Annoying Pasture Mates

chukker4 · 09-04-2008, 08:10 PM

So I board my two horses at a wonderful place that I really enjoy, but this summer I have encountered a problem....my horses' new pasture mates suck, for lack of a better term! Well mainly one of them.

It is a pony/arab cross filly, about 18 months old, and it is super food aggressive, charges me with its ears pinned, has crashed into and bit me a few times, and has even tried to kick me or my horses when I catch them. If I try to chase it away, it just keeps charging in. She is always in my space, cuts in front of my horses while I am leading them, and constantly tries to crash the gate and escape when I am going through. It also has been out numerous times, and even though I hate the stupid thing I feel compelled to catch it so that it doesn't end up on the highway. The owner is never around either, so she is no help to the matter.

What can I do to deter this behavior?

I have tried chasing her off, I never give her treats, I even threw a halter at her once because she was charging on in. I do not bring treats out into the field anymore either. I have never encountered a horse this rude before. You try to push her away and she doesn't budge.

At present I cannot move my horses into a different pen because they are all in use, but a few horses are leaving at the end of Sept. and there will be a couple open. Any ideas to tide us over?

**taelesean** · 09-04-2008, 08:26 PM

Take your crop or carrot stick with you when you go to catch your horses, and pop the offender as needed for your safety. You can do the same with a lead rope, but a carrot stick works better as there is more control.

Defend your personal space and that horse will respect you.

Slim Pikkens · 09-04-2008, 09:22 PM

I hope she knows what a carrot stick is. That translates into a good stout stick about 4' long. Willow is great. When you see this filly coming toward you in an aggressive manner, walk toward her with a look on your face like you plan on thrashing her to a pulp. Then smack her hard high on the neck to turn her. If she turns her butt whack her hard on the top of the rump. An older mare would bite her hard so put some hurtin into it, not a tap. She has no respect for you but she should have after this. She may test you a few more times so keep the stick with you at all times. In future the sight of it may be the deterrent.

GreyDot · 09-04-2008, 09:36 PM

Absolutely, Slim is right. A good whip or stick - and a loud voice. Whichever end comes at you first is the end that gets a good smack - and a LOUD yell. "Don't even THINK about it!!!" works well for me, when threatening. And don't be afraid to throw clumps of dirt, either, if she starts to come your way. The minute she starts coming at you, go at HER instead. She's young, and being a spoiled brat and a punk, and there is obviously no lead mare to put the fear of God into her and teach her some manners - so it falls to you to be in the lead mare's place, and to let the filly know where the line is.

I would also be addressing the issue with the barn owner or manager IN WRITING - better to have them deal with the filly, than to deal with you getting hurt! You might want to point out that you have already been bitten, and mention specifically that you don't want to have to bill the filly's owner for your or your horse's medical bills.

In the meantime, get yourself that good stick or whip, even a manure fork will do, and be careful. The end of the month will be here soon!

chukker4 · 09-04-2008, 10:07 PM

I do yell at her, and have cranked her with a lunge whip a few times, but maybe I will just have to start bringing it every time. Sigh. She is at her worst when I am touching or catching/leading one of my horses, and I don't really like the idea of yelling and swinging a whip around at those times because I don't want them to think it is directed at them. I must admit that when she tried to push by my mare at the gate today I kicked her in the chest and she backed off pretty quick. She ducks under the other horses necks since she is about 11-12 hands and the other horses are all between 15-16.2 hands. She is never aggressive towards other horses, just people.

You are right about putting it in writing, GD. That is something I didn't think of, but should do. I hate being "that boarder" who complains, but I am sick of this stupid horse. I feel like I am always complaining about this owner, although the reasons are legit and others have complained about her too.

libbytn · 09-04-2008, 10:18 PM

You won't be able to complain if you're in the hospital (or worse) because of this horse. She could injure someone else and you'd feel bad for not saying anything. Just be nice when you write the letter and you won't be a complainer just someone stating a fact!

chukker4 · 09-04-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by libbytn

You won't be able to complain if you're in the hospital (or worse) because of this horse. She could injure someone else and you'd feel bad for not saying anything. Just be nice when you write the letter and you won't be a complainer just someone stating a fact!

Good point!

GreyDot · 09-04-2008, 11:56 PM

Well, it might be better to be "that complaining boarder" than "that boarder that got kicked in the head"

Crookedblaze · 09-05-2008, 12:36 AM

I have to agree with Greydot - better safe then sorry.

That little filly needs some manners, and fast. What would happen to her in an emergency situation? The person dealing with her would be screwed.

I have no problem giving a horse a smack if it puts me or my horse in direct danger. That filly is taking it way overboard, she is not only being annoying, she is dangerous. As annoying as it is, I'd bring a lungewhip out every time.

Nothing more that you can do.

Slim Pikkens · 09-05-2008, 05:11 AM

I'd call and meet with the owner first and see how this might be resolved in an amicable way. For some reason people get their hackles up with a written letter. It's easy to write as it's non-confrontational but I think in this case it may backfire and you'll wind up looking for a new place to board. Perhaps offer to put a little time on this filly if the owner has time constraints. It may go a long way to a good relationship with both filly and owner.

