|
|
Discussion on Shutting door on me
|
| Author |
Message |
Member:
Sailor7
|
Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 7:30 am:
I am a new horse owner who is learning every day.  I have a gentle 9 year old gelding who has been shutting the door on me when I go into the feed room in the morning. He has to work to get the door shut. The first time he did it, I thought maybe he just bumped into it or was curious. Now I notice he is watching me and as soon as he thinks I am not watching he comes around the side. With his nose he gets it between the door and the barn and pushes the door shut!
He is not aggressive at all. Is he just messing with me or is it something else?
Thanks,
Dee
|
Member:
Jojo15
|
Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 8:23 am:
Your horse has a sense of humor... He is probably saying hurry it up there why don't you... Is the horse loose while you are feeding? or is this happening from his stall near that door?
Its funny the things they do. But probably a bad habit none the less, and should be stopped. grin. it could take an ugly turn you don't know, nor should take the chance. See if he does it to others. that would help you figure out if he is playing with you. But in the end, it should be stopped. My mare kinda has the run of my place. and She needs a good lesson now and then to remember her manners. But very quickly they feel they are the boss, and that's what you can't have. I would just take it as a playful gesture, but firmly stop it.
|
Member:
Ilona
|
Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 9:47 am:
I agree, my mare has a whole litany of playful intentions, she's way too smart for her own good. She has my gelding with whom she shares her space completely in her control and would like the whole world that way. The funny thing is, when I am consistently firm but fair with her she works harder for me and is even more excited to see me each day. She knows I'm her leader, she likes to play, she knows the limits, everyone is safe and happy.
The way to stop it may or may take some thought. Everything is done in steps. Perhaps you could take charge and walk in and close the door behind you. That way it is your choice not his.
The other is to have a long dressage whip and as he reaches for the door you swipe (not with anger or excessive force) his upper for-legs. Like a mare kicking her foal when out of line. Then as he steps back, tell him 'good boy' and give him a rub. I don't know the set up of the location so its hard to know the steps. You NEVER want to mess with a horses face, you don't want them to get head-shy. Perhaps if you gave some more details it would be helpful.
Does he back-up on voice, or gesture command? Does he stop on command? If he does then you simply stop him as he approaches the door, or you keep your eye on him and back him up the moment he encroaches where you do not want. He will soon learn that being near the feed door is off limits. Horses do want to please.
Pat Parelli has very helpful info here. The person I like the best is David Lichman at www.davidlichman.com . He is a 5 star Parelli instructor (only 4 0r 6 of them in the country) and you can send him video's/DVD's of your work progress and he will give you feed back. Its like having a clinic at any time you want one. He charges according to the ability to pay, the honor system. He is excellent at what he does and is a very good human being too.
|
Member:
Alden
|
Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 7:48 pm:
Dee,
If he's respectful other than this I'd just get a hook type latch so he can't close the door, it'll help when the wind blows too
Good day,
Alden
|
Member:
Sailor7
|
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 4:15 pm:
Thanks for the comments. I am going to put a latch on the door. Our barn is brand-new and the electricity isn't finished yet. If I shut the door I would be in the dark in the early morning!
But I can do that for the evening feeding. For now, I just have one of my teens come with me. They gently keep him away from the door.
Our horse is a very nice horse. He loves interacting with people, but he does need some training work. He listens to commands much better when he is being ridden than when he is loose in the paddock or stall area. We are going to buy the Parelli course and start working with him more.
We took the horse home before we were really ready because we found out that the place where he had been before wasn't taking care of him well. My husband decided that it was better to bring him home because the place wasn't feeding him on a schedule and the water troughs were not kept up. There were other problems, too. We bought the horse from someone and she was the one who had him at that particular boarding facility.
He has a few other habits that are annoying---He playfully nips. Someone told me it is probably people feeding him too many treats by hand. Do you ever feed treats by hand? Sometimes? Never? Just curious. He never really tries to bite. He isn't being aggressive either. What is the proper response to this playful nipping?
He sometimes will come up next to someone and push them a little with his head. Again, nothing aggressive.
He will paw the ground when he is eating. I read that it is caused by boredom, but this horse gets lots and lots of attention. He also doesn't have to wait long for his feed since he is the only horse in the barn at the moment.
Anyway, those are his only habits that I can think of. He is quite friendly and gentle and listens well when you ride him.
Thanks,
Dee
|
Member:
Alden
|
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 6:40 pm:
Vicki,
The pawing while eating thing is just a horse thing, most of mine will do it from time to time. What would be a problem is striking out with his front hooves, that would need correcting.
The other two may go hand in hand, it sounds like he is attempting to get you to play with him. As innocent as it sounds it needs to be corrected or it will get worse.
Even though Parelli isn't my first choice his training will help with both those problems. Just remember to reward any try in the beginning and you'll do just fine.
