I'm going to attempt to make this post as close to a fact pattern as possible without coloring it by my emotional reaction.
1) It was a beautiful day here, sunny and cool. Mid-afternoon I went out to the barn carrying saddle and equipment, intent on some ridden work with 5 yr. old green broke Mara the Haflinger whom I have raised from birth.
2) Said mare is in season.
3) Horses were recently turned out in a new section of pasture with a high clover content, so turn out has been limited to 4 hours a day for the last week.
4) When I arrived at the barn door, Mara threw her head up and did a stallion-esque neigh/squeal and the flehman lip response.
5) I put on my helmet and gloves and decided not to saddle her, but only put on the bridle for lunging. Put it over the halter because she was evading me and I wasn't 100% sure I'd get her bridled without it.
6) Whip and lunge line were in the front paddock, which requires leading her around the barn through the back paddock.
7) Using a standard lead line clipped to her halter, we headed for the barn door.
8) At the door, she balked, and popped up a little (fronts off the ground an inch or so)
9) I kept leading, assuming that she would follow. I am ahead of her by about two feet; we are moving out of the barn.
10) Out of the corner of my eye, I see movement, and spin away. Something bangs my helmet above and behind my right ear. (Front left hoof, I am assuming, perhaps her jaw, I don't really know as it happened so fast.)
11) When I turn back around to confront her, she is already shying away and takes off bucking around the paddock. I let the leadline go because I want her away from me.
12) Since she's rodeoing around, her reins start to hang down from where they were secured by her chinstrap and by now my 3 seconds to 'make her think she's going to die' are over.
13) I calm her with voice and am able to take her back under control. We get into the front paddock where I then work her for an hour, first with a few minutes of free lunging, then regular lunging both ways.
14) She behaves 90% of the time during this time frame although she looks pi$$y. (well this in not a 'fact', it's my impression.) She does not do any NH licking and chewing.
15) Since an hour is longer than she's usually worked, I put her up, walk into the house and burst into tears.
SO, she learned that trying to kill her mentor didn't get her out of work. I, on the other hand, am absolutely mortified that she would do this - without the helmet I would have been hurt. Helmet is slightly scratched not broken or dented but still. I didn't want to have anything to do with her for the rest of the day, just threw her hay over the gate.
This is the first time in five years she has EVER struck out at me. She is not a kicker either - but who knows now? She has also started taking little nipping actions in my direction without actually connecting. (last two days).
I know it's all about respect and who is the leader, etc. but I really don't want to lose my confidence with this horse.
What would YOU do next?
I will note that I came out and lunged little Penny (avatar) who was as good as gold. (Three year old).
1) It was a beautiful day here, sunny and cool. Mid-afternoon I went out to the barn carrying saddle and equipment, intent on some ridden work with 5 yr. old green broke Mara the Haflinger whom I have raised from birth.
2) Said mare is in season.
3) Horses were recently turned out in a new section of pasture with a high clover content, so turn out has been limited to 4 hours a day for the last week.
4) When I arrived at the barn door, Mara threw her head up and did a stallion-esque neigh/squeal and the flehman lip response.
5) I put on my helmet and gloves and decided not to saddle her, but only put on the bridle for lunging. Put it over the halter because she was evading me and I wasn't 100% sure I'd get her bridled without it.
6) Whip and lunge line were in the front paddock, which requires leading her around the barn through the back paddock.
7) Using a standard lead line clipped to her halter, we headed for the barn door.
8) At the door, she balked, and popped up a little (fronts off the ground an inch or so)
9) I kept leading, assuming that she would follow. I am ahead of her by about two feet; we are moving out of the barn.
10) Out of the corner of my eye, I see movement, and spin away. Something bangs my helmet above and behind my right ear. (Front left hoof, I am assuming, perhaps her jaw, I don't really know as it happened so fast.)
11) When I turn back around to confront her, she is already shying away and takes off bucking around the paddock. I let the leadline go because I want her away from me.
12) Since she's rodeoing around, her reins start to hang down from where they were secured by her chinstrap and by now my 3 seconds to 'make her think she's going to die' are over.
13) I calm her with voice and am able to take her back under control. We get into the front paddock where I then work her for an hour, first with a few minutes of free lunging, then regular lunging both ways.
14) She behaves 90% of the time during this time frame although she looks pi$$y. (well this in not a 'fact', it's my impression.) She does not do any NH licking and chewing.
15) Since an hour is longer than she's usually worked, I put her up, walk into the house and burst into tears.
SO, she learned that trying to kill her mentor didn't get her out of work. I, on the other hand, am absolutely mortified that she would do this - without the helmet I would have been hurt. Helmet is slightly scratched not broken or dented but still. I didn't want to have anything to do with her for the rest of the day, just threw her hay over the gate.
This is the first time in five years she has EVER struck out at me. She is not a kicker either - but who knows now? She has also started taking little nipping actions in my direction without actually connecting. (last two days).
I know it's all about respect and who is the leader, etc. but I really don't want to lose my confidence with this horse.
What would YOU do next?
I will note that I came out and lunged little Penny (avatar) who was as good as gold. (Three year old).