AmyMay
Situation normal
There we are then......
New mare trying to test me, but getting dangerous..
- Thread starter I See Clover
- Start date
There we are then......
MrsMozart
Just passing through...
OP, Dizzy (16.3hh DWB), was an ar&e when I first got her. She's very loving as a rule, but give her an inch and she'll take your head off.
I had to quickly learn that we did nothing her way. I move her round in subtle ways, but the point is, she has to move, not me. We still have the occasional bout, where she tests the boundaries: had one a few weeks ago where I was getting her bum in my face, etc., so a schooling whip used as an extension of my arm, sending her forwards, moving her where I wanted her to be, and she's back to being her usual self. I know from experience with her, that if I hadn't done that, she would quickly become dangerous to handle.
One thing Dizz does to test is move her head up and over mine, but she'll just catch the top of my head. If I move away/don't remonstrate with her, she'll do it again, only this time it will be a bit lower and hurt more, and again, if I don't tell her to bog off in no uncertain terms, she'll keep doing it, then she'll start on me with her shoulder, using it to push me out of the way, which leads to squirting me against the wall, etc.
Re. pressure halters: we use the rope ones on a mix of horses and do ground work with them (as Damnation's reply). Loose when all fine, a quickish reminder when adverse behaviour. So far we have managed to get a little g!t on the lead rope to walk nicely, and two bargy/ar&ey horses that will now walk calmly in normal headcollars.
I had to quickly learn that we did nothing her way. I move her round in subtle ways, but the point is, she has to move, not me. We still have the occasional bout, where she tests the boundaries: had one a few weeks ago where I was getting her bum in my face, etc., so a schooling whip used as an extension of my arm, sending her forwards, moving her where I wanted her to be, and she's back to being her usual self. I know from experience with her, that if I hadn't done that, she would quickly become dangerous to handle.
One thing Dizz does to test is move her head up and over mine, but she'll just catch the top of my head. If I move away/don't remonstrate with her, she'll do it again, only this time it will be a bit lower and hurt more, and again, if I don't tell her to bog off in no uncertain terms, she'll keep doing it, then she'll start on me with her shoulder, using it to push me out of the way, which leads to squirting me against the wall, etc.
Re. pressure halters: we use the rope ones on a mix of horses and do ground work with them (as Damnation's reply). Loose when all fine, a quickish reminder when adverse behaviour. So far we have managed to get a little g!t on the lead rope to walk nicely, and two bargy/ar&ey horses that will now walk calmly in normal headcollars.
amage
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't be going for marble or regumate just yet. It is early days. What is she on hard feed wise? I would start by cutting that way way down and give a bit of tough love. You sound like you are coping so hang tough and don't let her shake you! Re: the pressure headcollars...I have seen loads of people use them and use them myself from time to time. I 100% agree that if they make the horse rear (regularly) then they are being used wrong. All horses may give a hump or two the first time but if it continues there is a problem! How is she riding wise??? I wouldn't use food to make her stand go with clicker training...or borrow the mounting block for a few days and do everything from it. Grooming, cleaning, mane pulling, cuddles, back rubs etc
Crazydancer
Well-Known Member
MrsM, can I ask how you deal with this, as this is how my new mare is too. She swings her head around and has no regard for my space - I must admit the last time she smacked my head I did immediately smack her nose, it was an instinctive reaction cos it hurt!!! I don't want to make her headshy, but DO need to stop this, as I think she is going to be similar in personality!
Sorry for butting in here OP, but also have a similar problem, and also posted yesterday and have been following your thread!
Cadfael&Coffee
Well-Known Member
Better half I do agree with you there, many people use them incorrectly 
The worst is when I've seen people tue horses up in them- pure idiocy!!
(sorry to hijack your thread OP- not intentional)
The worst is when I've seen people tue horses up in them- pure idiocy!!
(sorry to hijack your thread OP- not intentional)
Cadfael&Coffee
Well-Known Member
Sorry- tie up not tue up (stoopid phone!!)
MrsMozart
Just passing through...
A lot of people would hate me for this (I'm open to them coming and showing me a different way, but will not be accountable for any damage done to them), but I turn round and boot her in the chest. It's the flat of my boot and it's not with all my force, but it is enough for her to look at me in a different way. As soon as it's done, she is back to loving and respectful, so it works for us.
