweet and simple procedures expected.

Noted! Thank you! Will do just that then ?

 

[LadyGascoyne]

He was at the same yard before we turned them away for the summer with the same horses, so the horse company and the yard/stable he came back to hasn't changed. He had been in this yard about feb- beginning of june (basically since I bought him) before turned out 24/7 mid june- up until now in a grass field a couple of miles from the stable, and they have plenty of turn out atvthe yard, albeit in individual paddocks but with the ability to touch and groom/play with each other over the fences. They are turned out 12h a day no matter the weather (we don't do "duvet days" in Sweden ?) and come in for the night. His behaviour was like I said, impeccable before he went on his "holiday".

Before he was turned away he was on hay, protein nuts and a vit/min balancer. In the field he was on grass, and then we started to feed extra with hay since the grass was poor, and now that he is back (since sunday that is) on hay and vit/min supplement. Haven't started with the hard feed since he's not in work at the moment and I know too well what overfeeding can do.

That will be it then - he’s gone from individual to herd, and now you’re bringing him back to individual. That’s a huge social adjustment for him.

If you can’t maintain group turnout then it’s just a case of working through it consistently and patiently.

But I would imagine that he’s clicked that being in a herd is “right” from an instinct/ security perspective and it may take him some time to adjust to being taken out of that environment and back to individual, which is quite artificial for them.

 

[Annagain]

If he behaved once you told him off I wouldn't overthink it. Just continue being firm, fair and consistent and he'll be back to his old self in no time. It's like kids on the first day back at school after the summer holidays. They've gone a bit feral and need reminding of the rules and boundaries.

 

[Elno]

If he behaved once you told him off I wouldn't overthink it. Just continue being firm, fair and consistent and he'll be back to his old self in no time. It's like kids on the first day back at school after the summer holidays. They've gone a bit feral and need reminding of the rules and boundaries.

Haha yeah I reckon it must be something like that. I will take it slow and let him adjust and take it from there. Preferably while keeping my face away from his hooves ?

 

[spacefaer]

By your admission, he's a naturally dominant confident chap with other horses - he's probably been top of the heap in the field. He came in and forgot you're meant to be the alpha. You reasserted that you're in charge - he remembered after you told him off.
I wouldn't over think it or indulge him going forward. He'll go back to how he was, if you are firm, fair and consistent.

Horses are not complicated creatures. They are social animals and they understand group hierarchy way better than we do.

 

[Elno]

By your admission, he's a naturally dominant confident chap with other horses - he's probably been top of the heap in the field. He came in and forgot you're meant to be the alpha. You reasserted that you're in charge - he remembered after you told him off.
I wouldn't over think it or indulge him going forward. He'll go back to how he was, if you are firm, fair and consistent.

Horses are not complicated creatures. They are social animals and they understand group hierarchy way better than we do.

Yes he most definitely has been top of the heap since day one in that field, bossing the other horses around. Kind of funny actually, he's barely 15 hh, just turned four and is a plump, rather rotund and stubby looking jet black coblet type of a horse (norwegien Dølehest) bossing around a big lusitano, SWB and an arab - all bigger and older than him ??

We'll see how he behaves the coming days after settling back into his routines Hopefully I'll get my lovely boy back the way he was before.

 

[ihatework]

I wouldn’t overthink it.
Horse has just had a quick change in expectations - behaviour reflects that.
Remind horse of expectations and boundaries and give a few days to settle before starting to think about it!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Yes he most definitely has been top of the heap since day one in that field, bossing the other horses around. Kind of funny actually, he's barely 15 hh, just turned four and is a plump, rather rotund and stubby looking jet black coblet type of a horse (norwegien Dølehest) bossing around a big lusitano, SWB and an arab - all bigger and older than him ??

We'll see how he behaves the coming days after settling back into his routines Hopefully I'll get my lovely boy back the way he was before.

Ooooh, I'd love to see a photo - not seen (or heard of) a Dølehest before!

 

[PurBee]

My young gelding was exactly like this when he returned from 18 months with a herd. He went away a complete sweetheart - you could handle any part of him, he loved human attention. Then returned as satan’s spawn, biting being lead, kicking when handling feet, hating being groomed and wanted to be just left alone!

My gelding wasn’t lead herd member, being young he learnt herd behaviour - which he then tried on me to ‘put me in my place’. He was really mimicking what he’d learnt in the herd. He’d forgotten the ‘before’ human handling behaviour. The ‘animal’ behaviour dominated.

