Conference noted::equitation

1923.0. "Evil or just naughty?" by CHEFS::ELKINL () Wed Aug 31 1994 11:38

    I'd be grateful of some input regarding a problem horse.
    
    I have recently moved my horse to another field (I moved her on
    Monday).  I now share the field with a friend of mine Michelle who has
    a horse called Brecon, Michell's sister is also there with her horse
    Saracen.  Sarah has had Saracen 6 months and was introduced to Brecon
    and another horse in the field when she brought him.  Brecon and the
    other horse had been together 4 years and were best buddies, obviously
    Saracen must have felt left out.  The other horse had to be put down
    about 6 weeks ago leaving Brecon and Saracen together but they never
    become *very* friendly.  I have since introduced my horse Holly to
    them, she knew Brecon very well from riding out together daily so they
    have settled in together even within 24 hours, obviously they are still
    testing the groud together though.  They both stick together in the
    field.  Now, Holly had ridden out with Saracen a couple of times but
    didn't know him well.  At the moment Brecon will not let Saracen
    anywhere near Holly, he will fight him to keep him away.
    
    The problem starts here..... Saracen had been spoilt rotten by his
    previous owner so he nips a little, he's very crafty about it.  As far
    as I am concerned this animal is downright nasty.  He has twice missed
    kicking my friend and her boyfriend (in the head) by inches, at the
    time he was going for another horse in the field and obviously didn't
    care who he hit.  Last night whilst Brecon was in his stable having his
    feed he sidled up to Holly very sweetly and nuzzled her neck.  The next
    think I knew his ears were back and he'd lunged at her drawing blood on
    her neck (she's Palomino so the scar's going to be obvious).  Sarah
    hasn't seen his nasty streak and so refuses to believe he is nasty, the
    same goes for the Michelle's and Sarah's parents, they think that
    Michelle doesn't like the horse and is therefore criticising him.
    
    As soon as Saracen does something wrong he'll get a smack and told off. 
    Things were too much when he nearly kicked Michelle that she got the
    lunge whip out of him and beat the **** out of him, the stupid animal
    just stood there!  With most horses all you need do is raise your hand
    quickly and they jump 10 ft in the air knowing they've done wrong.  I
    very rarely have to smack my horse for bad behaviour as this is enough. 
    So far, every time he has been told off by Michelle/her boyfriend/me he
    will come  back for more.
    
    This horse has a serious attitude problem and could do with some
    help...fast.
    
    For your info...Saracen is 6, Brecon is 8, Holly is 13
    
    Any advice, deja vus are appreciated

    I don't think it matters if the horse is evil or naughty - it has
    crossed the boundaries into other people's space.  I would carry a long
    whip when I go into the field and not be afraid to use it on him, if it
    starts.  This "problem" is potentially a very dangerous one and sneak
    biting or kicking is very serious.  The whip on him won't hurt him half
    as much as the kick in the head to a human.
    
    This horse needs to relearn where his space is and where you space is
    and respect it.
    
    I've known several horses that were sneak biters and they are all quite
    dangerous.  One girl had her biceps ruptured from her arm and required
    major surgery and her arm now has an indentation with the horse
    mangeled part of the muscle that couldn't be saved.  My trainer was
    once severely bit in the shoulder blade and had their clothes ripped,
    and another person was picked up and shaked like a rat - only they had
    a thick parka on that saved them.

Liz,

I can understand how you are feeling, 'other' peoples horses can be a 
problem. I am also fully aware of horses like this, I have a crafty gelding 
like the one you talk about (not as bad I may add!). I have had him since he 
was 6 months, hes now 6 years and his behaviour has got better but at 6 years 
old he really has no excuse for some of his actions. 

He has always had a habit of nipping, my horses are never fed tipbits as 
having youngsters I thinks this encourages. I used to smack or even bite him 
him back when ever he bite, but he'd turn right round and do it again, 
smacking never helped. I then decided to ignore the nips (VERY DIFFICULT...)
and this is when I noticed the problem getting better, alot better. Yes you 
still have to be aware but I can really say now that he's not that much of a 
problem to me. He will stand his ground with our three mares and put them in 
place as such with a nip but nothing dangerous. He never has kicked and I 
totally trust he never would.

The thing is with horses like mine and the one you talk about is 
determination and patience. You must not be afraid to show thems whos boss. 
Right from a early age I help a crop for leading too and from the paddock and 
especially for grooming, he got a belt every time he moved, tried to squash 
me, walking backwards to break his string etc. Now I dont carry a crop. He 
knows how he should behave. Riding is the same I am very very strick with him 
and stand for NO nonsence what so ever.

Well thats just my story, I realise all horses are different but the problems 
all stem back to when they are youngsters, how they were handled, and how far 
they know they can push you and get away with it. My answer is Dont let 
horses like this get away with ANYTHING!

Jayne