Vetwrap
Well-Known Member
Better half I do agree with you there, many people use them incorrectly
The worst is when I've seen people tue horses up in them- pure idiocy!!
(sorry to hijack your thread OP- not intentional)
I think that the problem is that people just buy them and don't actually learn how to use them properly. Like any bit, it's the hands that hold that dictate how effective they are.
mcnaughty
Well-Known Member
What utter rubbish - you use a pressure halter BECAUSE the horse goes up - they can still go up with one - they can also go up because of one - they are however useful to retrain them from doing it in future...
Cadfael&Coffee
Well-Known Member
Which if you had bothered to read my posts correctly you would have realised that's pretty much what I am saying.
If a horse goes up because of a pressure halter it is the handlers fault.
They are still capable of rearing through fright etc- hence my comment about prevention.
If a horse goes up because of a pressure halter it is the handlers fault.
They are still capable of rearing through fright etc- hence my comment about prevention.
AndySpooner
Well-Known Member
Number of horses throughout this thread demonstrating similar behavior, ie using their forequarters to invade your space and cause you to move your feet. However you achieve it it is imperative that you cause the horse to move it'd forequarters sway from you, preferably without moving your feet.
Tnavas
Well-Known Member
Late April in UK you will have spring grass coming through - she may be reacting to the reduced Magnesium levels in the grass.
Feed her this mix twice daily while the grass is growing really fast.
1 Tablespoon each of
Epsom Salts (Magnesium), Baking Soda, Yeast & Dried Thyme. Try to give one dose about 1½hours before you ride this will give the Magnesium a chance to kick in and calm your horse.
Magnesium calms the muscles, Baking Soda reduces the acidity in the gut, Yeast is the hard worker binding the toxins from the grass and the Dried Thyme is a natural blood cleanser.
This recipe was given to me by an elderly stockman and has been more effecual than any commercial mix.
Feed her this mix twice daily while the grass is growing really fast.
1 Tablespoon each of
Epsom Salts (Magnesium), Baking Soda, Yeast & Dried Thyme. Try to give one dose about 1½hours before you ride this will give the Magnesium a chance to kick in and calm your horse.
Magnesium calms the muscles, Baking Soda reduces the acidity in the gut, Yeast is the hard worker binding the toxins from the grass and the Dried Thyme is a natural blood cleanser.
This recipe was given to me by an elderly stockman and has been more effecual than any commercial mix.
I See Clover
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
I always wear a hat when around her. If I hadnt had one on the arena, I would have been knocked out cold..
I have been doing a lot of ground work with her lately including a lot of transition work to get her listening. I also lunged her for the first time last night and she was very responsive to my voice. I am hoping to get some flatwork lessons soon as well, which should help.
I had a master saddler out about 2 months ago and we bought a brand new saddle for her. The saddler is due to come out again next month just to check it doesnt need readjusting. Im sure her teeth were done just before I bought her, but will double check!
She gets two feeds - one in the morning and one at night. What she gets doesnt even cover the bottom of the bucket - she gets a sprinkle of lite chaff and pasture mix.
Riding wise she is very well behaved. She is responsive to the leg and voice, does everything I ask. Gets a little excited after a canter, but thats just her nature, shes a speedy little pony that loves to jump! Its just on the ground that she tries to take the p*ss and is very bad mannered. When I first got her (before we moved to the new yard) she wasnt well behaved when hacking. She would nap, rear, and constantly jog. But I persevered and stood my ground. Now I couldnt fault her at all. She just seems to go through all these phases, testing me. She has something new every week - one problem disappears, replaced with another!
I have found that the treats can encourage her nashing her teeth, so dont give her any at all now. Her biting has always been food related ie in the morning when she has no hay and is grumpy. My automatic reaction is to back off so she cant reach me, which probably makes her think Im giving in .
I always wear a hat when around her. If I hadnt had one on the arena, I would have been knocked out cold..
I have been doing a lot of ground work with her lately including a lot of transition work to get her listening. I also lunged her for the first time last night and she was very responsive to my voice. I am hoping to get some flatwork lessons soon as well, which should help.