So i took it slow. I would headcollar him and we’d do 10 mins of leadrope/ground work. Give him a pat and a bunch of hay after - leave it on a good note.
Feet - i would do fronts 1 session (trimming), then backs another session.

I would ignore his pawing/fidgeting and other impatient behaviours and carry on doing whatever mini-session i was working on. But any aggressive behaviour that leaked through, would be swiftly reprimanded if it was terrible aggression, like biting/nipping - being told ‘no’ immediately with finger raised stopped him from continuing to sink in his teeth. It then became a ‘game’ for him ? to see if he could get a quick nip at me before i notice and say ‘no’!
If this was lip nuzzle behaviour/play i wouldn’t have been so bothered,- but they were proper fast, hard nips you could feel through clothing. It became his worst habit so approaches from gentle reprimand of saying ‘no!’ loud and fast didnt work to stop the behaviour.
So like you, wondered why he was so different behaviourally and made the herd behaviour link. They nip each other to get the other horse out of their space. He nipped the mare often on the back legs to get her attention to play with him. She’d threaten a fake kick, he’d raise his head, then go in for another nip. He was at a really playful annoying little brother stage at 18months-2yrs old.
I noticed with her when she really wanted him gone she’d swing and nip his foreshoulder, or do a fake bite face at his face. Then he would leave her be. She was dominant herd mare.

So, using that behaviour as inspiration, when he nipped me i pinched his foreshoulder. Pinching to mimic a bite. He’d stop, then try again. It really was an issue with him and i know plenty of folk would have walloped him on the muzzle with such an annoying habit, but i was exploring the behaviour and dynamics. The smack on the bum you gave him that worked, was a mimic of a bite theyd get in the field - so this is why humans have learnt a fast smack tends to correct the behaviour. It rarely hurts them, they do it to each other all the time in the herd. I was exploring whether other methods work.
I ended up flicking my middle finger on his muzzle when he nipped me. Just like you’re flicking away a heavy ball - a firm flick, immediately within the second of nipping, at the side of his lips, worked on him. It was a concentrated area where he would feel me respond. Rather than a muzzle smack that covers a large area - a hard finger flick on the lips was enough of a deterrant. In the end he stopped it as ’play’ - and if he did a gentle fast play bite, would respond to just voice ‘no’.

I know a swift muzzle smack would have solved it months beforehand but he was so good putting his head into a headcollar, being fussed about the face - i didnt want to risk making him headshy, by smacking any part of his face even once. The finger flick was like a pinch on the muzzle for him, and happened so fast he barely worked out what part of my body caused it, as i also said ‘no’ while finger flicking, so he was generally always looking at my face, not hands.

Most other behaviours i ignored, and would repeat my ask, until compliance, then id give a reward of ‘rest’ or ‘fuss’. It depends on the horse personality what works. My boy was/is so playful, alert, curious, loves interracting with people/animals. So when young that behaviour went wild, and being in a herd for 18 months, no handling, allowed it to really ‘blossom’! Slow consistent handling, short sessions brought him back to being the sweet dude that left as a youngster.

If you are managing to bring him in alone, despite calling for mates, if he stops calling at some point, id continue to bring in alone. If the yelling for mates is non-stop, he’s going crazy, can there be a horse already on the yard he can see while you work with him? I’d be cautious about bringing in a mate with him always. He could develop reliance on that, so when you want to start bringing in alone he wont be caught unless he sees his mate coming too. Sometimes temporary remedies become future handicaps.
I’d aim for continuing to bring in alone, and have a horse he can see/be nearish already on the yard.
If that doesnt work, he insists it must be a herd buddy, have one of his mates brought in separately from him, before him. That horse will be on the yard waiting to say hi to him when he is then brought in.
I’d even switch herd buddy brought in so he doesnt become attached to just 1 particular horse being brought in.

Having a horse attached to another is a scenario to avoid. We need them confident alone. Many trainers say to ‘un-attach’ horses from their mate(s), the best way is to make the session of them being alone with you as enjoyable as possible, where they get something they dont get with their mates. While theyre with their mates, we dont give scratches/treats etc - they only get those ‘nice things’ when alone with you. The horse then associates ‘good times’ being away from the herd, and with us. It’s a form of reverse psychology.
Often times horses are taken from a herd ‘to work’ and returned to herd, to relax. When older they accept this without bad behaviour, but when young, they understandably want to be with herd as that = rest, food, freedom and relaxation. Being with us usually means subverted will = doing something theyd rather not do!
So it’s useful for starting with initial shorter sessions, inclusive of ’nice things’ the horse loves.
Again, this is dependent on individual horse personality, what things that particular horse likes - most love food treats, so thats usually employed. Many love scratches and massage. Lift their feet, give a treat.
But never, ever give these treats while theyre with their buddies! Theyre ‘high value’ and want to be limited to times when alone with you.

