Is anyone else's horse 'just grumpy'?

My welsh a is grumpy. He's had a rough life before I got him so its understandable. He isn't nasty pony, he whinnies at me down the yard, ear pricked, he just really doesn't like cuddles! He can be quite defensive with new people, and very mouthy (he was cut late so does exhibit quite a few stallion-like behaviours), and quite food possessive.

So definitely not a kids pony despite his looks! Having said that he is a happy pony, chilled in the stable, happy to go showing, not nasty to other horses, but VERY welsh and can be a grumpy git most of the time. Good thing I love him and he's not going anywhere!

Luckily, my other pony is a delight, good natured and friendly to everyone!
 
Yeah my horse is just grumpy, ive owned him five years and he has always been like that!
He is just reluctant to do anything cuddly or fun. but i love him the way he is
 
My cob is not what I would call grumpybut he is not at all cuddly. He is friendly but apart from a pat on the neck he is not that bothered by fuss. He would much rather just be fed! :-)
 
PS: just re read some of the threads you guys cracked me up when you were telling me about some of your grumpy horse stories. Haha, really cheered me up and glad to know I'm not alone :)
 
I've had tremendous success with clicker training my grumpy and extremely uncooperative horse. I had got to the stage, after 18 months, of thinking he might have ulcers or something. In desperation (he wasn't exhibiting any signs of ill health) I bought a clicker, read a couple of books, watched stuff on youtube and after a few months, I now have a horse I can brush all over without nasty faces or tail swishing, he'll pick his feet up on command, be nice to people over the stable door, lower his head on command, stand still for his saddle to be put on/girthed up, without him being tied up at all, and will stand still for mounting and stay still till I tell him to move. I would never in a million years have believed that if I'd been told that was possible the end of Jan 2013...
please feel free to PM me if you need any tips!

oh, and I can cuddle him now :)
 
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Waffles said:
I've had tremendous success with clicker training my grumpy and extremely uncooperative horse. I had got to the stage, after 18 months, of thinking he might have ulcers or something. In desperation (he wasn't exhibiting any signs of ill health) I bought a clicker, read a couple of books, watched stuff on youtube and after a few months, I now have a horse I can brush all over without nasty faces or tail swishing, he'll pick his feet up on command, be nice to people over the stable door, lower his head on command, stand still for his saddle to be put on/girthed up, without him being tied up at all, and will stand still for mounting and stay still till I tell him to move. I would never in a million years have believed that if I'd been told that was possible the end of Jan 2013...
please feel free to PM me if you need any tips!

oh, and I can cuddle him now :)
Click to expand...

I was following your progress with him on fb and was inspired to try it too, after reading how well it was working for you both..with great results....so thanks for that! ;)
 
Our home bred is a grump in that she hates people in her space unless they are there to feed her or entertain (i.e. ride) her. She pins her ears back, threatens to bite and lifts her leg as if to kick but won't actually do so. Once she's been ridden, she's fine & more than happy to be bathed, groomed etc. We just ignore the grumpiness & get on and ride ASAP.
 
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