How do you handle a horse that is constantly testing the boundaries?

[Ziggy_]

As the title really.

My mare has always been very argumentative and dominant, both on the ground and under saddle. I have tried all the usual methods, backing her out of my space etc etc to teach her manners and while it works for a day, the next day I find myself having to remind her of her manners again. If anyone new handles her you can guarantee she will take advantage straight away - I can't remember the last time anyone else managed to do something as simple as turning her out incident-free

Needless to say people generally offer to help out with her once, and never again!

As I said above I would usually back her away from me quite firmly when she gets too close to me - although you have to be careful how you get her to back off as if you are too agressive, if you were to hit her for example, she will run blindly over the top of you.

She is turned out in a herd with some others who are more dominant than her, and she doesn't respect them either - she has a telling off, avoids them for a bit then a few hours later she's trying it on again.

I know to some extent it is probably just her nature but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or experiences that could help? I don't like having to tell her off every time I handle her.

I should probably also add she is 12 this summer, and I will have had her for two years in August. She isn't always naughty to handle ( I wouldn't have put up with it for 18 months if she was!!) but she's always looking for ways to take advantage, and its getting rather tiresome.

Help!

 

[arwenplusone]

In my honest opinion, I think some horses ARE like this, particularly the more testy type of mare (and I have owned a few!)

You have to make damn sure you do not show any chink of weakness or she will be right on in there. Unfortunatley this is hard work! I would carry on with strong discipline & lots of work.

The one advantage is that if you can get her to work with you, rather than against you, you will probably have a superstar.

Frustrating though

 

[clairefeekerry1]

you are NOT alone... trust me!! i know its hard but with mine as soon as she detects i'm losing my temper/patience she has the upper hand. when their out in herds the lead horse never loses its temper... usually just a quick bite or kick and the other horse backs down. so i try to make sure i dont lose my temper and let it descend into a screaming match, i just keep doing my thing (quick tug/smack/back up) dont make a big thing out of it and carry on what i was plannng to do. i know its really really hard but you must continue in a firm but calm and consistant way!!! easy for me to say... not!!!

 

[Ziggy_]

Oh rats... I was hoping everyone would say 'you are doing it all wrong!' and give me a miracle solution!

She used to be the same ridden - we have more or less sorted the ridden issues and she is a fab ride - but I do find on the days when she is 'challenging' me on the ground she will try to take the pee when I ride as well and I end up going home absolutely fed up and peed off. Its so frustrating

 

[Pixxie]

sounds daft i know and before you judge me on this, please note i am NOT a natural horsemanship nut lol, but ive been doing lots of groundwork with my boy recently (for different reasons mainly but also to teach him some manners) and i have found a Dually halter so unbelievably effective and i would never have thought of using one until i was made to lol. it has done wonders and he has come on a lot. and they are very effective so long as they are used correctly.

Good Luck, and keep us posted

xx

 

[clairefeekerry1]

no your not a nut... i wouldn't even bother leading mine in without a dually headcollar, saves me wrapping rope round nose!!

 

[Flame_]

I have a 13.2 mare that is like that. She's always been that way and tbh its made me never really warm to her. She's about 25/26 years old now and you still have to move or she'll knock you over.

I suppose you do have to consistently try to correct them, if only to keep them from getting worse. But IME, it does go in one ear and out the other and my pony's still bl**dy rude and she's not going to change now.

Maybe there's still hope for yours.

 

[Maesfen]

I'll put the cat amongst the pigeons and ask if she is a warmblood?
It sounds just like all the warmbloods I have known who have all, without exception, been as thick as planks and had to be taught simple things time after time! They never seemed to learn anything, I was glad to see the back of them!
Sorry, that's not the spark of inspiration you wanted is it?!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Have you tried one of the Happy Mare supplements. That's not what they're called but I'm sure you know the sort of products I mean!

 

[spotsmum]

I have a chestnut warmblood mare the same. Although she is fine riding wise, just does good bruce lee impressions when handling! She has got better ober the years(6) but still tests me. I find she is better with just me handling her, and you have to be consistent but fair. She is the same, no point in getting into a fight, she justs gets madder and more stubborn. Keep at it, she will gain a certain amount of respect eventually,sounds like she is getting there with riding. I call mine ginger ninja!

 

[Thistle]

I have a welsh x TB gelding like this. I bred him so know he has always been handled firmly and consistently with clear boundaries. Trouble is you have to reaffirm his boundaries every day - he just doesn't get it.

My farrier says he (the horse) has ADHD (attention deficiet)

The horse will be 10 this year and it's still like dealing with a bolshy youngster. In reality I suppose he is better than he used to be, but he will still try it on.

 

[Shilasdair]

I suppose to some extent my Tb mare could be like this, if I let her. She is very dominant, can be incredibly stubborn, and when I bought her rising 5yr old, had not been taught to lead, or been handled fully.
I am afraid she tried it on, and on, and on. For example, when led in hand (to the field) she'd either plant, or rear, either way bad news. Under saddle, she would nap, reverse and eventually reared me off, so I was landed on the ground upright, with both stirrups still on my feet.
That was the turning point. I thought 'Fcuk you - you ARE going to do what I want!' and got on her with attitude. We had a stand up fight (I should have sold tickets) culminating in me giving her some good hard smacks. I won.
Since that day, she's been polite, respectful, great in fact. She's got the brains to take care of us both on the roads (is unfazed by trains, lorries, whatever) and enjoys her work.
Maybe you just need to sort out with your mare that you are dominant to her, have that one fight to establish your ranking as she doesn't sound convinced that she is below you in hierarchy.
Also, remember to reward her for the good behaviour...I respect my mare and let her make some choices about things too...I used to let her pick our hack route some days, for example.
Good luck.
S

 

[MrsMozart]

Horses, as you've found with your mare, test each day for the leader of the herd. Just keep at it, or have a showdown as Shils says.

My last instructor told me, when I had last mare, I had to win the little battles or there was one day going to be one mighty war between me and mare. We had a few 'interesting' sessions, until one day I just let her know I'd had enough (she survived unmarked

). After that, whilst she would question me, she would do as I asked and go anywhere I asked as well as follow me, she'd still be a mare to others though!

 

[Araminta]

[ QUOTE ]
I have a welsh x TB gelding like this. I bred him so know he has always been handled firmly and consistently with clear boundaries. Trouble is you have to reaffirm his boundaries every day - he just doesn't get it.

My farrier says he (the horse) has ADHD (attention deficiet)

The horse will be 10 this year and it's still like dealing with a bolshy youngster. In reality I suppose he is better than he used to be, but he will still try it on.

[/ QUOTE ]



In a horses world leadership is tested every day so its not that he doesn't get it - he gets it only too well