Angry Horse.

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lyndagriffiths

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In 30 years of horse ownership, and I have owned 7 horses, I have never owned such an angry horse as I have now. He is opinionated, objectionable, his body language is aggressive but equally he can be so loving. Thankfully he is showing a reasonable talent at dressage (probably would jumping but I cant face the battle!) I dont know what I am doing wrong! It is so frustrating. I dont want a lap dog but I would like a horse who doesnt look at me like I am something he trod in after the dog was near by! He has to test me out and see what he can get away with inspite of the fact I keep telling him he is being ridden by an older, care in the community woman. He believes he can walk over everyone and anything (inspite of a dually headcollar). Every time for the past 18 months I correct him. I dont beat him but I do assert my authority (if he lets me -lol). He is driving me nuts. Is it him or me. Why is he like this. He follows a good routine, plenty of roughage and balancer and magic. I try to ride 5 times per week with at least one hack out in company. He is turned out (on his own now because he upset the other geldings and got kicked twice in 6 months) for at least 6 hours a day and is always to keen to come in. Always calls to me when he sees me, though most likely he is saying "hurry up bitch". EEkkk, how do I find out what am I doing wrong???????
 
All I know is mine - he isn't aggressive but highly opinionated. Sort of like a horsey Jeremy Clarkson. He's 8 yrs old now and he still needs a firm hand. He's not phased at all by humans or their methods of control.

Last week the vet commented "he's got a special character - he's not a nasty horse but he lets his feeling be known".

The only thing I can think of doing now is giving him a TV slot on Saturday nights:-

- Why I hate plaits and what's the point of them? :mad:

- Please pick my feet up in the correct order. :rolleyes:

- I hate nosebands of any description and what's the point? :mad:

- But I like it here? :confused:

- Bucking, why we love it! :D:D:D

- Pooping in my water - how to annoy the pesky humans! ;)

- What's that over there? Why can't I look at it/run away from it?

- Vets, horror stories! :eek:

- Where's my treats????!!!???? :mad:

- Tail grooming, confessions of a pleasure seeker :cool:

He could have a full three seasons no problem - move over Clarkson!

Sorry no real advice, I just have to laugh every day and those who don't know him and initially tut - get to know him and laugh too :)
 
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Just a thought but would it be worth trying more turnout?
My old man would go mental on 18 hours stood in a box
 
this sounds like my mother's horse! she has him on stomach settler, and he is better now so she thinks maybe it was ulcer induced grouchiness.....not sure as he's still a mizzog at times!

how about if you try just being uber dominant for a week, not mean, just not letting up on ANYTHING, but also being quick to praise. Sometimes insecure/opinionated horses get grumpy as they constantly battle with you for top dog role, he might need more 'telling' than some?.... just a thought....
 
What's he like when you are tacking him up and is he a stressy horse in some situations?

If so, could be he's not happy with his routine and/or his horsey neighbours or doesn't like being out on his own despite getting kicked in the past? Other thing I thought is maybe gastric ulcers?

Suppose it's a process of elimination really then you'll know whether there's a problem or it's just his personality - grumpy?
 
My horse is turned out 24/7 and happier being on his own than in company. He is an insecure horse and it comes across and bolshy and grumpy BUT he is not he is not a stressy horse and is ultra laid back. He is trying to be the Dominant one as he questions your leadership all the time
 
God you've just described my horse!! I've had him 12months now & he's better then he was but he looks at me like Im the grim reaper!! Ears flat back..
trying to nip me when Im on my way out of the stable...but 5 minutes later he wants a hug!! Im getting the feeling this is just him...he doesn't like being told off if i raise my voice he knowhe's been
 
Bute him for ten days. If he mellows then that indicates a pain induced problem (though failure does not rule it out).And yes ,I know it is not a cure for ulcers but it helps put one on the right track.What is his breeding, some horses are more dominant than others.
 
This sounds like my boy too! We are getting him scoped for ulcers as he has started kicking out when you put your leg on as well as trying to bite when you change rugs or tighten the girth.
I would also try spending time bonding with him. I have considered using an equilibrium massage mitt but figured a good period of grooming and stroking woiuld probably do the same. You can also get smelly oils to put on your hands etc that help to bond you and your horse but I've not used them myself.

One thing that did work with mine was doing some natural horsemanship stuff with him. I'm an eventer and dont usually go in for that mumbo jumbo!!! but it really worked with him. I just did the Richard Maxwell stuff of pressure and release using the pressure headcollar. He is much more polite now and never treads on me. He will read my body langauge and move out of my way.
Hope you get it sorted soon x
 
Sounds to me like it's one of two things - pain (ie ulcers), or you are not being dominant enough over him.

I have seen many grumpy/angry horses totally turn in character.
 
Its definitely worth looking into some of the suggestions such as ulcers.
That said, you do sound like you could be describing one of my boys!
I have two and they are chalk and cheese, one is so soft and cuddly and clingy, he smothers you for affection. The other one is the total opposite - at least so he thinks...

He's the sort of horse who, like you describe, looks at you in the morning to say "WENCH, feed me now you useless piece of ...." - I found that rather than being softy cuddley nicey with him, if I march up and say "right s***bag, lets do this" he's much happier - he likes things in plain black and white english, if he were human he'd probably be effing and blinding every other word!
Funnily enough - as I learnt to approach him with a no nonsense and dare I say slightly thuggish attitude, he has clearly found some affection/respect for me and everyone comments that although he'd probably rather I punch him than cuddle him, the horse does dote on me and follow my every move, in his own funny way.

thankfully I can release my inner fluffy bunny on the other boy, who I find too intense in his need for tactile affection, he's constantly smothering me and trying to groom me, lick me etc!
 
