risky business
Well-Known Member
Hi guys, I haven't posted in a while but now in need of some advice.
I've got this horse and his behaviour is becoming a bit of an issue. Now he's always been a bit 'quirky' from what I know about him and I was fully prepared for some of these quirks to be on the undesirable side.
The issue is kicking, now the thing is with him is it's quite unpredictable in nature and doesn't happen everytime. I will say now this horse has had lameness work ups, bloods, xrays, saddle, teeth and back all looked at and I'm 100% convinced this is not a physical issue. Hes been on the same yard, same routine and same feed. No tack changes or herd changes.
I first noticed when hacking in company, one day out the blue like a bat out of hell he just kicked out at the horse next to him. At first I thought it may have been a one off incident but has since done it again with no warning what so ever and randomly. So from then on I always hacked at the back and not had an issue with that since.
The rest of the kicking behaviour is purely related to being asked to do something he clearly doesnt want to do! It's not always directed at someone either. So I can bring him into his stable and when hes decided he's done being inside he will kick out at walls or just into the air. There was a few incidents where the girls where trying to do his leg straps on his rug and just out of no where has kicked out even though he'd been having these straps done for weeks with no issue and again went weeks before doing it again. When hes being bathed which he doesn't enjoy so keep to a minimum will again kick out when he's decided he's done.
Just over a week ago brought him in I tacked him up in gear for me to long line and took him to the school. Stood there like a lamb whilst I sorted the lines out, I went to walk out and around him when out of no where he spun kicked out breaking my ribs before doing a runner around the school...
Today I turned him out and was doing his water at the front of his field. He then decided to go for a gallop round before running past me and kicking out as he went past! Now the kick was aimed in my direction but was not close enough to get me.
I just feel hes getting ridiculous now! I was willing with a few incidents to change a few things such as hacking at the back, keeping baths to a minimum and just being aware of him when handling. However the kicking out in my direction and actually getting me is too far now and I've slowly lost all trust in him and feel he's actually doing it to be naughty.
I know in his previous home he was basically pandered to, turned out first, bought in first, if he started a fuss was given what he wanted which has not helped in the slightest! I feel like this is where its stemmed from! Its really hard to correct the behaviour when it is just so random as well.
I've done things such as when he's in and decides he's done and wants out equalling in a tantrum just ignored the behaviour until he settles before rewarding the settled behaviour. Not turning out first or bring in first and ignoring any tantrums that ensue at him not getting his own way. It doesn't really seem to be improving however.. I'm just a bit stuck on where to go from here? I've done ground work with him where I get him to move his feet in directions I ask of him, desensitization of the back legs although I have no issues picking his feet out or grooming the back legs?! Just a bit stumped now as it needs dealing with before he hurts someone and quite frankly I'm getting tired of his tantrums and theres a growing number of liveries who would rather I just get shot of him.
Help?!
I've got this horse and his behaviour is becoming a bit of an issue. Now he's always been a bit 'quirky' from what I know about him and I was fully prepared for some of these quirks to be on the undesirable side.
The issue is kicking, now the thing is with him is it's quite unpredictable in nature and doesn't happen everytime. I will say now this horse has had lameness work ups, bloods, xrays, saddle, teeth and back all looked at and I'm 100% convinced this is not a physical issue. Hes been on the same yard, same routine and same feed. No tack changes or herd changes.
I first noticed when hacking in company, one day out the blue like a bat out of hell he just kicked out at the horse next to him. At first I thought it may have been a one off incident but has since done it again with no warning what so ever and randomly. So from then on I always hacked at the back and not had an issue with that since.
The rest of the kicking behaviour is purely related to being asked to do something he clearly doesnt want to do! It's not always directed at someone either. So I can bring him into his stable and when hes decided he's done being inside he will kick out at walls or just into the air. There was a few incidents where the girls where trying to do his leg straps on his rug and just out of no where has kicked out even though he'd been having these straps done for weeks with no issue and again went weeks before doing it again. When hes being bathed which he doesn't enjoy so keep to a minimum will again kick out when he's decided he's done.
Just over a week ago brought him in I tacked him up in gear for me to long line and took him to the school. Stood there like a lamb whilst I sorted the lines out, I went to walk out and around him when out of no where he spun kicked out breaking my ribs before doing a runner around the school...
Today I turned him out and was doing his water at the front of his field. He then decided to go for a gallop round before running past me and kicking out as he went past! Now the kick was aimed in my direction but was not close enough to get me.
I just feel hes getting ridiculous now! I was willing with a few incidents to change a few things such as hacking at the back, keeping baths to a minimum and just being aware of him when handling. However the kicking out in my direction and actually getting me is too far now and I've slowly lost all trust in him and feel he's actually doing it to be naughty.
I know in his previous home he was basically pandered to, turned out first, bought in first, if he started a fuss was given what he wanted which has not helped in the slightest! I feel like this is where its stemmed from! Its really hard to correct the behaviour when it is just so random as well.
I've done things such as when he's in and decides he's done and wants out equalling in a tantrum just ignored the behaviour until he settles before rewarding the settled behaviour. Not turning out first or bring in first and ignoring any tantrums that ensue at him not getting his own way. It doesn't really seem to be improving however.. I'm just a bit stuck on where to go from here? I've done ground work with him where I get him to move his feet in directions I ask of him, desensitization of the back legs although I have no issues picking his feet out or grooming the back legs?! Just a bit stumped now as it needs dealing with before he hurts someone and quite frankly I'm getting tired of his tantrums and theres a growing number of liveries who would rather I just get shot of him.
Help?!