Suddenly turned more grumpy than normal, sorry long.

Jojo_Pea4

Jojo_Pea4

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A little back ground first. Hes always been grumpy horse espically when eating, doesnt like any1 in/near his stable but me and my mum. Everything has 2 be done outside. I know he doesnt like being in small spaces.
He injuried his suspensory in April and I broke my leg in June the week he was ment 2 start ridden walking so I've not been as confident from a very nasty fall. He had treatment and his doing brilliantly nearly fully healed so had a summer hacking. Recently started going in the school but hes been enjoying short sessions, doing everything expect canter/jump (which he loves doing both).
This weekend out hacking we slipped off a bridge and cut his hing leg small cut. Check over and nothing causing pain. His teeth, back, saddle all check regulary.
He tried to nip but knows I dont allow it but he is lunging and biting now and when I went 2 much him out this moring (which I do every week day) he turned round backed into me and kicked me from nowwhere. He always threats but never actually does anything I've never tried 2 change him just understand in. Riden wise he generally well behaved just nappy this week he was excessivly nappy.
Just wondered if anyone has a agressive horse that suddenly became worse, not sure if it weather can have such an impact.
Hes moved fields and out a couple of hours less but hes at the gate waiting to come in.
He is trotting up sound, but he was fine when he done his injury. Theres not signs of pain anywhere.
Thanks for reading
 
Were you mucking him out while he was in his stable? My horse can be a bit aggressive when in the stable so the simple answer is not to do things to him when he is in the stable. I take him out to groom, tack up, muck out, and usually to change rugs. If he's in and I want to put a hay net up or occasionally to change a rug, I put his head collar on first and tie him up.

It sounds to me like you need to establish some boundaries and sorry but if my horse had kicked me, I'd have belted him. It is absolutely not acceptable, under any circumstances, and he needs to be reprimanded. The other side of that coin is that you know he's aggressive so you need to avoid getting in to that sort of situation in the first place. Do some ground work with him, establish the boundaries, make sure he stays out of your space and respects you, doesn't barge you. Work in the school on some exercises like backing up (the Kelly Marks book, Perfect Manners, is quite good for ideas). However, none of this will be of any use unless you are confident with him. If you're nervous then he will pick up on this and some horses take advantage - mine would! I have to be the boss all of the time with my boy, and I don't mean shouting at him and being mean, but by being consistent and firm. I expect him to stay out of my space, and I reinforce that, I don't expect him to pull faces at me, I don't expect him to threaten to kick.

I think you're analysing this too much. I could be wrong but I doubt the weather has anything to do with it. It sounds to me like he's rude and needs to be reminded of his manners. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear.
 
Yes he was in she stable, hes normally fine to much out. like u, i tie up 2 change rugs, tack up. But I will try tying up 2 put in hay, and muck out see if there is a differnce.
I've had him 4yrs and the 1st 6months was ground work which worked. Hes not bushly u can put him anywhere just doesnt respect personal space. I just need 2 shout and he hides in the corner. He knew he done wrong. I do have 2 be boss all the time with him too. I will do some ground work with him.
Thanks 4 ur advice I just needed 2 see it from some1 elses point of view
 
You know your horse best, so you need to decide if hes grumpy because something is upsetting him or grumpy with you because he can! Movinig fields may have upset him, some horses don't always settle and you say hes waitng to come in, which may indicate hes not completely happy in the new field, but that should be no excuse for him to kick out at you, he should have more respect.
If your sure that it's not because hes in pain and hes got the hump because hes in a new field or doesn't want you in his stable then its just a case of manners and letting him know whos boss! But do remember, your safety is what matters.
 
If he doesn't respect your space then that's what you need to work on, and keep reminding him of it. I never hit my horse, though I would if he kicked me! I work mine in a Dually for groundwork - we do the usual stuff like coming forwards, backing up, backing up through poles, turn on forehand, turn on haunches, work around cones (sort of snaking in and out of them), all sorts. You need to make sure that you don't give an inch. Don't smack him or shout, just be consistent. It might be worth getting someone out for a session to make sure you're approaching it correctly. There really is no excuse for him not to respect your space and you need to correct this. I don't believe you have to do groundwork at the expense of ridden work (and I'm not a bunny hugger by any stretch of the imagination - I take mine hunting!!) but even doing just a few mins every day, and making sure you don't let him get away with being rude during general handling, will help.

But, if your horse kicks then I don't understand why you muck out etc when he's in there? It's just as easy to take him out and tie up outside the stable, which is what I would do. Simply don't put yourself in that situation. Mine hates people (and horses) being near when he's eating hard feed - so I put it in the farthest corner of the stable (he has a corner stable) and leave him to it. It would make him uncomfortable to have me in there while he was eating so why would I put him through that for the sake of his manners?
 
I cant ride him this week as his cut his leg and on bute so its a perfect reason to do ground work in the school. I'm paying my instructor 2 help me with his manner as well as ridden lessons and he respects her lots. I agree I dont like viloence with animals.
Yes I do shut his door and leave him while he eats his hard feed and i'll give him his hay once he starts making a noise. He loves other horses has a overly friendly horse next door who he knows is not frett.
He doesnt kick it was a once off 2day which is y i was so shocked. I will tie up outside from now on
 
What breed/type is your horse? mines dale, cob, welsh. very big personality very hes good he brilliant when bad hes the worst.
 
Good advice from CC
smile.gif
. My DW is the same - stay boss and she is gorgeous and brilliant and loving, let her push you around and you'd better run 'cos she'll be at you with teeth and feet (and that blasted big chestnut shoulder - great for squidging humans against walls!).

Have a hot choccy and a hug.
 
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What breed/type is your horse? mines dale, cob, welsh. very big personality very hes good he brilliant when bad hes the worst.

[/ QUOTE ]

IDxTB - can be a stubborn mule but because he's big, 17hh, and strong, he has been allowed to get away with being rude over the years I think. As long as he knows you're the boss, he's actually a very sweet, lovely and soft horse. Just tries it on. My Welsh was a bugger though and still is for his new owners!
 
Stubborn is the best word 2 describe my boy.
Also have a pure welsh ans she the sweetest, loving not a nasty bone in her body, I have a saint and a devil.
 
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