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  Discussion on Gelding Behaviour
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Member:
Peggyr

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 - 2:14 pm:

I need some advice please. I have a 22+ year old quarter horse gelding that is a pleasure to work with. In October we brought home a 3 year old Mustang gelding. He is affectionate and we are working on training. He stands for trimming. He leads well and will load in trailer. We started teaching him to back out of the trailer this weekend and he learned immediately. He is very smart but has the quick flight instinct.

My problem is that they pick at each other. Some hair has been lost and most bites are not severe. There is some kicking but mostly just kicking at the other. The Mustang appears to start the trouble. He wants to run and my older one just isn't all that interested in playing. Is this just typical? My vet seems to think so and says they will settle down with more time together.
I had a problem this weekend when I went out to halter them both. I had the older one on the lead and the mustang walked right up and started in on him. I had to send him away and he came right back. We are taking him to a wild horse training clinic this weekend, hopefully we will learn too! This is our first experience with a young horse and of course it would be a mustang.
Thanks.

Member:
Christos

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2003 - 5:27 am:

He sounds like any other young horse, Peggy,
Since there are no bad fights, they'll work it out, no need for you to interfere for every little bite or kick.
But you need to explain to the little one that when you are leading a horse, that horse is yours for the moment and he can't play with it.
Until that is clear, it is good practice to halter the naughty one first.
As for the older one, he must feel totally safe in your hands. You shouldn't allow others harassing him when you lead him, it hurts his trust.
Member:
Peggyr

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2003 - 12:06 pm:

Thanks, Christos. This is my first young horse in more than 30 years. I had horses as a teenager but of course my parents did it all. I've raised donkeys for 10 years but that's another game entirely.

I quickly realized my mistake in not haltering Scout first but it was too late by that time! Good point on the older ones trust.
Member:
Cowgrl

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 31, 2004 - 12:37 pm:

Hi Peggy,
Are your two boys turned out together? The mustang may be wanting to establish pecking order. It sounds as though the older gelding is happy to be second in command if he doesn't react against the mustang when he bites at him or goes to kick. Yes, you must let him know that he is not allowed to approach when you are leading the other. A loud NO! with an assertive look or stance should be sufficient but if not, carry a crop and give him a sharp rap so he knows you will not tolerate the behaviour. The biting and kicking while you are leading is dangerous for you too.

I have a mustang gelding who is maybe 14 hands. All our other horses are 15 hands or above. The little dude is definitely in charge when they are turned out together.Having a mustang has been one the most rewarding experiences I can remember. I just got him as a 3 year old in September of last year and in such a short time we have bonded and he is like a best friend. When I got him he was very fearful and wouldn't let me touch him unless I had hold on his halter. Then is was only on the forehead. Within a week I was touching him on almost every part of his body (he still doesn't like me touching his boy parts but who can blame him?). I just started riding him and he is a dream. He learns so fast that after only 35 hours, he's already picking up neck reining and has a whoa on him to die for. He is so loyal and trusting that I feel more in touch with him than with my QH that I've had for 8 years.

Sorry to get off the topic a little but be sure to let him know that this behaviour must stop.

Happy trails.
Holly
Member:
Christos

Posted on Friday, Feb 11, 2005 - 7:05 am:

A smack does not work, Jose. It is not even annoying to some horses, and they may find good fun in this bite-smack game.
One way is to wear a heavy leather jacket and ignore his biting. If he does it for playing smack, chances are he'll quit very soon.
The other way is to hit him with a stiff whip when he bites. Hit him on the forearm, only once for every bite, but make it hurt. He may get angry the first time you change the rules in this little game, so be prepared for it.
Member:
Lhenning

Posted on Friday, Feb 11, 2005 - 10:02 am:

My three year old has this annoying habit too. I think its a respect issue. Also, in a pasture, horses commonly nip one another to show dominance. One thing that has worked for me is to teach him to get out of my space. I think I watched a Parelli video, one of those guys anyway, and he showed ground work that teaches the horse to back away when the person moves toward him. Your horse should never come into your space uninvited. My horse mostly attempts to bite while I'm grooming him, so I keep one eye tuned to his head and if I see any movement towards me, I face him with hands on hips and walk toward him. He now backs off. Then I give him a glaring look in the eye until he turns his head forward, which usually results in him licking and chewing. At first, he would swing his head back toward me as soon as I turned my back on him, so I had to be very watchful. I do think it's most successful if I move into him BEFORE he gets close enough to actually bite. Those "sneak attacks" are so amusing to him and just encourage him.

Another trick that was told to me through this webpage is to "accidentally" bop him on the nose with my elbow as he swings his head toward me. That way he never sees it as an attack by me, but just an unfortunate result of reaching toward me. I also think, for us, giving treats made the problem worse. I do give him a couple of treats now, but only at one specific time after working him.

Happy trails,
Linda
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Feb 11, 2005 - 8:04 pm:

Christos is right it is not to be tolerated but smacking the horse with your hand is playing around. For detailed explanations on corrections see, Training Horses » Behavioral Problems » Aggression in Horses.
DrO
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