Territorial Gelding

[Elvengirl]

I just started riding this horse in November so we are still getting to know each other. He is a lovely guy, great to ride and jump. However, there is one problem!

He was gelded late, he is cresty and filled out like a stallion, but not a rig for sure. I was told that he'd be a bit grumpy in the stall, but never found him to be, he pulled a face once or twice, but nothing serious. He has a sign on his door warning people not to go in, that he bites etc. but I never had a problem.

However, lately my OH has been having problems with him. He usually comes with me out to the barn and sits upstairs doing homework etc. So Odie (the horse) rarely sees him. When he does come down, however, Odie shows serious aggresive behavior towards him which I'm not sure how to deal with. It's usually when I'm brushing and OH walks up beside me, or gets between me and him. He will lunge at him with ears pinned and teeth barred. Really nasty look. He hasn't got my OH with a bite, but OH is pretty quick to get out of the way. This is really upsetting because OH is afraid of horses and, well, I want him to be around.

This horse is really nice, but he is older, and I'm think obviously someone has tried to deal with this before, he's had a great career with talented riders so maybe there is nothing that can be done? What should I do!?

[Skyhuntress]

Get your OH involved. My gelding was like that with my dad - it seems that quite a few geldings get protective of who they consider "theirs" ;) So I gradually introduced them and made sure that my dad fed him treats and brushed him (and my father was totally non-horsey, so it did take some time) but eventually Stormy relaxed and realized that it was ok ;)

[Wally]

He simply sees your OH as a subordinate invading his personal space without invitation.

There is only one thing for it, your OH has to let the bolshy gelding know, in no uncertain terms, that he is far higher in the pecking order and if anyone's personal space will be in vaded without permission it is that of the horse!

But if he's not certain about horses I doubt whether he will ever move with the confidence and body language needed to convince the gelding he means it.

[Afellpony]

Yes, I've had a 'gelding' that was very protective of me. Anyone went near me, he stuck his ears flat back at them and trotted towards them in a threatening manner. In the 1970s buoght a little Exmoor 'gelding' from a lady I knew. Her son had outgrown him. He was fine with them and was kept at their home. However, I liked him, bought him and took him to the livery yard where I am now and it was a different story. He changed completely. He was possessive of me and was more than fond of the mares and he liked having a 'good time' with them (and mated them properly) but no pregnancy occurred (thank goodness). The crunch came when I rode him out alone and an in season mare called out, he promptly dumped me on the road and ran back home to this flusey!!!! Yes, he was a rig. A woman and her son offered him a very kind home and they kept him until he died. There were no mares in the vacinity of where they lived.

[Elvengirl]

Wally, I think you're right about OH's body language expressing his insecurity, which is probably why this horse is beng this way.

I think I'll just get him to come down with me and hang around, maybe help brush after awhile. He's just used to my old horse who was a cuddly puppy dog. I feel so awful :(

fellpony: he has no real interest in mares as far as I know, just territorial about his stall and a grump. OH says he can't blame him due to his recent "loss" heehee