Is your horse a shover and how do you deal with it?!?!

[Len]

Hi guys,
I have quite an opinionated sometimes moody mare - shes good under saddle but has issues with her manners. I have worked on her prob with being tied, having her feet picked up, head rubbing on you to name a few and all seem to be improving.
One prob which isnt getting and better and I am not sure how to deal with is shoving. She will try to shove you if you are standing outside her door and if I am tacking her up and shes tied she will try to shove me as I am bridling and saddling her. It seems to be pure temper - at the moment I am using my voice which she responds well to but it isnt deteering her totally - I have also begun putting the flat of my hand on her face and pushing her head away - Its a really annoying habit and very embarrassing if she does it to other people.

I have read that its a game to them and they try to unbalance you so if I see it coming I will stick my arm out so she doesnt reach me etc but its not always easy and she often catches me off guard.


Any ideas please?!?!?!

 

[Firehorse]

my mare used to that a lot when i first got her. its their way of communicating with each other. only a horse in a dominant position wud push another, so she's seeing u as an inferior herd member. i've done a lot of groundwork with mine in a dually, teaching her tor espect my space. mainly backing up, not letting her put her head down to graze, teaching her to lead at my pace, and pushing her head away if she does do it. she's is 90% better now, and will only do it on occassions, if the mood takes her to try it on or if i'm not paying attention! i've even taught her to step back out the way while i hang her feed bucket up and then she will only step fwd to eat when i move out the way. its all about respect!

 

[Nudibranch]

Mine was when I first got her - a swift smack across the chest when she tried to run over me, then some groundwork to teach her some manners sorted her out.

A mare wouldn't stand it from a foal - you need to be firm and deal with it as soon as it happens. I think it's one of the easier problems to cure - good luck!

 

[Hippona]

Sharp jab with fingers into her chest......or nip her in this area and only release when she steps back......this really works, I promise you......its how mares teach foals....

 

[Ezme]

It seems every new horse we get has an issue with ground manners (they're all heavy horses and most people don't seem to realise dopes on a rope are made not born and a heavy needs alot of discipline early in life) The all get a smack across the nose/chest and taught to walk a respectful distance from me. I make them walk a little further away than most if i'm honest because they're prone to tripping and I've been caught by a flying leg and stood on before. Oh a good tip is chuck the BHS walking by the shoulder, its a submissive position, especially for a mare as its where a foal would walk.

Some basic ground exersizes would help, like making a little maze/ L with poles and back/manuver her through them. This all helped with our lads appart from bumble who was a joy to lead and handle in every way appart from when putting to he would put his nose on your sternman them shuve you normally winding you in the process!

 

[rema]

Have you thought about Parelli with your horse?.

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

Popcorn time!!!!!


Sorry! my mare does this sometimes and she gets a dig with my elbow if she pushes me from behind, a smack on the bottom if she swings her butt round while I'm there and I push her head away if she gets too heavy handed with the cuddles. I never ever smack her around the head or on the nose though as she can be quite head shy. Just be firm and consistant

 

[Tia]

[ QUOTE ]
Have you thought about Parelli with your horse?.

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh Rema, you are soo naughty!

Totally agree with everything everyone else is suggesting. No way would I put up with this nonsense from any of the horses here, and most definitely not from one of mine! The nipping of the chest works well and make the horse step back before releasing.

Tackling bad manners is something that every owner should make a priority and good on you for heading in the right direction. I am lucky in that I have a number of herds available to me so I can use other horses to help instill these manners ... however do not be under the impression that you cannot do it, because you can; easily with a bit of time, patience and consistency.