Advice re. horse with TERRIBLE stable manners...

[pekover]

So I started taking riding lessons last year after almost twenty years out of the saddle. It's great to get back to it, and I've really been enjoying myself, and I'm looking to get more involved than my one-or-two lessons a week.

So, maybe I'll just try to part board a horse, but...

Comments

[allfoolsinlove]

Unfortunately, while it could be possible for her manners to be improved, there's also a very good chance that's just the way she is, and that it won't change.

I've met alot of horses like that, and in my experience, their manners can definitely be improved, but their personality isn't going to change. The horses I've ridden who nip or kick, or are just pushy in general and try to be the boss - they learn to respect and tolerate me or whoever is working with them, and behave, but they aren't any more affectionate than before. Some horses love attention from people, others could care less.

On the other hand, sometimes lesson horses just get sour and irritable, or are so use to having multiple riders that they aren't particularly affectionate because they don't bond with one person. So that could change once it was just her with one rider.

[chiquita522]

My mare snaps sometimes, but always with a known trigger. If I was looking at buying a horse with the attitude you've described, I'd walk away. She's older and even with the most consistant training, the possibility of breaking her from these habits is slim.

I can appericate wanting to take the mare because her issues are going to make her hard to sell. At least you are very aware of her attitude.

[harnessphoto]

I work with a lot of abuse cases. Horses who have been abused are fearful. Horses who have been abused for a long time often convert that fear into aggression

[harnessphoto]

(this is all said with the assumption that this mare has been checked for physical issues that may be causing the behavior... cow kicking and biting can often be signs of pain or discomfort)

[allfoolsinlove]

Same with cow kicking. If she kicks you (and I'll get flamed for saying this) kick her back.

You're braver than I am! I do the same thing, and thought about mentioning that but I was like, hmm rather not have to zip on the flamesuit thank you very much.

[harnessphoto]

I pretty much kick ass in a flame war, plus I don't really give a shit what people think, so I've got nothing to lose. Thanks for backing me up :)

[candysgirl]

It depends what you can live with whether or not you should buy her. If you want a horse that will be in your pocket cuddly, she's probably not for you

[ihorse]

You know, sometimes I think that nasty horses are just tired of living in a barn with lots of people always coming and going, being ridden by many people, etc. Just pasturing her full time and letting her be a one-person horse may make the world of difference, but she could have some real medical problems going on, so I would suggest having a professional come look at her.

[squidypoo]

I also agree with this.