Gelding riding too close causing mare to buck and kick

[NaughtyNative]

My daughters gelding has been riding right up behind my mare almost leaning on her behind, she bucks and kicks he isn’t deterred and my daughter struggles to keep him away as he naps if she tries to get him to move away ..is there something I could put on my mares tail possibly something smelly to try and stop this behaviour ...

 

[AmyMay]

Nope. He needs to be ridden more assertively. It’s up to the rider to determine how close or otherwise a horse is to its companion.

In this instance put the gelding in front.

 

[Bellaboo18]

I must admit I find your post oddly worded, the gelding isnt riding up behind your mare your daughter is the one riding him. It sounds like she's not in control? Can she not ride him in front?

 

[Shay]

Echo both that. It isn't safe for your daughter to ride him like that. If your mare kicks out it is no blame to her. But if she caught your daughter on the leg, or worse the head, the results would be catastrophic. If your daughter is not able to control his speed and proximinty to other horses then both need a bit more instruction I'm afraid. It does the gelding no good to feel he can always get away with things either!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Put your daughter in front, which is the safer place for a child to ride anyway, as you can see what is happening all the time and call instructions about how to deal with traffic etc.

 

[NaughtyNative]

My daughter is a very competent rider,not a child but an adult, her gelding regularly competes,hacks alone and in company and with other mares and she has no issues with him,perhaps I did wrongly word the question ,this is a new mare I have and he seems infatuated ,my daughter rides him forward but hes napping ,walking backwards to get behind my mare,we are experienced owners/riders so all the scenarios and suggestions have been tried..

 

[JFTDWS]

If you're that experienced, why ask on a forum of unknown people? Why not a pay a professional of your choice to advise you in person who can see the horse and its behaviour (and, indeed, your riding) and give appropriate advice?

 

[LaurenBay]

If your'e daughter is very experienced then make her go in front. problem solved.

 

[AmyMay]

It’s obviously a problem you’re both going to have work through, with some very strong riding from your daughter.