Wasn't sure where to put this, as it isn't necessarily just training....

Trewsers

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Oct 13, 2004
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Last night Storm and I decided to engage in some mutual grooming. She was delighted by it, but I have to say, I do try not to let her "put me" where she wants me, she has a habit of moving me about with her nose (gently and politely but moving me all the same). It went on for some time until my bad arm started to ache (I have issues with my arm atm, the muscles are just not recovering) and then I walked away further down the school side away from her. She tried to follow me a while and then got close to me and decided to show her displeasure / disappointment that the session had drawn to a close by flitting sideways and waving her front hooves about at me a little - it didn't scare / bother me, but I thought it was bad manners. So, I squared up to her and pointed until she moved away. Should I be worried about her making her feelings so obvious? Do you think she is treating me as another horse would and if so is this wrong? Should I try and train her to accept that when the grooming is over it's over and doing what she did is unacceptable and if so, how would you get this across? Or am I reading too much into it? OH was quite surprised as he was watching, he thought she was rather naughty:unsure:
Any ideas?
 
I would teach her that when you decide the session is over, its over. Like you did do. Mr T is right she was pushing her luck.

Its the same with dogs, they will insist on being fussed all day if you let them. More respect and appreciation will be achieved by drawing a line........Come to think of it......men are the same:giggle:
 
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Last night Storm and I decided to engage in some mutual grooming. She was delighted by it, but I have to say, I do try not to let her "put me" where she wants me, she has a habit of moving me about with her nose (gently and politely but moving me all the same). It went on for some time until my bad arm started to ache (I have issues with my arm atm, the muscles are just not recovering) and then I walked away further down the school side away from her. She tried to follow me a while and then got close to me and decided to show her displeasure / disappointment that the session had drawn to a close by flitting sideways and waving her front hooves about at me a little - it didn't scare / bother me, but I thought it was bad manners. So, I squared up to her and pointed until she moved away. Should I be worried about her making her feelings so obvious? Do you think she is treating me as another horse would and if so is this wrong? Should I try and train her to accept that when the grooming is over it's over and doing what she did is unacceptable and if so, how would you get this across? Or am I reading too much into it? OH was quite surprised as he was watching, he thought she was rather naughty:unsure:
Any ideas?

Regardless of what she's treating as, I'd have done the same thing. Be nice or get chased off by another squealing alpha bitch.

I don't think it heps to deeply analyse why they did it, they did it, you were offended by the 'haviour and jolly well told her there and then not to. Job done.
 
What do you mean by 'mutual' grooming? Poppy LOVES being groomed but I definitely wouldn't fancy her trying to lick me or rub on me, just as I firmly discourage my dog from doing the same - she is adorable but I know what she eats! ;)
 
What do you mean by 'mutual' grooming? Poppy LOVES being groomed but I definitely wouldn't fancy her trying to lick me or rub on me, just as I firmly discourage my dog from doing the same - she is adorable but I know what she eats! ;)

Hehehehee, lol, horses are veggies so it doesn't bother me, she can snuzzle me anytime!:giggle: Mutual grooming is where they groom you back, using their lips and sometimes teeth:frown: It's nice because it is something they would normally do to members of their herd that they have bonded with, and I think it shows that they trust you enough to want to get so close and participate. The first time she did it I didn't realise how vigorous it was going to be! Now I generally make sure I'm wearing long sleeves or a thick top. She does love my hair to groom, but I keep telling her, my hair isn't like hers, it's not replaceable in the same way lol, she has a lot of hair / mane:giggle:
 
Hehehehee, lol, horses are veggies so it doesn't bother me, she can snuzzle me anytime!:giggle: Mutual grooming is where they groom you back, using their lips and sometimes teeth:frown: It's nice because it is something they would normally do to members of their herd that they have bonded with, and I think it shows that they trust you enough to want to get so close and participate. The first time she did it I didn't realise how vigorous it was going to be! Now I generally make sure I'm wearing long sleeves or a thick top. She does love my hair to groom, but I keep telling her, my hair isn't like hers, it's not replaceable in the same way lol, she has a lot of hair / mane:giggle:

My horse sometimes tries to eat my hair - I am blonde though so thought she was getting it confused with hay! Ha ha! Is that grooming then? I can't say I let her do it as I don't want little bald patches!
 
Our gelding will groom yu if you scratch his neck and withers but you gotta watch he doesnt mistake you for a horse and use his teeth like he would with another herd member lol :hot:

He doesnt ever get aggressive though and knows when its over its over :smile:
 
Our gelding will groom yu if you scratch his neck and withers but you gotta watch he doesnt mistake you for a horse and use his teeth like he would with another herd member lol :hot:

He doesnt ever get aggressive though and knows when its over its over :smile:

Ah yes, the teeth thing:giggle: This is why I make sure I wear a padded jacket! Chloe is the worst of the two for teeth grooming, she really gets stuck in (in a nice way of course) and you really do have to be a bit careful. It isn't badly meant, she just assumes I enjoy it..............:giggle:
 
When Cherie was little, I had long hair, tied up in a loose bun.

She loved to 'do my hair' the bun would end up somewhere round my shoulders with bits hanging out. Very creative:giggle:
 
Do you think she is treating me as another horse would and if so is this wrong? Should I try and train her to accept that when the grooming is over it's over and doing what she did is unacceptable and if so, how would you get this across?

I personally wouldn't see this as some sort of situation where she's trying to gain the upper hand, and I like my horses to feel they can politely express their opinion if they want to. I think it's just a case of deciding what is and isn't acceptable between you and then sticking to it so everyone knows where they stand. I think your reaction was an appropriate one, you didn't get angry with her and you made yourself clear.
 
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