Dealing with an ill mannered pony that isn't yours

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HaffiesRock

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I have read a couple of threads recently about other peoples horses being difficult and I have come across a situation in the last day and would like your opinions.

My pony has just moved into a field with a little Sec A. The pony is very in your face, hyper, nippy, swings his bum on you, ears are always back and generally rude towards people. Apparently you have to be careful while in the field as he can charge at you, mug you for food, you get the idea.

So how do I deal with this? If it was my pony I'd be standing up to him (he's only about 11.2hh!), not allowing him in my space at all, not allowing him in my pockets etc and generally teaching him that I am above him and he stays out of my way.

He isn't mine so I don't want the owner being annoyed with me, but at the same time I need to be safe and able to be in the field to poo pick/ragwort/do waters and get my pony. I will never hit the pony but I will be very firm with him. I would be more than happy for others to do the same with my pony if he ever behaved in the same way.

What would you all do? I think safety first on my part and the pony needs some manners, but I know some owners can be very precious!

Thanks all
 
I would treat the pony in the same way I would treat my own were he to behave in such a manner. I would expect others to do the same with my horses, especially my youngster
 
My safety comes first if my horse or anyone elses puts that in danger I will protect myself in anyway that seems fit stuff the owner imo
 
I tend to flick leadropes to shoo them off and keep them at a distance. Majority listen and give up, then means you don't have to deal with bad manners / being barged / etc.
 
I think his owner is a little scared of him. He is only tiny and I honestly think a couple of big shoes away will be all it takes for him to get the message. I'm not scared of him and maybe showing him that will mean he leaves me in peace :D
 
I deal with a horse like this every day. He is 17.2 thou. Bites, mugs you for treats etc. I have started to reprimand him as even thou he isn't mine, I have to change his rugs etc and I don't appreciate being bitten or having my pony tail grabbed!
 
Mine was in a field with a great big lad like this a few years back , it became a nightmare at bringing in time etc as we were DIY at weekends. I would behave with him as you would your own and explain this to the owner. If she is unhappy then it may be best if she moves paddocks or similar.
 
whip??

id take a schooling whip in but be careful....mine would turn round and boot you if you took a whip to her, so swoosh with caution!
 
Could you maybe talk to the owner to forestall any misunderstandings and resulting owner grumpiness?
Tell her that his behaviour is quite rude with you in the field and explain the measures you will take to protect yourself stressing that you will not be using any violence at all towards her little darling (menace) ;)
 
I would put a wipwop or slim rope around your wrist or clipped to a belt loop, which you can use to shoo the pony away, but still leave your hands free to get on with your jobs in the field. It might also reassure the owner that you are not going to beat their pony, but are trying to keep yourself safe if he gets a bit "boisterous".
 
I would not put up with it from my horse and I would treat the horse the same way I would treat mine if they needed it. The animal needs to be taught some respect and that the behavior is not on. Might be worth having a world with the owner to let them know what is happening when you go in the field.
 
A friends 16hh spoilt 7 yr old ex racehorse that has no respect for her or anyone else, she gets it to move between fields and to the stable with food, well it met me.

Now i adore horses and will not hurt them with whips etc, but when this horse went for my cob who was just saying hello, sniffing noses, i saw red, i took the lead rope from my horses headcollar and belted this horse so hard over the fence, you know what i never had another problem with him, i could walk through the field with food and it didnt barge me, if i growled it took a step back, the owner couldnt understand how this was, well i never told her, but i think i turned him into a better horse.

It usually only needs to happen once, horses are not stupid and get the message, but you have got to mean it otherwise they know you are pissing about.
 
It would get treated the same as mine would or that behaviour, roared at and chased the length of the field with me in hot pursuit!!

I don't take bad manners from horses or any animal or that matter.
 
He was a bit in my face tonight to the point I couldn't get in the field gate (3 strings of electric) eventually got in a swung my rope at him and flicked him with fence (it wasnt on) and he swung his bum at me so I shouted NO in a very firm voice and he backed off. I was just getting my pony out the field and the owner came down with some feed to distract him. She seemed quite impressed i'd got mine out no trouble and said theres no messing with you! :) Took him back a couple of hours later and one shoe and the pony stood back and still until id let pony loose and shut the gate.

Hopefully that will be that.

Thanks all x
 
I have found that twirling a lead rope around above my head or to one side whilst marching towards the horse is a very effective way of keeping horses in a field out of my space, they tend to stop in their tracks and look puzzelled.
 
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