Good day,
Alden (HTG)
|
Member:
Ilona
|
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 8:03 pm:
Hi, he is showing general disrespect, not to be confused with malice. He just doesn't see you as the Alpha mare. There is a wonderful book you might find helpful called "teach you Horse Perfect Manners. How you should behave so Your Horse Does Too" by Kelly Marks. You can get it on Amazon. There is also a good DVD by Gawani Pony Boy called "The Simple Truth About Horses Episode 1: Defining your Space. I found it most helpful. I am also very visual, so enjoyed seeing it in action. If you have to prioritize get the DVD, if not get both.
|
Member:
Sailor7
|
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 8:38 pm:
Thanks for the replies. No, he doesn't strike out with his hooves. In fact, he does it when I am not even near him. I will put the food in his bucket, and then I might be on my deck about 25 yards away. I can see him doing it though.
I'll look for the books and DVD.
Alden, what would be your first choice in trainers? I loved the Mark Rashid book I just read. I wish he had a course that was laid out more like Parelli. But I am not a judge of trainers since I have so little experience. I thoroughly enjoyed Mark's attitude toward horses throughout the book. I have only seen trainers in person who are more controlling.
I checked out a book from the library that has all the popular trainers in it. The book is suppose to delineate their similiarities and differences. It is next on my list to read. My husband is reading Parelli's book on Natural Horsemanship.
Thanks again for all the suggestions! I sure do appreciate it!
Dee
|
Member:
Jojo15
|
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 9:58 pm:
Carolina, all these things you mention are cute now... or just small, but they can escalate if not stopped. The nipping is one thing i do not tolerate at any cost.... The pawing? well, mine does it from time to time as a sign for me to hurry up. So i slow down... and she usually only does it at the wash rack. or when i am about to feed she paws at the fence gate. which of course makes more noise and has a bigger effect for her. I toweled the rungs and now her clanging effect didn't work... she stopped pawing... little bugger.
The nipping, i would pinch her without her realizing it was me. She nips, she gets a pinch. so she realizes there is pain in her play, and she should stop. No hitting or yelling, just a quick pinch at the lip area. Important that she doesn't think its coming from you. and it must be timed to that exact moment she nips.
i was told early on that the head rubbing shouldn't be tolerated either. it can get dangerous. hmmm. horse lovin on you. or sign of disrespect.... After a long ride and her muzzle all sweaty and itchy, or when she is just out grazing and comes up to me and wants to use me as a tree to rub an itch, i do let her. BUT, in context to food, i probably wouldn't tolerate it. Or in the stall, in case i was off balance she could push me into the wall or i fall in such a closed area. at times, i have tried bringing a towel with me for these little episodes. but i usually forget.
You just have to determine what you will put up with, for how long, and if you see any escalation because of it. For me, nippins is never tolerated. and it stopped. Head rubbing and pawing i am not consistent with, and well, that 26 years later is still going... grin. but at her age, all i have to do is look at her and she knows what i am thinking.
|
Member:
Christos
|
Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 8:04 am:
You are lucky, Carolina, a horse that actually likes to interact with people is very easy to train.
A smart horse will always find something to occupy himself with when you have not told him to do something else. You can not run after him all the time saying no this and no that.
Give him something to do instead. Try teaching him to stay on ground tie (just the hanging lead rope). Show him that staying where you put him is a job, a game, is fun, it pleases you and if he does it correctly he'll get a scratch and a good word and maybe a carrot.
For playful nipping and pushing you need to train him to lead properly, ie to respect you and your personal space.
Not because disrespect will escalate to aggressiveness, this is rare, but because if he does not respect you and your space it is very dangerous when he spooks or plays and makes further training very difficult.
I wouldn't stop him from playing, I'd just set the rules for the game.
PS: A couple of years ago we came to a surprising agreement with a mare that wouldn't stand for shoeing. I was allowed to do anything with the hooves and she was allowed to fiddle around with the toolbox. She was taking all the tools out one by one, then put them back in, then out again and so on...
|
Member:
Alden
|
Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 6:57 pm:
Dee,
I lean towards Clinton Anderson, but the very best thing is to find a good local trainer. I do both, I have videos but I also have a very good trainer who is a also a friend now.
Try taking some one hour lessons from a few locals. If you feel good about the lesson and more importantly your horse is comfortable with the lesson you may have a good match. Your horse should be happy and comfortable with a trainer after an hour or that probably isn't the right trainer. And I'd stay way away from any gadgets or quick fixes. Horse training isn't rocket science, but it does take gentle compassionate person; and that does rule out many of us
I also agree with Christos 100%, I hate to see a dead lifeless horse and there isn't anything better and easier to train than one that's happy, curious, and full of play.
Now if he could just teach that mare to fix fence with those tools he'd make a million!
Good day,
Alden (HTG)
|
|
|
