wrong to let horse push gate open with chest?

My horse started pushing the gate into the yard open of his own accord. He was very clever and it was very useful. I would lean over the side of him to open the lever handle at the top, he would then push it open with his nose.

He also tried opening them inwards with his nose (ie pulling it towards him), but never quite got to the stage of being able to open it.

He never barged through a gate or tried opening any gates on fields!
 
I am not very practised at opening gates, my horse can be very helpful at times and will push it open and at other times pretend he has no idea what I am asking him to do!

Don't have to worry at the moment though as somebody stole the gate to the bridleway!
 
If the horse is able to push the gate and make it move, the risk is it will end up thinking it is dominant to the gate and not respect it. :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top