My horse did an odd thing when I caught him today

maletto

maletto

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So I went to get B out of the field. I walked up to the top of the hill (as usual, lazy b*gger) and waved a polo at him. As usual, he came the last couple of strides to meet me.

I gave him a little scratch on the neck and a rub on the face and popped the headcollar on him. All completely as I do usually.

I asked him to walk forward and he didn't budge so I stood alongside his shoulder and asked again. Again, no response, so I twirled the leadrope behind me (as I would have done any other time!) and he did an almighty cow kick with the hind nearest me.

He did this last week too but I didn't think much of it then but as it's happened again I'm a bit concerned. Sometimes the smaller girls on the yard bring him in and I don't want to end up sued because he's booted someone.

Any ideas?
 
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hi, he doesnt want to come in, he resents the flick of the leadrope and is saying no get lost! it could be that he may have got his own way with the other girls or he could simply be pushing the boundaries, regardless of his age! xx
 
have you seen how these younger girls bring him in? have they changed the routine you and your horse have? do they give polos when hes got headcollar on or before it goes on? Do they wave the rope at him?
But if hes done this before Id seriously think about stopping them from bringing him in just in case he does hurt someone.
 
Dont straight away assume its your horse thats in the wrong maybe they are doing something he doesnt like and this reaction is a result or maybe he is taking the p but have an open mind and investigate.:)
 
Sorry - I didn't explain that very well! he is barely ever brought in by the younger girls, but I'd be more worried about them bringing him in than the YO or my sharer (the only two people who normally do bring him in).

Hardly anything about his routine has changed to be honest. He demolished the electric fencing that was separating him from the other two boys a few (3? 4? not sure) weeks ago and since then has been with the others so maybe he's enjoying his new gang?!
 
sounds like he is feeling his feet, needs to be reminded that you are his leader 'gently'. It would appear he is trying his luck, My baby has suddenly reached the teenage years - god i wlll never have kids!
 
Thanks for all your replies guys. Just bumping for the morning people!

He's 16 if that makes a difference - so should be well past his teenage years!!

He has been living out full time all summer (and is still out full time) having previously been in at night/out in the day for as long as i've had him (8 years)
 
if hes with a new herd thats likely his problem...

not quite the same but my horse changed yards and was fine for the first week where she was the outcast... but as soon as they let her in the herd she just wouldnt come near me and completely followed the herd. (woudlnt be caught)....

so to me id assume its because he just dosent want to come in?!
 
you say he is now out with more horses??

So he has had to re establish herd politics, so he is trying the same with you. He has probably been able to intimidate one of the new horses and now thinks it will work with you too.

My old gelding did the same once, he had always been the underdog in the field, then one day another horse was introduced and suddenly he moved up one place in the herd. It gave him ideas above his station :D It was actually quite funny cos as soon as you stood up to him again he would wibble
 
He's sort of out with more horses. The three of them have always been together in the same field but B was in a bit sectioned off by electric fencing - he could reach over the fence and touch the others but now he is just right there in with them.

I will have to be sterner with him I guess and not such a pushover!!
 
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