He's changing.

dreamcleaner · 07-28-2008, 06:33 AM

My lovely darling Riley seems to be undergoing a personality change.

From running to me, I have to go to him. Sometimes he walks away from me. Bridling has become difficult. (yes checked his teeth, need to be done in the next six months) so switched to bitless, so/so. Will only go backwards. (It was bareback the last couple of times and was a little nervous about pushing too much, plus limited time. A few steps forwad and I let it go) He tried to bite my foot when I wanted him to go forward. He did bite me yesterday while farrier was doing his feet. Not hard, but he'd been trying for a bit. From being a breeze with spraying and picking burrs, he's gotten difficult. From standing like a rock when getting needled he turned in circles. We don't even want to mention worming.

Now, in all honestly between work, and rain, even feeding lately seems to be done more by everybody else. Plus Kovey now in the mix so my attention is divided. Would this have anything to do with it? Outside of bugs and miserable weather I can't think of anything else making him so short tempered. Oh, and I haven't had a lesson in about 6 weeks. (Wasn't selling and couldn't afford it, have one scheduled for this coming Sunday)

breburtch · 07-28-2008, 08:40 AM

When he gets nippy or starts misbehaving what do you do?

It could be jealousy with the new horse or he could have a sore back or maybe even leg/shoulder etc and thats why he got nippy when the farrier was with him.

**taelesean** · 07-28-2008, 09:40 AM

Really, it sounds like he's been getting away with far too much and is slowly loosing respect for humans. Unless you can find a pain issue, I'd say back to the round pen and off to work for him. Even if there is some pain issue, I suspect the behaviour won't completely clear up once the discomfort is rectified - it's become a habbit.

DappleGrayMyWay · 07-28-2008, 09:42 AM

How old is Riley? Sometimes if they're in a life changing age (think, the teen years for humans) that can alter their thought processes. Depending on breed, that's between ages 4 and 7.

If the herd dynamic has shifted, he might be trying to re-assert his position by trying out some of those aggressive behaviors.

Your consistency needs to remain the rock he can depend on. If you've always treated him a certain way, stick with it. But, raise your expectations, in that you know he knows better than to pull that stuff with you, he better shape up right now. It might mean taking more time for things, like catching him; make that fun and challenging for him, then reclaim that " oh joy! run to my person" thing.

The weather can be a factor, if he's always hot and miserable and uncomfortable, the prospect of working on top of that isn't a nice one. Add on the bugs and you've got a situation where no one wants to be sweating. Plus, with the heat, the bug bites are even more unpleasant with the itching and nipping.

Evaluate for pain as well, in the back and feet.

Good luck!

cascy · 07-28-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taelesean

Really, it sounds like he's been getting away with far too much and is slowly loosing respect for humans. Unless you can find a pain issue, I'd say back to the round pen and off to work for him. Even if there is some pain issue, I suspect the behaviour won't completely clear up once the discomfort is rectified - it's become a habbit.

My thoughts exactly. He sounds like he is losing respect and needs a refresher course.

dreamcleaner · 07-28-2008, 10:54 AM

I won't tolerate disrepect. He will still stop when I go out with feed. He won't cross a certain point unless I allow it. He has just turned six. He's smart, he did the biting at me while John was at the critical part of shoes. Fortunately, when he did actually get me, John put his foot down and he got wacked.

And actually his foot WAS sore. He blew his shoe Friday evening. John was out Sunday morning. He was tender with slight bruising on it.

He's never round penned, don't have one, he's never needed it. Punishment is swift, just usually no call for it. I also miss him running to me. All I had to do was call him, even if from a window he would head straight to the gate to look for me.

JosieGirl · 07-28-2008, 12:39 PM

Sounds like this is bothering you for emotional reasons.... I'm sorry. If he is 6, he could just be going through another stage... otherwise, I would have to agree with a couple of the others. Reinforce respect and what you expect of him... give him a job and a reason to bond with you.

dreamcleaner · 07-29-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JosieGirl

Sounds like this is bothering you for emotional reasons.... I'm sorry. If he is 6, he could just be going through another stage... otherwise, I would have to agree with a couple of the others. Reinforce respect and what you expect of him... give him a job and a reason to bond with you.

Yeah, a bit. He's just been so easy. Always willing, always trying, always good. Following me around, we even played hide and seek in the field. (when overgrown areas). My instructor has commented on how he can't believe how well Riley takes care of 'me' If I rode the riding lawnmower he would trot along behind me. Not really much has changed, other than I don't get as much time as I had hoped with him now he's home, but when he was boarded and I only saw him once a week he always came to me. (except for a short period where I honestly felt he was ticked at me) Once he realized I was still coming around he went back to coming when he saw me. I haven't changed the things I do or how I do them, other than there is another horse that is mine in the mix. But even that isn't a first. Just been a while.

The age thing is a little interesting. Could that be explained a bit more? I wasn't aware ages could cause changes. I always thought "wow, how great will he be when he matures some"

HUnterJumper1 · 07-29-2008, 10:05 AM

How old is he? 'cause he might (this is a totally guess) be deciding to become the "herd leader" and is testing your disapline(sp), and power as the leader. 'Cause if it's not a medical problem it could be that. He could be growing, like bones or stuff and as pain from that. I don't know if Horses get growing pains, but no suggestion can hurt, right? That's my two cents worth. Hope you find your answer soon.

