New bloke on the forum with a fidgety horse!

C

cheekystallion

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13 May 2007
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Hi all, you seem like a cheerful bunch. Just thought I would introduce myself...

Male (not many of us about!) 30 years old from Rochester in Kent. My buddy is Norman, 17.2hh ID, 11 this year, I have owned him since October last year. Only been riding since March last year so go easy on me, I may ask some dense questions sometimes, as you probably think this one will be...

Norman has always been a fidget when grooming, but over the last few weeks he has become a complete pain in the bum. He just will not stand still, spent most of yesterday trying to defluff his rear end with him following me round in circles. We must be the only pair that have to change rein during grooming!

Anyway, anybody have any ideas why he is doing this and how I can communicate with him better in order to stop it? He is not in any discomfort of any sort, I just dont think he likes being brushed!

Any help greatly appreciated
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Chris & Norman
 
Hi Chris

Welcome to the forum
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In answer to your Q I would just tie him up! Everytime I try to put Boris' tail guard on he tries to squash me against the wall and crap on me, so u r not alone in the awkward horsey stakes
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Hi & welcome!

Mine dislikes being groomed - but it is brush dependent! He will not tolerate a body brush or dandy brush. He doesn't mind a jelly brush (rubber) and will just about tolerate a dusting brush - but he has sensitive thin skin (TB) and he reacts aggressively whereas yours seems just fidgety from your post.

If I ignore mine when he is fidgety, he tends to get bored & stands still after a while!
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I will try that, thanks. I hope I'm wrong in thinking I know what will happen! I have heard the phrase "give up" a few times - maybe thats where I'm going wrong, giving up before he does???
 
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Have your tried tying him up on a long line?

Then even if he does move he can't go anywhere and will hopefully just give up and stand there?!

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We have to do this with our pony...the shorter you tie her up the more she messes about(and the more determined her efforts to free herself become!!). Leave her on a fairly long rope and she will stand still......eventually.
 
Hiya cheekystallion and welcome.

I echo what the others say. Sounds like he is maybe taking the wee a little bit.

Tie him up with a haynet and use a softer brush. Dont try to spend too long over it so he gets fed up. Do say 5 mins then give him a pat and leave him for a while.
 
Hiya and welcome
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I pretty much agree with what has been already posted and the main thing is your horse needs to learn some manners pronto before he ends up trying to stand on you or squash you.
An unruly horse is no good to anyone and all are capable of causing their handlers, or bystanders a nasty injury.
Not over reacting by the way just pointing it out that due to his size ( as I have a clydesdale cross who is 16.3 and built like a brick [****] house and I take no sh*t from him to be honest, I just won't tolerate it).
I suggest some groundwork.
Maybe investing in one of those natural halters, and a parelli type line ( basically a long lead rope with a bit of leather at the end). There are plenty of websites and publications on the subject and as far as I am aware there are a few members of the forum who practise it and would be happy to help if you asked them. I am just a beginner in those methods so don't feel experienced enough to answer in that area.
I agree with Lou about tying him up tight unless he tries to rear in which case it could be dangerous for both parties if he were to panic and get himself caught on something.
When I want to stop Mcfly my daughter's cob from being fidgety we cross tie him with 2 ropes a short distance and different angle apart. It helps if you have a corner to use.
Is it just with his rear end he gets like that or wherever you brush him?
He could be skin sensitive that is a distinct possibility but that tends to be on short coated types like thoroughbreds or clipped horses or ones that have been clipped in the past.
I would suggest getting him back to basics and teaching him to trust you.
Start by loads of patting and a quiet but reassuring voice. Show him you mean no harm. Pat his neck and rub down this and then rub your hands over his body. If he stands still reward him with a treat maybe.
If he is comfortable with that progress onto a rubber pad or a soft brush and repeat, using gentle strokes and watch for his response.
If he seems comfortable move around to his rear and use downward sweeping movements from the top of his hindquarters and downwards. Talk to him and reassure him at all times.
He may just feel threatened when you are behind as horses are flight animals and so react when someone or something is hovering above them ( causing shadows) and when there is something behind them. They will either want to run or move away from whatever is frightening them.
Good luck with your horse and let us know how you get on and I hope you give the natural horsemanship a whirl as it is a good way of bonding with a horse.
Cazx
 
Hello and welcome. I have to say that I agree with Cazee regarding the natural horsemanship methods. I am currently learning clicker training and it is making a big difference to my horse who gets stressed when I tie him up. If you want to know any more about what it involves please feel free to PM and I will be happy to tell you what I've learnt so far.

Annie
 
I got a fab grooming mitt from the local saddlery, it's like lots of little rubber bands squidged together, and it gets even the most stubborn mud and dirt off. Best bit is, it doesn't feel like a brush, so even the sensitive ones don't seem to mind it.
Might be worth a go?
 
Give him a bath, this is great for de-fluffing. A good scrub with a sponge and hose off and hey-presto! He might not like this of course.....

Cross tie him, two seperate ropes to two different tie rings - with bailer twine of course, unless he's a panicker, then it won't work!

A big fat haynet or maybe one of those lick-it things tied to the wall should keep his front end where it should be while you deal with the back end.

Size makes no difference to naughtiness. My Shetland pony is the worlds' worse to be groomed, even with cross ties and the haynet. (And yes, I've realised he hates being groomed!!) He swings round, knocks me flying with his ample belly and then treads on my feet for good measure!
 
Welcome Cheeky, its nice to have a guy join the forum
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What do you do with Norman and would you like to compete? We want to know everything about you both
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My mare used to be a bit fidgety when I groomed her so I used to tie her up in the usual way (not tight) and then attached a lunge line to the side of the head collar I was working on and if at any time I felt her about to barge her quarters towards me I would gently but firmly pull her head towards me with the lunge line so she couldn't move her quarters. I did this for a few weeks until she gave up trying barge at me and now she stands quietly while I groom her.
 
I think one of those rubber flat grooming things might help..and if you are keen to defluff him try grooming after he has worked as the hair seems to come out more easily when they are warm, and he might enjoy the grooming more then in any case.

I have the opposite problem, one of mine just loves being groomed and really leans in to the brush - to the point of nearly falling over. I am not sure which is worse!
 
Hi, I haven't read all of the responses so apologies if I repeat anything that has already been said.

It sounds as though your ned thinks he should be in charge of your team and is being more than a little cheeky! Have you tried doing some ground work with him? When I bought my youngster he was a nightmare, had never been tied up, had his feet picked out or anything, I came across the the Kelly Marks "Perfect Manners" book on a bookshelf one day and it was brilliant. We did loads of the exercises in it and he is now excellent in most respects but for the odd bad day. It is well worth a read and gave me loads of confidence, the nicest thing was learning to communicate with my horse without losing my temper and he became so much happier as well as we both know where we stand and work together. It only took a few days of repeating the same things before he started to get the message and it is now still a routine for us 4 years later.

Best of luck am sure with patience you will crack this!
 
Hi and welcome. I would first off teach your horse to tie up without breaking away! Then once he is happy with this start to groom him tied up, starting on his bits he is happy with. The answer is to be firm but not aggressive. He you groom him without tying up and with a haynet what does he do?
 
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