Darcys-girl
21st Mar 2007, 09:12 AM
Has anyones horse/ pony gone from being quite well behaved to being playful/ moody?
Mr D is either wanting to "play" - especially when I am poo picking the field - trots behind me waving his head from side to side niping the backs of my legs or tugging my coat. I nip him back by pinching his neck when he uses his teeth. He often gets a bit carried away and does little rears - frount feet just off the ground. He wants to play when I go to catch him in the field as well
In the stable he is a grumpy old git - ears flat back when I am changing his rug or bring his feed.
We usually get on well - he follows me round the field (with out the play behaviour), after I school he follows me round as I put poles etc away with out nipping me he will even trot over jumps following me (kind of free schooling but following mum), loves being groomed and fussed and is the prefect man, but now - he just seems in a mood.
I would like some advice on how to deal with him when he is playful I dont want to dampen his spirits but he is so enthusiastic at the moment I think he might end up hurting me, and how to make him happier.
He had an equine touch session on friday and seemed happier after that but he is back to being moody since sunday am :(.
He is in his own section of field next to his best friend, he is on his own in the internal stables all the outside ones are taken so he is isolated at night (has been like this for 2 winters) have been wondering if he is just depressed at being on his own but seems to reject my comapny when I am at the yard (spent 2 hours with him last night just chatting to him and grooming him - kept putting his ears back and pulling horrid faces) :( .
All the horses will be moved to the summer turn out at the end of April so I am hoping he will be happier then - just dont know what to do at the moment...help feel like he hates me :o.
Mr D is either wanting to "play" - especially when I am poo picking the field - trots behind me waving his head from side to side niping the backs of my legs or tugging my coat. I nip him back by pinching his neck when he uses his teeth. He often gets a bit carried away and does little rears - frount feet just off the ground. He wants to play when I go to catch him in the field as well
In the stable he is a grumpy old git - ears flat back when I am changing his rug or bring his feed.
We usually get on well - he follows me round the field (with out the play behaviour), after I school he follows me round as I put poles etc away with out nipping me he will even trot over jumps following me (kind of free schooling but following mum), loves being groomed and fussed and is the prefect man, but now - he just seems in a mood.
I would like some advice on how to deal with him when he is playful I dont want to dampen his spirits but he is so enthusiastic at the moment I think he might end up hurting me, and how to make him happier.
He had an equine touch session on friday and seemed happier after that but he is back to being moody since sunday am :(.
He is in his own section of field next to his best friend, he is on his own in the internal stables all the outside ones are taken so he is isolated at night (has been like this for 2 winters) have been wondering if he is just depressed at being on his own but seems to reject my comapny when I am at the yard (spent 2 hours with him last night just chatting to him and grooming him - kept putting his ears back and pulling horrid faces) :( .
All the horses will be moved to the summer turn out at the end of April so I am hoping he will be happier then - just dont know what to do at the moment...help feel like he hates me :o.