Saucisson said:
All I know is mine - he isn't aggressive but highly opinionated. Sort of like a horsey Jeremy Clarkson. He's 8 yrs old now and he still needs a firm hand. He's not phased at all by humans or their methods of control.

Last week the vet commented "he's got a special character - he's not a nasty horse but he lets his feeling be known".

The only thing I can think of doing now is giving him a TV slot on Saturday nights:-

- Why I hate plaits and what's the point of them? :mad:

- Please pick my feet up in the correct order. :rolleyes:

- I hate nosebands of any description and what's the point? :mad:

- But I like it here? :confused:

- Bucking, why we love it! :D:D:D

- Pooping in my water - how to annoy the pesky humans! ;)

- What's that over there? Why can't I look at it/run away from it?

- Vets, horror stories! :eek:

- Where's my treats????!!!???? :mad:

- Tail grooming, confessions of a pleasure seeker :cool:

He could have a full three seasons no problem - move over Clarkson!

Sorry no real advice, I just have to laugh every day and those who don't know him and initially tut - get to know him and laugh too :)
Click to expand...

Utterly awesom reply. I think our horses were separated at birth! My chiropractor did a once over on mine tonight, she also sends healing, our little mare loved it, my big thug did something she could only call sending it back - with balls on!! lol
 
ok guys, so here is the plan. I am dominant mummy, I love my horse but I will not be intimidated (I hope!!). the back has been done tonight and there were some issues so that is done. We had a made to measure saddle in november, that is done. We had the dentist in october - that is done. I am moving both him and the little mare onto Simple System feeds - no more preservatives, molasses, cereals, additives or pulses - food is done. I will try him on 10 days worth of 2 sachets of danilon per day to see what happens. I am going to have him thermo photographed. If, at the end of this he is still him there may be a rather smart bay gelding (not entirely suited to a novice -ha ha) gelding going for a song!!! Whilst he is TB he is very chunky and looks more w/b Irish bloodlines by Regal Embers out of In The future, both irish horses by Phadante (French horse) Blood line boffins welcome to comment. I really rate this little horse just want to find a way through his shield!!!
 
My youngster was a tad aggresive when he arrived, he is an annoying mixture of spooky, insecure and arrogant/ aggressive. He was a horror around food and picked a friend up by her hair once which was funny/scary all at once.

I decided that I would generally ignore all passive (aggressive) rude behaviour, punish harshly any real naughtiness, and absolutely praise to the high heavens any good behaviour. I have also always titbitted him and it is a real motivator.

I have addicted him to praise and he has become uber fussy and affectionate - while it suits him. He and I have had a number of ding dongs and I have him pretty submissive these days, although he does still look at the world with one eyebrow raised, but he is very bright, playful and absolutely hilarious so I am glad I haven't over dominated him. I have been very firm about manners on the ground and have been seen looking ridiculous chasing him round the field, shouting like a banshee, throwing anything I could lay a hand on to get him to run away from me when he came at me with his ears back a few times.
 
I have a very angry horse but we believe it was because he was mistreated as a youngster. For the first few months I had a permanent hoof mark on my thigh from being kicked, he regularly threatens me, and often properly bites me. As soon as he does though he flies backwards begging not be hit (it appears). On the flipside he can at times be really sweet where I can rest by head on his forehead, pull his ears about, hang off his neck etc. He is just one very mixed up horse. :(
I've had him since he was 3 1/2 and he's now 12. He is an uber intelligent horse with spirit and we believe that his previous owners tried to break him, literally. He probably fought back though and so god only knows to what levels it escalated. From the day I've had him until now it's as if he is on tenter hooks waiting to get the first punch in just in case. He holds all of the angst so deep in him that he struggles to move properly. It's taken a made to measure saddle, complete rethink of diet, regular muscle release therapy, a bit of clicker training, ulcer treatments and lots of tears, headscratching and patience to get him to be a slightly happier horse that trusts me a little more. It's really only in the last 12 months has he started to free up, be able to properly move his shoulders and be able to do a (albeit poor) 3 time canter. I agree with above, that I ignore the bad behaviour (hitting him would just prove his fears) and really praise the good behaviour. I also have to be ultra clear in my instructions so that there is no confusion which could lead to angst and worry.
 
My mare is an angry creature too. I think that she has been battered at some point in her younger life in Ireland - she shoots back if you so much as raise your hand to do something else. Part of me wonders if someone hit her because they thought that she was going to attack them - she looks like that 90% of the time! She has only bitten someone once - my hubby, who she detests. I think that her hatred of him stems from him being too nice to her at first and her having no respect for him. I have come to the conclusion that she just needs her space. If you so much as look at her over the stable door her ears flick backwards. She is probably the easiest horse to handle - she would never really kick or bite, its all front. She will move wherever I ask her to in the stable without me touching her, with a lot of tail swishing. I trust her more than my other cuddle monster horse. She is the only horse that I will kneel on the floor to trim fetlocks etc as I trust that she wouldn't tread on me. Even when the vet was poking at a sore she raised her foot above her back (vet said she practically dislocated her stifle it was so high!) but wouldn't kick. To ride she can be bolshy and joggy, but, again, she is totally honest and jumps really well. I love her to bits. She just is who she is...
 
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