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Discussion on Temper tantrum before feeding
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Monday, Sep 22, 2003 - 4:12 pm:
I board 4 horses at my barn and I have a horse in my barn that is extremely dominant. Feeding time comes and he is rearing and bucking and VERY dominant toward me...None of the others are like this (and mine is the perfect gentleman - so I hope it's not because of me). I feed in stalls on mats, so I sweep before I feed to eliminate any dirt,shavings, etc. When I go in to sweep he gets extremely close to me and never actually connects with me but threatens to bite, and is TOTALLY in my space. When I ask him to back up he tosses his head rears and spins. What can I do? The owners are very novice...but in general this guy is good (was cut late -breeding arabian stallion) just before feeding is he a horror.
Any ideas?
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Monday, Sep 22, 2003 - 6:09 pm:
Sorry Dr. O --
I should know better. READ FIRST (;)
I'll just continue to whack him with a crop...it just didn't seem to be working all that well.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Sep 22, 2003 - 6:50 pm:
Hmmmm, let me interject that our article on aggresive behavior is clear: anytime you are dealing with an aggresive horse, further aggression may cause escalation: are you prepared for that?
If not I would suggest another tack here, remove him from the stall when you clean and have his food already in the stall when you put him in, or some similar variation so that you are not in a stall with a aggressive horse with no halter or lead: he has all the advantages here when not in hand. Manage around this problem unless you are being paid to train, and take the risk, of retraining his aggression. If you cannot manage around it consider having the horse removed: it is not worth real injury unless you are willing to take this risk.
Let me correct a common misconception: castration of older stallions does not have a higher incidence of misbehavior, per se, see the article on castration for more on this.
DrO
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Sep 22, 2003 - 8:43 pm:
Dr.O's right about the out fighting them. I don't know about other breeds, but Arabians have a memory better than elephants' and will get you at some point if you try to "out macho" them. Have you tried feeding him on a little different schedule than the other horses-a little earlier or later? He may be very used to having things done a certain time/way (being fed 1st,) esp. if he were in a show barn, and showing his displeasure that things aren't done "right" at your place. Also, maybe try sweeping at times other than just before feeding-randomly during the day maybe, and sweep then wait a bit before you feed. Another thought-do you act/feel threatened and afraid of him? Some horses really pick up on that and use it to their benefit.Just some thoughts. Basically you have to use your "horse psychology." We stand 2 Arab stallions and once in a while one or the other will puff up and act threatening. I just shake my finger at them and scold them and they back off to a corner and deflate, but I've raised them since birth so have some advantage there. Good luck!
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2003 - 10:19 am:
Thank you for the input!
Believe it or not, I am prepared for further esclation. My confidence level has risen much higher then when I first joined this site (and I must say the higher confidence level has a LOT to do with the wonderful insight on this site) and I won't stand for disrespect. To me that's dangerous as well, and I don't want these novice horse owners hurt on my property.
That being said, he was MUCH better yesterday and today... I make sure to give him a good scratch when he's good instead of just saying he's a good boy and that actually seems to be working... for now...do you think he may be jealous over the attention I give my horse?? I know that's far reaching, but that's all I can come up with for right now. He gets minimal attention compared to what I give my guy and what the other boarders give their horses.
I will keep my eyes open and make sure I know where he's at all the time when I'm in the stall with him.
As far as feeding on a different schedule...too difficult. I feed at 6 am and 6 pm since I work full time. The owners are responsible for cleaning their stalls, turnout, blankets, grooming, exercising....and training, unfortunately.
Again, thanks so very much! I will be sure to keep my eyes wide open!
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2003 - 10:56 am:
IMO jealousy could play a part. Are his owners attentive? It's been my experience that most Arabians are almost like dogs in that they need a lot of attention and get depressed or exhibit "bad" behaviours when they don't get enough attention. Also, they are high energy horses and need a lot of turnout or exercise. They are not a breed that can just stand around all day doing nothing. Confidence is important, but don't put yourself in jepordy. Dr. O had some good advice. Sounds like you've made some progress though!
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2003 - 11:26 am:
Well, from what I see they come to do their chores for 1/2 hour to one hour a day...they don't hang out with the horses or do much else unless the horse need medical care, ie. colic (yes..that was recent too). That being said, the daughter does at least lunge him every other day.
I will be careful, thank you Sara!
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2003 - 5:37 pm:
Too bad they don't interact more with the horse. As I'm sure you'll agree, that is the way you develope a bond, and prevent a lot of problems. Dr. O may shake his head at this, but my favorite mare had severe colic (2x) for the first time in her life when I was in hosp. and unable to go to barn. She's never had it since. In the long run, it's the owners who'll be missing out!
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 24, 2003 - 10:33 am:
Yes I do agree with you Sara. They do try, but unfortunately their lives (school/work, etc) conflict with their horse.
He has stopped rearing and spinning and getting in my space...although he did nip me (barely got me) while I put on his fly mask this morning...
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003 - 4:16 pm:
The horse is much better mannered now...what did I do? Gave him more attention than just the basics! That's all it took...go figure Thanks Sara!
btw...they sold one of their horses to a sweet little girl who has time to give the horse attention. Now the girl that boards at my barn will be able to focus on this guy 
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003 - 9:47 pm:
That's good. I know fr. experience that they really need attention and affection-not just the "mechanics" of being taken care of. Like a lot of children, they often feel "bad" attention is a lot better than no attention! (Your confidence level may also have something to do with it!)
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