Horse becoming dominant in the stable! Help!

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minkymoo

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I have had my boy for about 2 1/2 months, things have been fine up until the last week or so when he has become increasingly aggressive in the stable. Monday he turned and kicked me. Luckily he missed, but it was pretty scary as he is a big boy (16.2/3 Anglo-Arab). After he tried to kick me I shouted at him and gave him a wallop. Whilst I don't condone unnecessary smacking, he only missed me by about an inch!

He is turned out 7am and brought in at 3.30 pm. He shares a field with 3 smaller horses, 1 12 yo, 1 7yo and a rising 5 yo. I think that he has positioned himself as the boss of the field. the 12 yo is a bit of a loner and therefore not bothered, but I think that he bosses them all about and is now trying it on with me.

I am trying to make myself the boss of him, but even if I just ask him to turn his hindquarters in so I can get to my cupboard, he lays his ears flat and lowers his head at me, he tried this yesterday but I had a whip with me so I pointed it at him and said No loudly. Then he sulked in the corner.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can assert my authority with him and maybe anything I can do on the ground to show him that I am the boss and if I want him to move, he will!

I feel really disappointed, as I thought we were doing really well. I am a bit of a softie, but really didn't think that I was 'subordinate' so to speak so am a bit unsure as to where it has all stemmed from
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Thanks for getting this far!! Cookies all round!
 
Is there somebody else on your yard with horses - is he the same with them or has he just identified you as being a bit easy to push around?

The most likely explanation is that he is doing it because he can, and you need to re-establish some ground rules, however don't underestimate the effects of pain on temperament. If he is grumpy with everybody he might be trying to tell you something.
 
My mare is very like this in the stable and having tried everything in terms of telling her off, ignoring her, join up, teeth, tack etc I am now investigating the possibility of low grade back pain and have a chiro out today. She is nice as pie in the field and outside the stable though so I think I may have to resign myself to her just regarding that as her space. I tend to not handle her in there at all and tie her up outside to tack up and do rugs.
 
How old is the horse? I think they go through a phase when maturing and especially in a new home where they want to assert their authority and, if you say it's worked with his field mates then he probably thinks what the hell let's see if i can bully mum! My sister's horse has started getting a bit pushy when he is trying to nick hies pals tea, i stand between them but he has still tuied to shove his way through. I shove him, back and make him move out of MY way!

I think the trick is to make yourself appear bigger with your voice and body language. Now obviously you don't want to get yourself kicked in the stable so maybe a headcollar would help and get yourself in front of him and ask his to move back by holding your arms up. If he doesn't then physically puch his chest whilst saying 'back', if he still won't move then with a whip tap his lower legs to egt him to mvoe his lgs away from you. Once he has stepped back then praise him with you voice and stroking his neck (i wouldn't advise feed as this can bring up a whole lot more problems!). Once he has learnt to respect that when you say back you mean it with any luck he'll start listening and will see you as the dominant one.

Obviously if he is very dangerous with the kicking though get someone else to help you. I don't know if your horse is bargy or just turning his hindquarters straight away? If you say though he has already 'sulked' cos you shouted at him i think he will submit eventually and realsie who's the boss.

Oh and btw lowering the head with ears back can also be a sign of submission as far as I know.
 
He is 8 yo and we have been at our yard for about a month. It is a large part livery yard, though they are only turned out in small groups.

I have booked the physio for next week as I think this got worse when I would bring his saddle out. Now it is a new saddle & was professionally fitted, but his last one (that he came with) didn't fit at all and I think there may be a bit of a hangover from that. Once his saddle is on he is fine and works well, but he does seem to object to the sight of it.

I know lowering the head is supposed to be a sign of submission, but only if it accompanied by licking & chewing (as far as I know) this is def aggressive, not submitting to me at all!
 
What you describe I would generalise as the dominant behaviour of mares. I have personally only seen this type of behaviour in a mare (not to say geldings dont do it).

I would start with simple things outside of the stable as you are putting yourself in a vunerable position in the stable as if you horse decides to turn this into a battle he can easily win.

I would do a lot of ground work. Simply leading your horse and getting him to stand, walk on, stand etc. Then getting him to move away from you when you ask, walk backwards when you ask etc. This way you are building up a position of authority. Being all nice to him and giving him treats will just make it worse at this stage. I am not saying be horrible but you need to esablish good behaviour and praise him when he does it, rather than just condone the bad bad behaviour. He should learn quite quickly.

But horses do go through a phase of trying it on after you have had them a few weeks. This usually passes quickly but you do need to establish who is boss and how far they can push you in this time.
 
Mine is a bit grumpy in the stable too atm. I think whatever you do decide to do, you must remain consistent and whoever else is handling your horse on your yard must be the same. It isn't nice though is it? Mine is nice as pie outside of the stable. Funny little things, aren't they?!
 
You're right saskia295, it isn't nice, I feel really quite disappointed in both myself & him. I pride myself on being a firm but fair owner and I hate that this has happened.

I feel at a bit of a loss really, but I am determined that I will not let him boss me about. It seems to have happened so quickly and that is what I don't understand. Why now after I have had all the usual checks (OK, am getting physio done next weds). Especially as I posted how brilliant he was doing!

Pride comes before a fall and all that
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Blue Pipe!!

I find that new horses usually go through a phase of trying to boss you so i wouldn't worry you just need to establish some ground rules
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