Carri · 07-29-2008, 11:29 AM

I wonder if him not running to you anymore might be related to the fact that he now has Kovey for companionship?

dreamcleaner · 07-29-2008, 03:39 PM

No, he has always come to me. Even with other horses. This has just been the last couple of weeks. Unless he see's food or a halter, he just looks at me

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07-28-2008, 06:33 AM
dreamcleaner Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ontario Posts: 2,452	He's changing. My lovely darling Riley seems to be undergoing a personality change. From running to me, I have to go to him. Sometimes he walks away from me. Bridling has become difficult. (yes checked his teeth, need to be done in the next six months) so switched to bitless, so/so. Will only go backwards. (It was bareback the last couple of times and was a little nervous about pushing too much, plus limited time. A few steps forwad and I let it go) He tried to bite my foot when I wanted him to go forward. He did bite me yesterday while farrier was doing his feet. Not hard, but he'd been trying for a bit. From being a breeze with spraying and picking burrs, he's gotten difficult. From standing like a rock when getting needled he turned in circles. We don't even want to mention worming. Now, in all honestly between work, and rain, even feeding lately seems to be done more by everybody else. Plus Kovey now in the mix so my attention is divided. Would this have anything to do with it? Outside of bugs and miserable weather I can't think of anything else making him so short tempered. Oh, and I haven't had a lesson in about 6 weeks. (Wasn't selling and couldn't afford it, have one scheduled for this coming Sunday)

07-28-2008, 08:40 AM
breburtch Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 2,910	When he gets nippy or starts misbehaving what do you do? It could be jealousy with the new horse or he could have a sore back or maybe even leg/shoulder etc and thats why he got nippy when the farrier was with him.

07-28-2008, 09:40 AM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,319	Really, it sounds like he's been getting away with far too much and is slowly loosing respect for humans. Unless you can find a pain issue, I'd say back to the round pen and off to work for him. Even if there is some pain issue, I suspect the behaviour won't completely clear up once the discomfort is rectified - it's become a habbit. __________________

07-28-2008, 09:42 AM
DappleGrayMyWay Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC (Asheville) Posts: 1,499	How old is Riley? Sometimes if they're in a life changing age (think, the teen years for humans) that can alter their thought processes. Depending on breed, that's between ages 4 and 7. If the herd dynamic has shifted, he might be trying to re-assert his position by trying out some of those aggressive behaviors. Your consistency needs to remain the rock he can depend on. If you've always treated him a certain way, stick with it. But, raise your expectations, in that you know he knows better than to pull that stuff with you, he better shape up right now. It might mean taking more time for things, like catching him; make that fun and challenging for him, then reclaim that " oh joy! run to my person" thing. The weather can be a factor, if he's always hot and miserable and uncomfortable, the prospect of working on top of that isn't a nice one. Add on the bugs and you've got a situation where no one wants to be sweating. Plus, with the heat, the bug bites are even more unpleasant with the itching and nipping. Evaluate for pain as well, in the back and feet. Good luck! __________________ My sanity is with my horse, and if you see them, please send them back to the barn. Tule Pepper Dillon Blog : http://tulepepperdillon.blogspot.com/

07-28-2008, 10:54 AM
dreamcleaner Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ontario Posts: 2,452	I won't tolerate disrepect. He will still stop when I go out with feed. He won't cross a certain point unless I allow it. He has just turned six. He's smart, he did the biting at me while John was at the critical part of shoes. Fortunately, when he did actually get me, John put his foot down and he got wacked. And actually his foot WAS sore. He blew his shoe Friday evening. John was out Sunday morning. He was tender with slight bruising on it. He's never round penned, don't have one, he's never needed it. Punishment is swift, just usually no call for it. I also miss him running to me. All I had to do was call him, even if from a window he would head straight to the gate to look for me.

07-28-2008, 12:39 PM
JosieGirl Long Yearling Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,053	Sounds like this is bothering you for emotional reasons.... I'm sorry. If he is 6, he could just be going through another stage... otherwise, I would have to agree with a couple of the others. Reinforce respect and what you expect of him... give him a job and a reason to bond with you.

07-29-2008, 10:05 AM
HUnterJumper1 Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 174	How old is he? 'cause he might (this is a totally guess) be deciding to become the "herd leader" and is testing your disapline(sp), and power as the leader. 'Cause if it's not a medical problem it could be that. He could be growing, like bones or stuff and as pain from that. I don't know if Horses get growing pains, but no suggestion can hurt, right? That's my two cents worth. Hope you find your answer soon. __________________ There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~Winston Churchill

07-29-2008, 11:29 AM
Carri Pasture Pet Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 13,647	I wonder if him not running to you anymore might be related to the fact that he now has Kovey for companionship?

07-29-2008, 03:39 PM
dreamcleaner Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ontario Posts: 2,452	No, he has always come to me. Even with other horses. This has just been the last couple of weeks. Unless he see's food or a halter, he just looks at me