body language ( a bit long again soz!!)

[sallypops]

well i had some prgress last night and tonight with poppy, was much happier being in the pen with her, still jump abit if she moves her bum close very quickly. i let mum go to the shops an stuff tonight while i was sorting her out cause i felt happy enough.

still actin abit odd tho, can anyone help me figure out what poppy is tryin to tell me??

when muckin out her pen i obviously have to move right up and down the pen where ever i moved to she would remain at the other side but follow me and point her bum at me stand square and look very defensive. almost seemed like she was guardin me like a dog

hope that makes sense

then when i tryed to go out of the pen she would move as fast as she could to get infront of me and would almost stand on me and not let me out

and finally she would try and bite me, but not in an aggressive way more like tryin to lip me or somethin lol she was bein very gentle but still with a biting motion

can anyone help?? thanks

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

how old is she ?

 

[sallypops]

10 had her since she was 6. it was so strange and it sounds really silly but she was being very defencive and it did feel like she was being overly protective?? i very much doubt this i never heard of it happenin before

 

[PaintboxEDT]

sounds daft but maybe she is looking for affection,my boy does this to me in the field if i walk off he walks sideways and sticks his bum in my face for more and follows me down to the gate like it !!!
he will also groom me when i stand in front of him like he would the other horses and nip my shoulder or back and even bum if his heads low lol
maybe she is trying to get scratches from you ????
prob not on the rite track though !!!!!!

 

[sallypops]

see i spent like 15mins before muckin her out cuddling her an stuff giving her back a scratch where she likes it and rubbin her tummy which she loves

 

[the watcher]

Too many possibilities from that description to even guess at how her mind is working...try an experiment though, pay absolutely no attention to her at all next time you go in, don't speak to her, don't pat her, don't even look at her, just work around her quietly (you can fuss her afterwards though)

and then tell us if she reacts to you differently

 

[PaintboxEDT]

then maybe she wants more,i have to walk away from my boy and shut the gate as he wont leave me otherwise !!
then he will stand at the gate,i have to hide so he thinks ive gone lol as i like to watch him trot up to see his mates,i think she is just asking for more attention !

 

[Shilasdair]

Sounds as if she may have decided that you are a lower ranking member of her herd...so turning bum as dominance, herding you back into the 'herd space' when you stray too far from her, your leader.
Not good for you...but easily sorted.
S

 

[sallypops]

oh god lol!! if thats the case i'll soon sort that out!!

 

[Shilasdair]

Bit of dominant horse language needed methinks.
Start when you go in by making her back up for you...keep your body posture square. Don't bend over or look at the ground as this is a submissive stance. And certainly don't move out of her way.
I'd maybe avoid the mutual grooming and fussing until she is a bit more respectful.
Oh, and try not to whinny too much

S