 

[Ratface]

I own an old, medium sized 16hh) horse. I've owned him for seven years. My verbal and hand cues for walk on, back, over, and whoa have been the same ever since I bought him. All issued in a very low key way.
Occasionally, The Prince of Arrogance will front me up, with a long snake neck, raised head, bared teeth and narrowed eyes. I immediately get right into his space, in front of him, index finger in his chest, sharp prod, paired with firm verbal command. Repeat and insist that he goes right to the back of his stable. Pause. Bring forward. Repeat. Pat and scratch. To date, he's only ever required one repeat.
He could easily flatten me, but to date, ? he hasn't.

 

[Ratface]

I've just looked-up your breed of horse. Impressive-looking creatures. I'd definitely not one of those in my space, even by accident, without some basic training firmly installed. Lovely type, though.

 

[paddy555]

Ooooh, I'd love to see a photo - not seen (or heard of) a Dølehest before!

are you not familiar with Mathilde and Ivar?
click on watch below (which is on FB) and make sure you turn the music up.

watch

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

are you not familiar with Mathilde and Ivar?
click on watch below (which is on FB) and make sure you turn the music up.

watch

I haven't! He's just lovely

 

[Elno]

My young gelding was exactly like this when he returned from 18 months with a herd. He went away a complete sweetheart - you could handle any part of him, he loved human attention. Then returned as satan’s spawn, biting being lead, kicking when handling feet, hating being groomed and wanted to be just left alone!

My gelding wasn’t lead herd member, being young he learnt herd behaviour - which he then tried on me to ‘put me in my place’. He was really mimicking what he’d learnt in the herd. He’d forgotten the ‘before’ human handling behaviour. The ‘animal’ behaviour dominated.

So i took it slow. I would headcollar him and we’d do 10 mins of leadrope/ground work. Give him a pat and a bunch of hay after - leave it on a good note.
Feet - i would do fronts 1 session (trimming), then backs another session.

I would ignore his pawing/fidgeting and other impatient behaviours and carry on doing whatever mini-session i was working on. But any aggressive behaviour that leaked through, would be swiftly reprimanded if it was terrible aggression, like biting/nipping - being told ‘no’ immediately with finger raised stopped him from continuing to sink in his teeth. It then became a ‘game’ for him ? to see if he could get a quick nip at me before i notice and say ‘no’!
If this was lip nuzzle behaviour/play i wouldn’t have been so bothered,- but they were proper fast, hard nips you could feel through clothing. It became his worst habit so approaches from gentle reprimand of saying ‘no!’ loud and fast didnt work to stop the behaviour.
So like you, wondered why he was so different behaviourally and made the herd behaviour link. They nip each other to get the other horse out of their space. He nipped the mare often on the back legs to get her attention to play with him. She’d threaten a fake kick, he’d raise his head, then go in for another nip. He was at a really playful annoying little brother stage at 18months-2yrs old.
I noticed with her when she really wanted him gone she’d swing and nip his foreshoulder, or do a fake bite face at his face. Then he would leave her be. She was dominant herd mare.

So, using that behaviour as inspiration, when he nipped me i pinched his foreshoulder. Pinching to mimic a bite. He’d stop, then try again. It really was an issue with him and i know plenty of folk would have walloped him on the muzzle with such an annoying habit, but i was exploring the behaviour and dynamics. The smack on the bum you gave him that worked, was a mimic of a bite theyd get in the field - so this is why humans have learnt a fast smack tends to correct the behaviour. It rarely hurts them, they do it to each other all the time in the herd. I was exploring whether other methods work.
I ended up flicking my middle finger on his muzzle when he nipped me. Just like you’re flicking away a heavy ball - a firm flick, immediately within the second of nipping, at the side of his lips, worked on him. It was a concentrated area where he would feel me respond. Rather than a muzzle smack that covers a large area - a hard finger flick on the lips was enough of a deterrant. In the end he stopped it as ’play’ - and if he did a gentle fast play bite, would respond to just voice ‘no’.

