getting his own way!!!

[**jeg**]

My horse is a 16.1hh chesnut gelding who is rising 9 in April. Problem is, his previous owner has let him get away with everything since he was 2. When I had the farrier out last week he launched the poor guy across the yard, except as soon as he was gone, he let me pick all 4 feet up in an instant. He rears if he has to be tied up and goes ballistic if i get him anywhere near a stable. I have broken youngsters, and have no problem dealing with naughty babies, but this guy is proving a challenge. Has anyone any advice in dealing with a grumpy old man!! (who only has 2 front shoes on!!!) :confused:

[Reasonsmom]

First of all he is gorgeous! I have one who acts a lot the same way, or did anyway. It was my won fault, I raised him and spoiled him. So since I created a monster I set out to tame him. I figured if he wanted to act like a baby, I would treat him like a baby. I took him and started him from the beginning. We lunged, tied, and did all the other "baby" lessons. He also had a problem trailering. So whenever we sould head for the barn, trailer, or tie and he would act up... back to the round pen. I would lunge him at a lope for 10-15 mins, then we would try again. He began to figure out that bad behavior creates work....not his favorite thing in the world. I took 2 days and he was past it. I think your horse is trying you to see what your made of. Be consistent and he will give up.
I am new here by the way, it would be great to have you as a "friend"...

[**jeg**]

Thank you so much for your reply!! To be fair he got straight in the trailer, but I did have a big bucket of feed!!! The weather in England right now is AWFUL, so I'm only getting the big lad, Harvey is his name!!, twice a week. Well the lunge it is for him! Oh he's so not going to like me tomorrow :) Im definately going to add you to my friend list as we sound like we have alot in common. THANKYOU for your support and advice

[StarGirl]

Yes, I agree with ReasonsMom! My last horse figured out the same thing. he had terrible ground manners, so anytime he would want to walk all over me, we would either back up until he listened to me or turn turn turn turn turn until he listened. He caught on after 2 hours and I never had a problem on the ground with him again. he figured out real quick that if he behaved, he was rewarded (usually a good brushing, a treat, and then a hand graze), and if he didn't, he was put to work... :D

This is him before I gave him away last week to a great home. :)

[**jeg**]

] [COLOR=Purple]Thankyou for your reply, He looks cheeky!!! It really strange, I ve never had such a needy animal, he comes across as a really big hard man but the truth is he is a real ladies man, and likes nothing better than standing with his head on my shoulder!! I think I'm just fustrated that I went for a more mature boy, as I ve had my fill over balshy ponies (although they are fun lol!) The farrier is coming again next week, so I've had to take the day off work to try and get back shoes on. Watch this space, I aint giving up JUST yet!!! :rolleyes: [/COLORThis is him looking hot and tired AAAWWWW

[StarGirl]

Wow, can I just say, I love his halter???? :D

[**jeg**]

yes Harvey got more off santa than I did!!!lol :D
This is our little painted filly Jameilia, isnt she cute!!! ;)

[StarGirl]

OMG I love paints like that!!!!! They're really pricey here in Florida...at the last show, these people had bred two fillys of similar bloodlines, had trained them the exact same way, they were 2 days apart, one was black, $1500 and the other was like yours, and she was $7500!!! :eek: They are gorgeous!

[**jeg**]

They are so so rare over here, she is out of a painted Stallion, who was imported from Holland. She is the first baby to have such amazing markings, I will get a pic tomorrow at the farm for you as she is very pretty!! Unfortunately we lost her mother last year, who was a lovely standard bred chesnut mare. We were all heartbroken. Jam is getting broken this summer which will be a challenge. She LOVES herself, but I love watching a horse like that in the field!!! (the show off will be her American bloodlines eh???lol) Her half brothers from 2004, are liver and white and black and white, there are 4 babies due this spring to the same stallion at the yard when she was born her owner rang me at 5am to come and see her!!!

[aub TVF]

Dear Getting his own way,

This is sounding like a severe disapline problem... What make it even harder is the age.... Like anything, and logic, which tells us the longer he has lived his "own way" the harder the habits will be to break... Something as simple as not standing for the shoer is, and can not be anything less than unacceptable... He sounds like he just has everyones game down... So now it is up to you to pose a new game... A firm hand for starters... Mabey a chain over his nose everytime you deal with him? It seems as though he intimadated his last owner and has establishe a heirarchary... You must reastablish this... Horses are much to big and powerful to think that they have the upper hand... If this ends up being the case... they are more often times than not... dangerous... Start on the ground... Something as simple as he must walk when you walk and when you stop he must follow... If he does not use the chain to remind him who's boss... As for the feet? Practice picking them up and cleaning them with a stick in your hand... If he offers for one moment to disobey... You spank him with your stick... and continue what it was you were after... A nine year old horse should have no problem getting shoes... Again... It sounds as though he has not been instilled with any disapline... Be firm, but kind... and most importantly be persistant... Everyday... and patient... Good Luck... and be safe...