Horse manners.

I

igglepop

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What are key manner you think a horse should have? I have just seen a comment on another post about people not knowing how to teach manner or at least knowing what to expect so was wonder what people think are key things horses should know.
 
When horses are being lead and you see the owners constantly attempting to yank them away from the nearest patch of grass :eek: I may be too touchy but I can't stand it when horses do that and pull you all over to get to where THEY want
 
Leading on a loose rope without barging, crossing in front, diving into verge... picking up feet nicely ... standing tied up ... stepping back when you open the door and not barging straight out ... standing still to be mounted .... moving back/sideways/forward upon first request ... etc.
 
Good manners to me mean that the horse is easy to handle. I expect a response to back, over etc, for physical strength or restraint not to be needed, or my space rudely invaded. As far as I'm concerned, it can do collected canter when I'm leading it, as long as it doesn't pull or barge. And mine can grab a mouthful while I do the gate, but not pull & stop immediately I say walk on. Standing still when tied, & really when loose & you are doing anything. Excellent manners are when they do it for you. My oldie does all sorts of little things. Like doing rugs when she's eating a feed, touch the chest straps & her head goes up for you, brush her nose, her head lowers, stand behind her with clippers, she squares up while you clip, muck out half her box & she automatically moves to it while you do the rest, not having to ask her to move over, or back, she's already there.
 
I won't disagree horserider, she is. And that's why she gets away with stuff I wouldn't dream of letting another horse do. Only prob has been that when daughter was a baby, everyone said I'd never find a first pony for her that lived up to her standards, & they were right.
 
elsiecat said:
When horses are being lead and you see the owners constantly attempting to yank them away from the nearest patch of grass :eek: I may be too touchy but I can't stand it when horses do that and pull you all over to get to where THEY want
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Too true, just bought a big cob that does exactly that. Took me totally by surprise the second day I had it and put me face first in the long grass I was leading it through.

Problem now fixed, amazing the numerous issues a bit of blue pipe can fix.

I think there are more injuries caused by by ill mannered horses than there are by falls from horses. Sadly many people have no idea how to teach manners because they have never had the pleasure of a well mannered horse to enjoy. 'if you haven't had it, you don't know what you are missing'
 
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