Respecting and behaving!

[kirstie]

If for example you had a horse that continues to behave naughtily, i.e nipping, bitting, kicking out extremely but pysical things like - teeth, feet, back and tack are not the problem then it most certainly has to be a respect your owner issue and their space? Correct or wrong?

If you wanted to improve his/her beahviour on the ground first what would YOU do?

I think one of the first lessons would be personal space? yes no?

What would you do to after that? As there are many paths to NH although i think most at the start are generally the same? How would you get the horse to respect you and your space?

If you want more information on said horse i'm willing to answer questions!

[sheryl]

Hi Kirsty,

How long have you had him?
Has he always been the same?
What do you feed him?
Do you feed treats?
How long is he turned out for each day?
Does he have companions?

Just a few questions, to get us going:)

[mayoguinness]

Not necerserily, many isues to do with horses are through fear, a lot of people think it is through lack of respect which sometimes it is but sometimes its fear. Take Mayo for example.........I made sure he was completely sound physically yet he still, pushed, reared, bolted and generally was difficult. All these signs may point to respect isues and that was part of it but most of it was fear of what had happend in the past and fear of what humans might do to him. Once |showed him I could be trusted he no longer did this. Whats his past history??

[kirstie]

Thanks Sheryl answers to questions are:

How long have you had him? 5 years this year
Has he always been the same? Yes goes through periods of being a good horse for a couple of months and then goes like the above
What do you feed him? conditioning cubes and good doer
Do you feed treats? No
How long is he turned out for each day? 8-9 hours
Does he have companions? 5 in the field surrounding fields have more horses in but are geldings, young horses e.c.t

Thanks true MG she could behave out of fear not necessarily out of respect but i know the horses past and have known her long enough to know she knows whats expected of her, her brothers and sisters, mother are all the same although prehaps not as bad and are controlled their behaviour that is :)

[mayoguinness]

In that case I would let her know her bounderies and that she must reapect me using Austallian NH techniques :)

[sheryl]

Well, you've had her long enough that she should trust you by now!

Could she be hormonal? Does her behaviour tie in with her seasons?

Or maybe its a touch of Spring Fever!

Has your grass started coming through yet?

I find that my boy starts getting grumpy when the grass in his field gets low. When I put a bit of hay out, he comes in a lot more relaxed.

I would insist on good manners at all times, and be consistent. React immediately that she goes out of line.

Don't forget lots of praise when she's good too, so that she learns clearly whats expected of her.

I think horses need rules to be happy, like children!

I think that the personal space rule is a good place to start. I've taught my horse to step out of my way when I want him to. He's got really good at it now:) . I started by pressing on his side (where your leg would go, if you're in the saddle), and say a clear OVER. As soon as she moves, take away the pressure. Reward the smallest attempt at first. Do it from both sides. You may find she's better one way than the other, thats normal.

If you do it every day, when shes tied up, you will eventually be able to just say OVER, and she will move, without you touching her.
My horse will move over now, just by me standing square to his back end, and looking at him:D .

When my horse used to bite a lot, I tied him up short, so that he couldn't reach me. I found that he never tried to bite when I was watching, so I've grown an eye in the back of my head:p .

As for the legs, you could get someone to hold one up. Mind you, my horse could kick on 2 legs:eek: . Just be careful, and be really angry if she has a go. Chase her out of your space. Then when she relaxes, praise.

Look for her to lick and chew, because that means she's learnt that lesson, and she's sorry. Doesn't mean she won't have another go later though!

Good luck. Let us know how you get on. Feel free to PM:)

[kirstie]

I wouldn't say her behaviour ties in with seasons, tbh shes generally stroppy all the time so i cant tell if shes in season until she shows other signs. However, like yesterday when her behaviour was out of bounds i KNOW thats disrespect.

Grass hasn't really come through no, it could be a possible spring fever, but her mood swings alternate sometimes shes fine and sometimes she pushes the boundaries, only recently has she pushed them to the limit.

Thank you i react very quickly now a usually firm NO if she does anything naughty like try to bite or swing her leg and then push her out of my space. Or if she try to barge about on the yard she now needs to back up and then walk forwards.

I've taught my horse to step out of my way when I want him to.

Yep that's what i've been starting to do this year backing up, moving over e.c.t. I suppose the important thing to do it continue and be consistant with doing the work.

Yep i think i have been a slightly easy on the bitting but will tie her up shorter and for when shes loose in the school or field and shes flinging herself about Chase her out of your space - i do that quite a bit now until i'm ready for her to come to me.

Thanks :)

[sheryl]

Kirstie,
Is it possible for you to put hay in her field, to see if it makes a difference. It makes a huge difference to my horse...

[kirstie]

I'm afraid that's not an option but thank you for the suggestion :)