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09-04-2008, 08:10 PM
chukker4 Halter broke Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberts Posts: 60	Annoying Pasture Mates So I board my two horses at a wonderful place that I really enjoy, but this summer I have encountered a problem....my horses' new pasture mates suck, for lack of a better term! Well mainly one of them. It is a pony/arab cross filly, about 18 months old, and it is super food aggressive, charges me with its ears pinned, has crashed into and bit me a few times, and has even tried to kick me or my horses when I catch them. If I try to chase it away, it just keeps charging in. She is always in my space, cuts in front of my horses while I am leading them, and constantly tries to crash the gate and escape when I am going through. It also has been out numerous times, and even though I hate the stupid thing I feel compelled to catch it so that it doesn't end up on the highway. The owner is never around either, so she is no help to the matter. What can I do to deter this behavior? I have tried chasing her off, I never give her treats, I even threw a halter at her once because she was charging on in. I do not bring treats out into the field anymore either. I have never encountered a horse this rude before. You try to push her away and she doesn't budge. At present I cannot move my horses into a different pen because they are all in use, but a few horses are leaving at the end of Sept. and there will be a couple open. Any ideas to tide us over?

09-04-2008, 08:26 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,638	Take your crop or carrot stick with you when you go to catch your horses, and pop the offender as needed for your safety. You can do the same with a lead rope, but a carrot stick works better as there is more control. Defend your personal space and that horse will respect you. __________________

09-04-2008, 09:22 PM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,936	I hope she knows what a carrot stick is. That translates into a good stout stick about 4' long. Willow is great. When you see this filly coming toward you in an aggressive manner, walk toward her with a look on your face like you plan on thrashing her to a pulp. Then smack her hard high on the neck to turn her. If she turns her butt whack her hard on the top of the rump. An older mare would bite her hard so put some hurtin into it, not a tap. She has no respect for you but she should have after this. She may test you a few more times so keep the stick with you at all times. In future the sight of it may be the deterrent.

09-04-2008, 09:36 PM
GreyDot Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Between AZ and OH Posts: 2,273	Absolutely, Slim is right. A good whip or stick - and a loud voice. Whichever end comes at you first is the end that gets a good smack - and a LOUD yell. "Don't even THINK about it!!!" works well for me, when threatening. And don't be afraid to throw clumps of dirt, either, if she starts to come your way. The minute she starts coming at you, go at HER instead. She's young, and being a spoiled brat and a punk, and there is obviously no lead mare to put the fear of God into her and teach her some manners - so it falls to you to be in the lead mare's place, and to let the filly know where the line is. I would also be addressing the issue with the barn owner or manager IN WRITING - better to have them deal with the filly, than to deal with you getting hurt! You might want to point out that you have already been bitten, and mention specifically that you don't want to have to bill the filly's owner for your or your horse's medical bills. In the meantime, get yourself that good stick or whip, even a manure fork will do, and be careful. The end of the month will be here soon! __________________ ...There is nothing to be done till a horse's head is settled. ~William Cavendish Stuipid CAN be fixed... you just have to hit it hard enough! ~A rare moment of inspiration

09-04-2008, 10:07 PM
chukker4 Halter broke Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberts Posts: 60	I do yell at her, and have cranked her with a lunge whip a few times, but maybe I will just have to start bringing it every time. Sigh. She is at her worst when I am touching or catching/leading one of my horses, and I don't really like the idea of yelling and swinging a whip around at those times because I don't want them to think it is directed at them. I must admit that when she tried to push by my mare at the gate today I kicked her in the chest and she backed off pretty quick. She ducks under the other horses necks since she is about 11-12 hands and the other horses are all between 15-16.2 hands. She is never aggressive towards other horses, just people. You are right about putting it in writing, GD. That is something I didn't think of, but should do. I hate being "that boarder" who complains, but I am sick of this stupid horse. I feel like I am always complaining about this owner, although the reasons are legit and others have complained about her too.

09-04-2008, 10:18 PM
libbytn Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Atoka, Tn Posts: 342	You won't be able to complain if you're in the hospital (or worse) because of this horse. She could injure someone else and you'd feel bad for not saying anything. Just be nice when you write the letter and you won't be a complainer just someone stating a fact!

09-04-2008, 11:56 PM
GreyDot Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Between AZ and OH Posts: 2,273	Well, it might be better to be "that complaining boarder" than "that boarder that got kicked in the head" __________________ ...There is nothing to be done till a horse's head is settled. ~William Cavendish Stuipid CAN be fixed... you just have to hit it hard enough! ~A rare moment of inspiration

09-05-2008, 12:36 AM
Crookedblaze Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,360	I have to agree with Greydot - better safe then sorry. That little filly needs some manners, and fast. What would happen to her in an emergency situation? The person dealing with her would be screwed. I have no problem giving a horse a smack if it puts me or my horse in direct danger. That filly is taking it way overboard, she is not only being annoying, she is dangerous. As annoying as it is, I'd bring a lungewhip out every time. Nothing more that you can do. __________________ Owned by Rocketman, a 17 year old AQHA and Stormy, a 10 year old Peruvian Paso x Arab

09-05-2008, 05:11 AM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,936	I'd call and meet with the owner first and see how this might be resolved in an amicable way. For some reason people get their hackles up with a written letter. It's easy to write as it's non-confrontational but I think in this case it may backfire and you'll wind up looking for a new place to board. Perhaps offer to put a little time on this filly if the owner has time constraints. It may go a long way to a good relationship with both filly and owner.