bossy 3 yr old wont let me take my new boy out the field

[Firehorse]

my new boy went into the herd yesterday. i got him out last night to give him a quick check over and feed, as i did the filly came charging over at us. this morning, they are both right at the far end of the field and she wouldnt let me near him. i managed to get round her and popped his headcollar on, but then she wouldnt let me lead him away. i gave up in the end as she started turning her bum on us and i didnt want me or pony to get hurt. the rest of the herd are generally leaving him alone, its just her. i know they will settle eventually, its just bl**dy annoying i cant get him out to spend time with him. i'll hve to wait for the filly's owner to be there.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Is she in season?

 

[MrsMozart]

Take a long rope with you and spin it (like a propellor). It makes a great noise and is just spooky enough to see off annoying neds

 

[Firehorse]

yes she's in season. i'm wary of her as she can get silly and does threaten to kick and she's big!. i dont want to cause problems in the herd by dragginig my new boy out if he's "not allowed" by the other horses. but do want to start bonding with him. its frustrating!

wudnt want to swing a rope in case i spook my pony, i want him to trust me!!

 

[MrsMozart]

If you keep your pony behind you, he shouldn't mind the rope being swung.

 

[Ellies_mum2]

Will be interested to hear what others say about this as I'm in a similar situation but its my 9 month old filly's mum that's the problem. She comes galloping over and calls to Bella and the poor thing is clearly torn between me and her mum. I have been able to send mum on her way so far by carrying a dressage whip with me and using it to create a barrier between them to enable me to get out of the field.

Luckily I have another field and herd that I can turn Bella out with to break the bond. Is that a possibility for you at all?

 

[MontyandZoom]

poor you! I had this problem when Monty first arrived with a couple of mares who were in love with him (he is a hunk!). Agree that whirling a leadrope and making yourself big is a good plan. They will settle soon enough. It's a pain in the bum though!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Yup, I'd take a nice swishy whip in with me. Stand tall, shoulders out and make your body SCREAM "push off sister". To up the ante, fling your arms out suddenly and swish the swishy whip through the air a few times. Because NO horse can be allowed to threaten a human, you may need to catch the filly a smack on her arse if she turns her back on you.

 

[Theresa_F]

Same as BoF - very long whip - so you don't have to get too close - lunge whip is good and I would first try to use body language and growls and then follow up with a flick if necessary. If message still not understood and then they would get one on the backside, turn their backside and immediately they would get the final option - I won't have that under any circumstances.

I will not have another horse threaten me or my horse when in the field - I am the boss and they had better not think about even a hint of agression towards me. Terrible manners and outright dangerous.

I however, have no problem with a horse cantering up to say hello, and following mine to the gate, just no signs of agression and they move out of the way when told to.

 

[Firehorse]

humph! its not just the filly. just been down the yard and her mum was there. she was out the field, so i went to catch my boy and as i started moving to the gate, the others all came towards us. ben panicked, so again i had to let him go.

i know it will settle in time when they accept him and leave him alone, but bahhhhh! the others arent being particularly nasty to him, just bossy. and as he's one of the smallest, and i'm quite small, there's no respect there yet. and i wanted to ride tomorrow.

 

[wench]

bossy pony needs some manners...

 

[Bowen4Horses]

[ QUOTE ]
humph! its not just the filly. just been down the yard and her mum was there. she was out the field, so i went to catch my boy and as i started moving to the gate, the others all came towards us. ben panicked, so again i had to let him go.



[/ QUOTE ]

if i were you, i'd speak to the other owners, because you don't want to start off on a bad foot with your new horsey. if he is being made to panic, and then being let go, it won't take him long to work out how to avoid being caught (panic).

i'd see if the other owners can help at all. you need your horse to see you as a leader. good luck!

p.s. also, i'd check with the filly's owner before taking a whip out and threatening her with it (whilst i completely agree she needs it) because some owners might freak out if they look into the field and see you chasing their filly away with a whip...

 

[Booboos]

I hate these kinds of situations! Very scary!

I think this is primarily a handling problem with the filly, but it's really tough as she's not your horse so why should you be responsible for teaching her manners??!!! I would have a word with the YO, explain that it is getting dangerous for you and see if she can't come up with a better field arrangement, or talk to the filly's owner about getting her more handled.