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  Discussion on My filly is too dominant and bossy?
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 5, 2001 - 7:06 am:

She is 2 and a half years old and is extremely dominant. She is not like this with people just with horses.

In the field she is with 20 or so other horses mares and geldings all of which are much larger and older and yet she dominates the whole field. This doesn`t cause much problem but it is when she comes in out of the field the problems start.

Every horse that comes into her sight when she is tied up in the yard she eyes up and begins to tell them what to do. If they come anywhere near her she aims her rear end at them and violently kicks with both legs continuously until they are out of sight. Its is very bazaar behavior because the other horses aren`t even paying any attention to her. One pony fell over in fright from her kicking as even he didn`t expect it.

If she doesn`t stop this I do not see how I can keep her. I want to go to shows and ride out in groups but again she will try to dominate anything she sees and it is not fair on the owners of the other horses.

Any suggestions on how to stop her reacting like this? For such a young age she is the most bossiest over confident horse i`ve known and she seem to have no fears.

Posted on Thursday, Jul 5, 2001 - 10:17 am:

Have you had a full blood work up done on her yet? i would think this is your first step.

My older mare is like this in pasture and paddock and stall. Don't go near here is her attitude. She is aggressive and dominant. but she is fine under saddle. (she will pin the ears back if another horse rubs up against her, but has never kicked).

I don't know how to tell you to fix this but it is possible to have her trained to act accordingly under saddle.

Maybe one of the trainers here could help. But see if her bloodwork indicates something.

Posted on Friday, Jul 6, 2001 - 7:35 pm:

I agree to always check a physical cause before going to behavior modification. It is strange that a filly that age would run a whole pasture.

However, when she is tied, in hand, in a stall, whatever, you should be in control. I haven't dealt with this exact problem but always try to curb inappropriate aggressive behaviour. I'd be afraid that someday I'd be in the wrong place at the wrong time and would get the kick aimed at another horse. At the very least, I believe I would get a lunge whip and tap her rear when she threatened to kick.
Good luck and be sure to look after your own safety first.
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