saza60
Whipper Snapper
Posts: 145
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Post by saza60 on May 1, 2009 20:13:24 GMT
Lexi turned one the other week and so far i have been kicked, jumped on and her cornered against the fence in the field!!! At 6 months old i was picking her feet out grooming her and doning all the things with her that i wanted. She was fantastic, but in the last few weeks something has triggered in her head. I cant even tie her up without her "flipping out". Everytime i go to do anything with her she TERRIFYS me and i kno that she can tell. I just dont kno what to do. i feel like giving up on her. I dont wanna but i dont know what else to do. Please if anyone has any advice for me i will try anything at the moment this is getting me down so much.
thanx
saza
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Post by scattymare on May 1, 2009 21:06:43 GMT
Hmm can't really help too much as not had a problem with agression before. Only thing I can say is make sure theres no physical reason for it - ie pain anywhere.
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saza60
Whipper Snapper
Posts: 145
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Post by saza60 on May 1, 2009 21:27:19 GMT
no its nothing like that! ive eliminated that 1 already!
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Post by jack on May 1, 2009 21:41:30 GMT
1, could it be her feed or the nice new grass which will do it every time she knows how you feel which will proberly make it all seem worse ive been through the same with george you might have to start at the begining again and show her who the boss is coz at the mo she is im not very good with words so i find explaning this very difficult so im realy hopeing one of the others will help explan things
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saza60
Whipper Snapper
Posts: 145
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Post by saza60 on May 1, 2009 21:59:45 GMT
hi jack thanx for ur reply. how exctly would i show her whos boss. i havent any experience with youngsters and lexi came as a complete supprise to all of us. x
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Post by florence on May 1, 2009 22:28:10 GMT
I really can't be of any real help, only to say that I've seen this happen time and again with friends and it's the reason I would never have a youngster! It's usually a phase (like adolescence) and she's trying to see how far she can push you - trying to be the dominant one.
Sorry I can't give any advice on how to deal with it but I'm sure there are several on here that can. I just wanted to reassure you that it's unlikely she's going through a complete personality change for no reason and that with perseverance they do come through it. All the best.
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Post by fleabitten on May 2, 2009 8:47:18 GMT
Ok - I think to make you feel more confident you should always make sure you are wearing good sturdy boots, a pair of gloves and your riding hat - a body protector might make you feel a bit safer as well.
I have absolutely no experience with youngsters and I think that sort of thing would terrify me as well. I think the way that you should show her that you are in control is to make sure she does everything you want her to do. Hopefully with some protective gear on you will feel more confident.
Im not really of much help here, sorry!
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Post by fimacg on May 2, 2009 13:05:19 GMT
make her respect your space, take a leadrope down to the field with you and swing it out at her if she is threatening (make sure you keep the clip end in your hand) it will act like an irritated tail swish from mum or a you get her a bit harder then a kick.
You basically need to control the space about you and allow her in and not let her dominate you by being bargey and agreesive. When leadin have her on a longer line than usual and if she pulls of try to get at a 45 degree angle to her so you can pull her back around to face you.
hope that helps
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Post by jack on May 2, 2009 13:28:40 GMT
join up by monty roberts is a realy good place to start is there anyone who could help you as i said ive had all these problem with george and i just could give up ( not in my nature to) i ended geting some one in to help then they put me in touch with someone that does natrul horsemanship and i must say it realy has helped im confident to go in the field with him and to lead him around ect with no problems he knocked my confidence by bargeing into me and rearing ect the main thing is not to be soft with her never ever feed her by hand cut out any treats and i was told to stop giving him carrots for 2 months because some horses react to them like some kids do to blue smatties (sorry cant spell) so he has been of all carrots had no mints and i havent fed him anything by hand now for about 4 weeks and there is a diffrents he is allowed apples
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zoe
Apprentice Poo Picker
Posts: 277
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Post by zoe on May 2, 2009 20:50:44 GMT
Eye contact is a good way of getting them to back off but you need to really mean it, make yourself bigger and drive them away. When Sky was younger (she's about 3.5 now) she went through a dangerous phase, it wasn't aggression, she wanted to play but would charge at you and follow you and bite. I didn't have her then, my mum did and it scared her. Does your youngster have other pony friends? it helps if they can play with others.
