Ears pinned back....

[dannyboy]

.....invading my space, head shaking and lunging forward aggressively. This is still the kind of behaviour young Casper is displaying on occassion.

I've been carrying out the tips that you gave me re: driving him away (carrying the whip) when he is threatening and this works, he relaxes, is submissive and I can put the lead rope on and walk him nicely. I've been catching him, most times I just pat him or lead him a little and then let him go again. I had thought that he would have realised by now that I won't only catch him to do some work but he's still hard work. I know its early days and he still doesn't know or possibly trust me yet but I am surprised that he is so disrespectful.

I tried to lunge him tonight (first time) and he went Ok on the right side but when I tried to get him on the left he just stood there and when I tried to stand at this side he would move instantly as to avoid the exercise. His ears pinned back and he was standing me out. Rather than end on a bad note I put him back onto the right side which he done well. He may not be very experienced or just doesn't like going on the the left His previous owners told me that he didn't like to canter on the lunge but nothing else. When I brought him in after the lunging, his ears went back, even as a stroked him.

His manners leave alot to be desired. He barges for food, won't stand well for even being groomed and has a habit of nipping / nibbling. I think his previous owners let him away with this behaviour but I want to get it sorted quick smart.

He is such a lovely little pony when haltered and is such fun at all other times. I'll do whatever it takes to get it sorted. What can I do?

Thanks in advance.

[solomon]

Some are just like this. Pete is NEVER loving or cuddly. Barney is ALL the time. They are all so different.

[fimacg]

Brave is a bit like this - I wuldn't expect to see any dramatic changes in his behaviour for at least 6 weeks and even now after two years, Brave's ears still go back when you change his rugs and he tries to bite any new person and will charge them in the field, its his herd and he will protect them, but he is ultimately soppy with me aside from the ears when chaging rugs.

At feed time make him take a step back before you give him is bucket or hay by walking straight up to him square shouldered and looking him in the eye before giving him the bucket, it means you control the food as a more dominant horse would.

the only other thing I would say is be careful of the whip as it could make him whip shy, I tend to just use body language and my arms to make me look bigger or the end or a lead rope to drive them away (not the clip end) but aside from that it sounds like you are on the right track.

with the lunging it could be stubborness but every horse has one rein it prefers, if he tries this again walk up to him and lead him on a circle in the direction you want him to go and then gradually let the line out ad move away, one step at a time, make sure your shouders face the way you want him to go.doesnt matter if to start with the circle is not perfect nor if he is not at the end of the line if he is going.

[jack]

sounds just like sam

[fleabitten]

I like your attitude DB ;D You are right to want to sort these issues out. Good advice from Fi.

If he barges when leading immediately back him up. I dont know a good tip for making them stand to be groomed except to stop grooming when he fidgets and correct his position (i.e. straight facing the tie ring). Or maybe that would teach him that you would stop brushing when he fidgets? Anyone got any ideas on this.

As for nibbling - i wouldnt feed him any treats and if he goes to bite i would just say no in a firm voice and raise my hand/elbow - dominating body language etc.

[brigadier]

They are all different, some stand quiet to be groomed, some dance about, same for rugs, feed, well everything actually, it depends what behaviour you are prepared to accept and what not, but you cant make him like something if he simply doesnt. However he does have to do as he is told, so he should for example stand when you ask him so keep reinforcing the things that are important. Remember thepressure point on the chest for barging? Use that as opposed to shoving- they soon learn. Nipping and nibbling may take longer but be consistent. He may always be a bit clever in the field, but as long as you cope with it (mine nearly killed me the other day- but thats another story!) then thats fine. As for the lungeing, they do have to respect what you are doing. Use a shorter rein on the side he is naughty so you are closer and make sure you dont stand in front of the movement, so you are closer his bum than his front and be quite purposeful with the lungeing whip- it represents your leg so if he doesnt respond give him a smart tap- he may explode but as long as he goes forward then thats ok.

[haffyfan]

I think you need to do some ground work and get control of his feet. In doing this you will get 'control' of him and be able to teach him to respect your space.

Many different thoughts on the best way of doing this...who knows which is right/wrong...I would just say make sure you are always consistent and he always understands what is expected....needless to say many people change the parameters during these early stages and end up with a very confused horse who is not being difficult just doesn't understand what is being asked.

[dannyboy]

Thanks everyone, I'll put all your advice into practice. Its good to know that the issues I face is not necessarily something that needs or can be completely corrected. I keep forgetting that all horses are different, I think I'm so used to Murphy who is very obedient and submissive.

