IMPROVING GROUND MANNERS- please help!!

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horses99

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First of all no nasty comments please just seeking advise. I have owned several horses and am fairly knowledgable just haven't had horses that are poor on the ground. I am considering buying a horse as I like her and she is lovely to ride in all aspects other than being green but on the ground:
. She is impatient will paw the ground nudge you or push you to get past you and I have seen her stand on someone's foot due to this
. She gets bored and can bite the stable out of bordem not want to stand still or try and walk off
. Worst still you cannot hold up/ pick up her hind legs as she will swipe them out the way which could result in kicking hurting you the only way I believe would to be to use a scarf or something to loop round them at this stage
. She is generally a pushy pig as such just wants her own way impatient and doesn't care about you

However, she is a dream to ride and she is not nasty or dangerous she won't bite or deliberately kick you she just has a lack of respect. I am interest to see what those think who have similar experiences.

Currently I was thinking that repetitive and firm handling would help as previously her owner let her get away with it. But maybe there are particular techniques people know? Currently she is stabled almost 24/7 on a busy yard and I would have her in full time grazing which I believe could help her a lot with another companion. I have lots of time to give just not sure how large of a challenge this could be. Apologies for being long, any useful stories or comments would be very appreciated
 
Agree with Jill on this. Often these sorts need to have someone tell them what to do and they don't take a huge amount of training to really improve. It would be best to get direct instruction from someone who sees and handles the horse, as above.

Pushing into your space is not good. It is the boss horse that moves the feet of the others, so always remember this.

Nice that the horse is good to ride.
 
As above, you need a horsemanship trainer to help you. I have done a lot with trainers and am now happy to teach my own. It's so easy when you know how. It's all about getting them to step back out of your space. I helped a friend recently with her very bolshy mare who would just walking into you with her shoulder so she could go where she wanted to. Just 10 minutes a day with a halter and 12 foot line and sending her back out of your way soon stopped it and she hasn't done it since, but you have to keep it up with your daily handling, but mine all move out of my way with just a point of the finger now - it's well worth the time and effort. Hope you can find someone nearby to help you.
 
She sounds perfectly "normal" to me, a horse confined to a stable almost 24 hours a day will become fractious if not handled appropriately, unless there is a physical issue causing the hind legs to be uncomfortable, vetting would be essential before purchase of this one to my mind as you know there is a potential problem, then it should be easy enough to deal with and I expect turned out 24/7 she may well be a different happier horse within a couple of weeks.
I would not be getting hung up on it, I have had bolshy horses here that become totally different with proper turn out, plenty of work, less feed and a firm but fair approach.
 
be positive said:
She sounds perfectly "normal" to me, a horse confined to a stable almost 24 hours a day will become fractious if not handled appropriately, unless there is a physical issue causing the hind legs to be uncomfortable, vetting would be essential before purchase of this one to my mind as you know there is a potential problem, then it should be easy enough to deal with and I expect turned out 24/7 she may well be a different happier horse within a couple of weeks.
I would not be getting hung up on it, I have had bolshy horses here that become totally different with proper turn out, plenty of work, less feed and a firm but fair approach.
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This precisely.
Turn it out. Work it harder. Feed it less. Be black and white in your handling and I doubt you will have a problem for long.
 
She is underweight at the moment so although il feed her less she will be grazing a lot lot more thanks for all comments.
 
horses99 said:
Currently I was thinking that repetitive and firm handling would help as previously her owner let her get away with it. But maybe there are particular techniques people know? Currently she is stabled almost 24/7 on a busy yard and I would have her in full time grazing which I believe could help her a lot with another companion. I have lots of time to give just not sure how large of a challenge this could be. Apologies for being long, any useful stories or comments would be very appreciated
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I think you'd see a great change from this alone, turnout and firm consistent handling will do a hell of a lot for a badly mannered horse
 
Whilst not disagreeing with more turnout i'd also look for ulcers, and feed an ulcer friendly diet. A horse showing stress behaviour and being kept stabled may have developed them.
 
I think constant turnout will really help, as well as constant handling. I'm a big believer in ignoring the bad providing it isn't going to cause anyone any harm. My 'newer' girl constantly scraped when stood tied on the yard and wouldn't settle, but will now stand and doze. You need to get into a good routine and also be understanding as well as firm. My horses both have excellent manners, and they will be told off if they've ever needed it, but I'm very fair and will never 'discipline' unnecessarily.
 
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