I had a master saddler out about 2 months ago and we bought a brand new saddle for her. The saddler is due to come out again next month just to check it doesnt need readjusting. Im sure her teeth were done just before I bought her, but will double check!
She gets two feeds - one in the morning and one at night. What she gets doesnt even cover the bottom of the bucket - she gets a sprinkle of lite chaff and pasture mix.
Riding wise she is very well behaved. She is responsive to the leg and voice, does everything I ask. Gets a little excited after a canter, but thats just her nature, shes a speedy little pony that loves to jump! Its just on the ground that she tries to take the p*ss and is very bad mannered. When I first got her (before we moved to the new yard) she wasnt well behaved when hacking. She would nap, rear, and constantly jog. But I persevered and stood my ground. Now I couldnt fault her at all. She just seems to go through all these phases, testing me. She has something new every week - one problem disappears, replaced with another!
I have found that the treats can encourage her nashing her teeth, so dont give her any at all now. Her biting has always been food related ie in the morning when she has no hay and is grumpy. My automatic reaction is to back off so she cant reach me, which probably makes her think Im giving in .
amage
Well-Known Member
Ah maybe she is a bit ulcery??? Coligone would def be worth a try!! If she is nashing her teeth she is trying to produce saliva. She could have had ulcers issues in the past and it is just a bad habit or the change of diet/yard etc could have induced stress related ulcers!
Vixen Van Debz
Well-Known Member
Hormones do not CAUSE behaviour. They do however, potentiate certain behaviours which will then occur if the environment is right. For example, testosterone won't necessarily make an animal aggressive alone - it needs to be in competitive company for the hormones to elicit that aggressive response. So, hormones aren't the be all and end all with mares... but of course they elicit certain behaviours, and I'm sure shifts in environment, company, routine, food and owner could all easily have their own effects.
And don't poll pressure-averse horses often rear when put in poll-pressurising tack (be it bits, bridles, halters etc)? So it wouldn't matter if you'd been trained 'til the cows come home on how to use the tack in some cases to get that behavioural response. The point has also been well made already that often rearing occurs leading to the use of halter etc. Rearing does not necessarily equate to misuse therefore.
OP, it sounds like you've been doing everything pretty much right, and taking all the right safety procautions too. Keep persevering and I'm sure you'll get there 80)
And don't poll pressure-averse horses often rear when put in poll-pressurising tack (be it bits, bridles, halters etc)? So it wouldn't matter if you'd been trained 'til the cows come home on how to use the tack in some cases to get that behavioural response. The point has also been well made already that often rearing occurs leading to the use of halter etc. Rearing does not necessarily equate to misuse therefore.
OP, it sounds like you've been doing everything pretty much right, and taking all the right safety procautions too. Keep persevering and I'm sure you'll get there 80)
KatB
Well-Known Member
re. the stable behaviour, several mares I know who are lovely to handle generally are very aware of the stable being "their" space and will also show grumpy behaviour. I ignore it, unless they are biting at me, in which case they get a smack!
I also use a rope halter on a very sensitive mare, as she will tow me in a normal headcollar. She is VERY sensitive to poll pressure, and has never had an adverse reaction to this headcollar. I also tie her up in it, as it has solved her pulling back just for the hell of it... horses for courses and all that
I would get her back checked re. the mounting block shenanigans. It could well be she is just more sensitive in her back when she is coming into season, so isn't as welcoming to you sitting on her! Just be aware of it, and make sure you are as soft as possible when getting on... I have also invested in a Equilibrium massage pad which makes her softer in her back when I get on, and has made her less resistant!
Sounds like you are doing a great job though, just stick with it and you will have success I am sure
I also use a rope halter on a very sensitive mare, as she will tow me in a normal headcollar. She is VERY sensitive to poll pressure, and has never had an adverse reaction to this headcollar. I also tie her up in it, as it has solved her pulling back just for the hell of it... horses for courses and all that
I would get her back checked re. the mounting block shenanigans. It could well be she is just more sensitive in her back when she is coming into season, so isn't as welcoming to you sitting on her! Just be aware of it, and make sure you are as soft as possible when getting on... I have also invested in a Equilibrium massage pad which makes her softer in her back when I get on, and has made her less resistant!
Sounds like you are doing a great job though, just stick with it and you will have success I am sure