Fi, I tried walking him in the direction I want him to go but as soon as I ask him to go himself he just stands and faces me. He seems to be 10 steps ahead of me all the time ;D I used to swing the lead rope and wave my arms around with Murphy and this works well with him but Casper just lunges and doesn't respect it. I haven't used the whip , only carry it and this seems to work eventually.

I watched a clip on YT and it said that you should pull the head to get the pony started but I admit I did try this as well but without success.
Brig, I will give that a go, although I am struggling with even getting near his bottom. The clip on YT said to rub his shoulder and gradually but push him out with the whip but he seems very cute and doesn't even let me rub his shoulder, just looks at me straight on.
I think I wasn't using the whip appropriately, I didn't touch him with it and I think he knew I was playing nicey nicey.

Haffy, I get your point with consistency. I try to do it the same but I notice that my hubby tends to take different approaches (him nearly always coming away at a loss). I can see how this is very confusing to Casper. Sorry for my ignorance but what did you mean by control of his feet? Do you mean moving him around or lifting his feet? Sorry, I'm probably dopey asking this

Thanks again folks, I really appreciate your advice and guidance.

[jack]

what about useing a dually halter on him

[haffyfan]

yes DB I meant getting him to move about - back up, move over/sidepass etc. This should eventually help with his standing still as standing still will become his reward...when he is a good boy you don't hassle him and horses are like men they like an easy life!

For backing you can also use 'shake the rope' to get them to back if they ignore a subtle cue...how 'loud' you are depends on the horse but they generally get the idea pretty quick. Once they will back up for you getting the side/forward movement is relatively simple as horses naturally don't like going backwards (they can't see whats behind them waiting to get them simple as that just a natural instinct to stay safe)

[dannyboy]

Thanks Haffy. I will try this but tbh, I'd be nervous to hassle him as he's already pretty bad tempered when I just stand there

I sat in the yard this morning and just looked about in the different direction from him. He came up, ears back, shaking his head, started to nibble (I don't think it was to bite ) and then turned his rear to me. I got out I don't know this pony and I was frightened he would kick out. This is probably the worst thing I could have done but I just panicked.

What can I do re: the nibbling (biting)? I've raised my voice and tap him on the nose but he keeps doing it.

[haffyfan]

The little monkey sounds like he is really trying it on!

Have you tried a metal curry comb for the biting? Let him make contact with it when he goes to bite you - should learn it's a silly thing to do but make sure he makes contact with it of his accord so he doesn't think you've hit him with it...like when your elbow etc 'accidently' gets in their way when they sometimes get a bit pushy, always make it appear accidential!

btw by hassle (bad choice of word I guess) I simply meant you stop asking him to do anything at all - just let him stand and be ... that is then his reward for behaving and doing as you asked previously.

If you can get hold of them (library?) I would recommend reading Mark Rashid or Tom Widdicombe (sp), maybe Michael peace....the first two especially don't 'teach' but they share stories which may give you food for thought. I'm a big Rashid fan! Here's his website

[FirenLady]

He does sound just like Luna when we first got here. Couldn't catch her for two days, she'd bite, rear, charge at you. Everyone has given you lots of good advice At least he is only small and not murphy size.

[dannyboy]

Thanks Haffy, I've been reading alot of material from the internet and from old YH & H&H mags etc. I've heard alot of good things about Mark Rashid, so no doubt I will be purchasing this in the near future

His behaviour continued tonight but I feel like I made some progress. I pushed him away, over and over until he stood nice, I gave him a pat and said 'good boy'. I've been rubbing him all over and stood not too bad. When he went to nibble I pulled down on the head collar twice and said "No, stand nice". If he pulled away or moved, I continued to push him away, only rewarding when he stood nice. Hopefully if I'm consistant, it will work.


FL, the smaller they are the quicker they can move ;D Its definitely less intimidating tho!!

[brigadier]

Water pistols, the small cheap ones are invaluable for biters- when he goes to bite a surreptitious squirt will suprise him, try not to let him see what you are up to though. Also by not looking at him you are unintentionally encouraging him into your space, keep your body square to his line of sight and look at him, wave your arms to make him move aside, also using a coiled rope- longer than a lead rope but shorter than a lungeline, flap it at your side after youve raised your arms then if he still doesnt get out your face fling it at him, like its a striking snake, let it make contact if necessary! They hate that for obvious reasons!

[haffyfan]

Sounds like you have made a little breakthrough there DB...I'm sure you'll have him on side in no time.

[dannyboy]

Thanks Brig, I'll need to get to the pound shop ;D

Thanks Haffy, I think I am getting on better with Casper. However I don't want to jinx myself - I know its going to take plenty of time.

[fimacg]

glads you feel you are getting somewhere.

How is the big fella doing?