How do you cope with your horse being the naughty one?

Paint Me Proud

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 October 2010
Messages
4,166
Visit site
It seems that Chico is the yards 'naughty' horse in that he is so friendly, inquisitive and cheeky that he is causing some problems for other liveries getting their horses in and out from the field. Also he gets excited to go out in the morning and can take the piss a bit with other people (not with me).

I like Chico how he is, i like some spirit in my horses, but always feel responsible when he is being a pest.

How do you all deal with it if your horse is the 'naughty' one?
 
I have that with mine and unfortunately the other people on the yard are quite novicey so he is seen as the "horrible" one - when he's really not :( He is just capable of more than their donkey look alikes hack out once a week types. It does annoy me if I'm honest, when they are twisting everything he does into some sort of pain in the arse demon pony act! He's just not boring and has a bit of spark. I just put my head down, ignore it and tell myself if they are decent horsey people they won't mind and would appreciate his character, and if they are not so competent and find him a nuisance it can be their problem not mine.

The only thing he does that's different is keep his ears pricked the whole time and trot around the field when something interests him. grrrr.
 
One of mine was always the naughty one. My only answer was to get my own place, even though it can be a bit embarassing that I am supposed to be the knowledgable experienced yard owner and one of my horses can be really naughty. Like you, I love her that way, wouldn't have it any other way. It's her character. But obviously, it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea! Not a problem if you are doing the handling, but can be if you expect others to put up with it too. I separated my horses from the others so that no one was forced to deal with her mischief, only me. I would be worried if she was interfering with people trying to get their horses out as this can be very dangerous, even if the horse is only being playful.
 
My boy was the naughty one for over a year, he's calmed down a lot with age (was only 3 when classed as demon horse!) All he did was follow the others about, try and make them play and try to establish who was the dominant horse in the field, but apparently this was dangerous and he was evil and had to be kept in a field by himself for over a year!

The other horse who he clashed with most has now moved, and he's a quiet, happy little guy who causes no trouble at all, but noone was willing to let horses be horses :(
 
Mine is the 'naughty one' as she refuses to stay in the right field. She jumps out and goes where she pleases. I have tried everything I can think of and just can't keep her in. I know the Yard Owner isn't keen on her and doesn't trust her, but it's only me and one other person that handle my two. Hey ho!
 
at my last yard, a friend of ours house where w were the only liveries mine was the naughty one :S

she was only 2 rising three at the time and she lived out all summer 24/7 with my sisters horse who although bad to catch when she was in season was well behaved at other times mainly due to her being quite a 'reserved' horse and the YO's horse who being very elderly was no problem at all, and almost every day i'd come to the yard to find shed broken more fencing! she wasn'y naughty she never kicked or barged but she was forever breakig fencing!! shes the sort of 'the grass is always greener' type and always wanted to be in another field wether it was going under over or through fencing! nothing kept her in and it got quite embarassing when my YO's partner had to keep putting the fence back to gether, of course once y little monkey ad broken the fencing the other two would stay in the field where they were ment to be and act like little angels so it was clear who was the culprate (sp?) when she came to work with me on th event yard i was an incredibly cruel mother and turned her out naked at the end of october and let her zap herself a number of times on the electrc fencing. the result of this was that i couldnt get her out of the field for a couple of days as she wouldnt go near the fence :D problem solved!! she is now as good as gold and has only swapped fields once in three months!!
 
Both of mine are labelled the 'norty ponies' on my yard.....justified in one case and not in the other! I cope by having them in a field together with no others, and doing the vast majority of stuff by myself, as their behaviour doesn't really scare me.....it annoys me on occasion, but I can cope with them. I have a couple of very trustworthy friends who can help out if needed, but I plan my days out / holidays around their availability!

Ironically, most people choose to brand the 17.2 TB as unhandleable, when, in reality he does have some issues, and will spook if scared, but is the most genuine, gentle and kind horse. My 16.1 Paint horse is truly naughty and will take advantage at the drop of a hat, relishing in winding up anyone else....he's too intelligent for his own good - guess which one most people would choose to handle?!
 
mine is affectionately known as thug at the moment. He broke the school fence and escaped into another field recently and after going down to our big field came in feeling fresher than he had when turned out managing to kick out at a passing cyclist. Luckily he missed but very few people want to handle my horse. He is just very cheeky and has a larger than life personality which worries alot of people. It can be a major drawback when I have to work and find it hard to get someone willing to bring him in or put him out other than the YO. To be fair once people get to know him and he starts to trust them he is fine and people tend to laugh about his antics. I haven't yet had anyone actually complain about him other than in jest anyway!
 
Chico isnt hard to handle at all, he has actually got really nice manners and listens well....however...when he is excited he throws his head in circles (just like his dam used to) and does little excited steps but doesnt pull on you or anything. I think alot of people find the head throwing unnerving and i dont blame them at all. I know him inside out and can predict what he will do before he does it but others obviously cant and some times they get caught off guard by a playful nudge or head toss etc.

Chico is still only 5 years though so i am sure he will grow out of his cheeky stage!! :D:D
 
Top