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ceej
Administrator
im back.... :)
Posts: 5,363
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Post by ceej on May 3, 2009 18:55:19 GMT
Could it be her first season? That can bring on jeckell and Hyde tendancies, I dont know how young mares start their seasons?
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ceej
Administrator
im back.... :)
Posts: 5,363
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Post by ceej on May 3, 2009 18:57:11 GMT
Yup - maybeshe has hit puberty!? First Time Q When will my two-year old mare have her first season? A Every mare is different and the timing of her first season will depend on her growth rate and individual make-up. Most mares come into season for the first time during their first or second year.
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Post by brigadier on May 5, 2009 12:59:00 GMT
She sounds as though she is going through a phase, probably brought on by hormones but regardless of the reasons she needs to see you as boss. Like Fi has explained make a point about leading and personal space as a starter and progress from there. Joandlad recommended the Kelly Marks books for behavioural problems and Ive looked through and they seem really good so maybe use sdomething like these as a reference. Ive not had a baby youngster for a while but I was always really firm with them, no treats to encourage nipping and when they got very naughty (biting or kicking) I would punch them on the neck which replicates the closed teeth punch of a dominant herd animal (its not physical abuse- its a way of telling them their behaviour is unacceptable in a way they understand)
I know you have flirted with parelli and I cant really comment on their young horse methods but whatever you choose, stick with it and youll soon see results.
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fallible
Apprentice Poo Picker
Chase the clouds across the sky and terrorise the sun
Posts: 269
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Post by fallible on May 6, 2009 10:59:40 GMT
Youngsters constantly test the pecking order. Have delt with a lot of young horses over the years and it always happens to varying degrees. Don't panic or give up. I worked Pepper a yearling a lot last year for showing, he had a holiday over the winter but had to give him a reminder at theweekend as he was starting to get pushy. Kelly Marks, Richard Maxwell,Monty Roberts and Natural Horsemanship are all good places to lift ideas from. Ideally you could do with a kind but competant person (who has experience of youngsters and that you like what you see of them) to show you a few pointers. Always wear protective gear, its easier if you are more confident that you are not going to strip the skin off your hands etc. Always remember who bought the food in the bucket, it is YOURS, therefore your horse only eats when you want it to. Which is where body language comes in, its what a dominant mare would do. Have a stick with you, don't wave it in its face but use it to make it move off whether food is on the ground or you just want to walk accross the field. When leading, be totally focused. He/she stops when you stop. He/she walks on when you walk on. The time you put in on the ground making your beastie aware that you come first in all things, will bring dividends in the field too. Could go on and on, hope some of this helps.
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Post by racaille on May 6, 2009 15:57:42 GMT
All brilliant advice above and as everyone points out, consistency is the key. But no matter how wonderful they are for a while, it seems all youngsters 'test' the limits from time to time. I've had Racaille since he was nine months old and we've been through the lot - and still are!!! I found Brig's two finger jab in the chest very very good for stopping him being bargy in hand and when he was in a nipping phase (I think they all go through this to 'try' out what's good to eat) I too did the punch and very useful it was too. I know you don't want to frighten her to death but she does need to respect you or, as you say, she will be dangerous without (I'm sure) meaning to be. But don't lose heart - it's not a very nice phase but you'll get her out of it. Good luck
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haffyfan
Administrator
is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
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Post by haffyfan on May 6, 2009 18:22:08 GMT
Great advice from above...I have had terrible ones, twos, threes, fours, fives.... you get the idea.
He's 9 now and although has grown a partial brain is still difficult at times and throws himself around if things are not going his way.
I don't feel I can offer advice as Murph still often runs rings around me, but Just be consistant with her and one day you will notice an improvement (even if it's slight).
Think I have a vid somewhere of murph having a paddy about loading (he is usually a very good loader!) so will try and load it later just so you don't feel alone in this!
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