I know a swift muzzle smack would have solved it months beforehand but he was so good putting his head into a headcollar, being fussed about the face - i didnt want to risk making him headshy, by smacking any part of his face even once. The finger flick was like a pinch on the muzzle for him, and happened so fast he barely worked out what part of my body caused it, as i also said ‘no’ while finger flicking, so he was generally always looking at my face, not hands.

Most other behaviours i ignored, and would repeat my ask, until compliance, then id give a reward of ‘rest’ or ‘fuss’. It depends on the horse personality what works. My boy was/is so playful, alert, curious, loves interracting with people/animals. So when young that behaviour went wild, and being in a herd for 18 months, no handling, allowed it to really ‘blossom’! Slow consistent handling, short sessions brought him back to being the sweet dude that left as a youngster.

If you are managing to bring him in alone, despite calling for mates, if he stops calling at some point, id continue to bring in alone. If the yelling for mates is non-stop, he’s going crazy, can there be a horse already on the yard he can see while you work with him? I’d be cautious about bringing in a mate with him always. He could develop reliance on that, so when you want to start bringing in alone he wont be caught unless he sees his mate coming too. Sometimes temporary remedies become future handicaps.
I’d aim for continuing to bring in alone, and have a horse he can see/be nearish already on the yard.
If that doesnt work, he insists it must be a herd buddy, have one of his mates brought in separately from him, before him. That horse will be on the yard waiting to say hi to him when he is then brought in.
I’d even switch herd buddy brought in so he doesnt become attached to just 1 particular horse being brought in.

Having a horse attached to another is a scenario to avoid. We need them confident alone. Many trainers say to ‘un-attach’ horses from their mate(s), the best way is to make the session of them being alone with you as enjoyable as possible, where they get something they dont get with their mates. While theyre with their mates, we dont give scratches/treats etc - they only get those ‘nice things’ when alone with you. The horse then associates ‘good times’ being away from the herd, and with us. It’s a form of reverse psychology.
Often times horses are taken from a herd ‘to work’ and returned to herd, to relax. When older they accept this without bad behaviour, but when young, they understandably want to be with herd as that = rest, food, freedom and relaxation. Being with us usually means subverted will = doing something theyd rather not do!
So it’s useful for starting with initial shorter sessions, inclusive of ’nice things’ the horse loves.
Again, this is dependent on individual horse personality, what things that particular horse likes - most love food treats, so thats usually employed. Many love scratches and massage. Lift their feet, give a treat.
But never, ever give these treats while theyre with their buddies! Theyre ‘high value’ and want to be limited to times when alone with you.

Oh my god, thanks for the lovely post, it was a delight to read. I recognise so much from your description of your youngster and how you went about managing it. My little goblin is extremely friendly and social with humans, even in ridden work if something scares him he looks to me to first to tell him it's okay and to walk on. Never actually experienced that type of behaviour from a horse before and I like it quite a lot and hope it doesn't disappear. He can be a bit nippy at times, and gets corrected (with a smack on the muzzle, I hate to confess) usually when you lead him on a lead rope and he is excited, but otherwise he leads well. He hasn't forgotten how to lead and we led them a couple of miles, passing even very heavy traffic without any issues back to the yard from the field and he also was perfect to lead to and from the stable yesterday. He called for his mates a bit yes, but also answered them when they called for him- not an ideal situation I know, but I didn't think of him overly stressed or panicking over being alone. Tried to make it a good time for him also by giving treats and talking calmly to him when he stood still so like you said, show him that being with me, albeit alone without the buddies is nice.

We'll see how he develops

Here's a picture of my little devil's spa...eehum I mean darling horsie

 

[Elno]

I've just looked-up your breed of horse. Impressive-looking creatures. I'd definitely not one of those in my space, even by accident, without some basic training firmly installed. Lovely type, though.

He has never been up in my face actually, I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression by my posts! English is not my first language and grammatical errors do sneak in sometimes ? I have to clarify that he hasn't disrespected my space, not even when I was standing in the field with him loose these last two months. He's not the bargy type and has never tried to walk over me. He backs up on verbal cues at all times, even did yesterday in cross ties when I asked him. It's the behaviour in the stable standing in cross ties that is completely out of character for him and subsequently made me wonder if the reason for it was lack of buddies, dominance or something else entirely and I really wanted to pick the forums collective brain about it ?

 

[Annagain]

I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression by my posts! English is not my first language and grammatical errors do sneak in sometimes ?

Please never apologise for your English. It's way better than our Swedish - and dare I say some people's English! Thank you for speaking / writing our language so well that we get to share your company on here. Tack (the only bit of Swedish I know, which proves my point.)