Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter Archives

Cornered by horse - caught by surprise

From: Donald

Dear Jessica

I was caught in a bad situation the other day, my horse Nic got me trap in a corner of the paddock. Normally this would not be of any concern to me, but I could tell the way Nic was approaching me that he had other things on his mind. I could tell by the way he was waving his head and then he started to rear on his back legs. I truly believe he had no intention to harm me, I think he just wanted to play. This is the second time it happened. I had to hit his shoulder with my crop a few times to get him to stop, I perfer not to hit him, but if I didn't I could had been seriously hurt, and I'm sure that hitting him is not the solution to correcting this problem. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Donald

Hi Donald! Chances are that Nic does want to play, but he can't be allowed to play with you this way. You have several things going on at once: Nic is full of energy and needs exercise; Nic is a young horse who needs the company of other horses -- horses are social animals and they NEED to play with one another; Nic is approaching you as he would approach a peer, not as he would approach the alpha horse!

The first problem is easily solved if you can find a way to provide Nic with more exercise. He's a bit young for longeing, but you could certainly take him for walks! You'll be very fit, and he'll be less bored.

The second problem is trickier -- the horse is a gregarious animal by nature, and requires companionship. If putting another horse (or large pony) in with Nic is out of the question, you might think about another companion for him --- a small pony or a goat.

The third problem is one that you will have to solve by reminding Nick that you are the leader of this particular two-member herd. He must be taught to respect your space -- and you can't afford to put yourself in danger while Nick is learning that he can't play colt games with you.

Carry a whip whenever you go into the enclosure, and use it if he crowds you (push the handle end into his chest or shoulder). And tell him "NO" very clearly -- if you don't want to say "NO" because it sounds too much like "Whoa," then make a noise like the NAAAAAAAA WRONG ANSWER buzzer on game shows. It works VERY well. Then if he backs off and settles down, just go about your business as usual.

If the noise isn't enough, make the noise AND bump him HARD in the chest with the handle end of the whip. You don't want to lift it high and hit him with it, because a hit on the rear will provoke a kick (he's still very young) and a hit on the chest or neck will make him think that you are doing your best to rear and play the colt game that he wanted to play in the first place! If you do have to smack him in the chest with the whip, bring it across at him, not down on him.

He doesn't have evil intentions, but his intentions don't matter -- it's his behaviour that you have to change. He needs to learn that rearing and pawing at you are simply NOT ACCEPTABLE.

When you work around Nic, stand tall and move in a determined way -- make your body language slow and clear, and let him know that YOU expect HIM to move out of your way. Playing with you, rearing, leaning on you, crowding into your personal space -- these are all behaviours that, if Nic is allowed to pursue, will cause him to think that HE is the alpha horse. And he's not full-grown -- this is an opinion he must lose as soon as possible; you don't want to be dealing with a larger, heavier, more mature Nic who still thinks that you are subordinate to him.

Again, Donald, don't worry that reprimanding Nic will make him stop liking you. It won't - in fact, he'll be a happier horse if he knows where the limits are, and what he is and is not allowed to do. It's a small herd, but that doesn't make him your equal. You can be dominant without being aggressive, and that's what you have to do if you want Nic to be a good horse and a happy follower. This isn't just about you and Nic, anyway -- you want him to learn how to behave around humans so that he doesn't frighten them and make them feel that they should punish him. Your vet and farrier will appreciate your efforts.

Let me know how it works out!

- Jessica

P.S. Donald -- you didn't say, but since Nic is 20 months old I assume that he was gelded some time ago...

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