Had an argument at the yard this morning - hate that place sometimes!

[jaysh]

Good grief reading this thread, I kept having to go back and check exactly what the OP had slightly shaken at her side to back the horse up with - I thought for a moment I'd misread and it was a rocket launcher or something.......!!

I think the other owner was far more to blame first and foremost for just standing like a numpty whilst her horses crowded a gateway that someone blatantly wanted to enter and secondly for being so darn rude!

lol, i have to agree!
Horses in a herd can be dangerous, they may be best of friends etc etc but they do have the odd falling out and horses arent as polite to each other as we might want them to be and accidents to humans happen . I would want all horses moved out of the way so im not going in amongst a herd small or otherwise, If the rude woman refused to help move her horse out the way then tough on her, i hardly think a small piece of carrier is anything to be worried about, your safety comes first!

 

[Cadfael&Coffee]

i'm not sure i understand the woman's problem...

if the horses are neither frightened nor smacked by said plastic bag, where's the problem?

i must be a horrible person- i whirl my leadrope at them if they won't move!!! (in circles, not to make contact btw!!)

 

[Snoozinsusan]

Tell her your next method is to use a super soaker

I did this with my friends gelding, with her blessing mind. Only took 2 goes to cure him of his gate hogging antics .

I like this! Fortunately I only have my own horses/ponies/mules/donkey(!!!!!!) in the fields so no-one else to complain about it. The worst offender at the gate is a Welshie who just barges and nips round the others when I'm trying to get one out of the field. The Super Soaker could be the answer!

I do find that a pen around the gate is invaluable.

 

[Lurky McLurker]

Surely if she has been trying to get them used to bags by waving them around on the end of a schooling whip, you are basically just helping with their bombproofing training?

i must be a horrible person- i whirl my leadrope at them if they won't move!!! (in circles, not to make contact btw!!)

I do this too (to horses I know well and know they won't react badly) and was mortified once when I accidentally smacked my horse in the face with it! He's a bit thick, I don't think he even noticed to be honest, but I felt very bad. At least it was my own horse and not someone elses!

 

[PoppyAnderson]

*Feels very smug that has moved self from DIY yard and the delights of horsey women such as this article*

 

[AndySpooner]

Sound like a training issue to me, the horses would probably benefit from some training too.

 

[Bills]

If she spoke to me like that i'd have flicked the bag at them again (just to annoy her) and then beaten her to death with it!!!!!!!!

 

[Jesstickle]

I do this too (to horses I know well and know they won't react badly) and was mortified once when I accidentally smacked my horse in the face with it! He's a bit thick, I don't think he even noticed to be honest, but I felt very bad. At least it was my own horse and not someone elses!

Hahaha. That is my horse to an absolute T. There is no way on God's earth he would notice if I accidentally flicked him with the rope

 

[pip6]

I wouldn't have been impressed at a stick or bag being waved at my horses, but then I'd have been offering to move them for you if they did that., then ashamed they did & start immediately training them not to. As a (hopefully) reasonable person, I'd be much happier to be told if someone was having an issue so I could deal with it for them. There is no reason why you should have been put in this potentially dangerous situation. Whilst I'm not sure why you didn't ask her to move them if she was there (that's me, unsubtle), it is also incredibly bad manners of her not to offer to help. I love the supersoaker approach.

 

[CBFan]

Good grief reading this thread, I kept having to go back and check exactly what the OP had slightly shaken at her side to back the horse up with - I thought for a moment I'd misread and it was a rocket launcher or something.......!!

A slight shake of a plastic bag and stick should not send a horse into space, get its attention yes and I wouldn't have a problem with anyone doing that with mine.

In fact what has irritated me far far more over the years has been pathetic individuals who moan they can't get their horses out past my dominant mare - who does have manners, just chooses to play people, yet won't get a bit dominant with her and listen to my instructions on how to show her that her manners are required, but insist on feeding her treats so she thinks they are "nice" people, always move out of her way so allowing her to think that is OK and then moan like mad when she instantly spots them and follows them to the gate and stands waiting patiently in top spot!!

Its why I'm so thankful I have a field to myself nowadays with just my two in! I can insist to stands to the hinge end of the gate with just a look to get my 2 year out and the 2 year also knows to stand back as well if the roles are reversed.

I think the other owner was far more to blame first and foremost for just standing like a numpty whilst her horses crowded a gateway that someone blatantly wanted to enter and secondly for being so darn rude!

THIS ^^^ COMPLETELY Hits the nail on the head! I can't understand why other people aproach horses other than their own in the field to 'say hello!' it just encourages attention seeking behaviour! Even mine know's to stay away from me unless I say hello - don't get me wrong, he will aproach me but won't bother me and if I'm busy with something else, he gets bored and wanders off.

If anyone had a problem with my horse at the gateway, I'd fully expect them to use any means necessary for dealing with him. Bar beating him up. Having had the pain and inconvenience of a broken arm due to an in hand incident I take safety very seriously and I am not going to lead my horse into a situation which could risk that to him or me, and I wouldn't expect anyone else to either. I can't see whats wrong with that.

As for the gate location etc. the gate is in the corner of the field with the hinge in the corner. it isn't even a 90 degree corner.. its more like 75... the gate opens into the field. It was recently changed from opening out which was actually easier for getting horses in and out. The gate set up is not ideal but try telling farmer that! Yes, putting a coral up around the gate is a great idea but Y/O will not allow it .