Question of the day!

BklynCwgrl · 10-31-2009, 12:43 PM

Angel has begun backing up towards me to have her butt scractched! No harm intended by her...seriously just to get her butt scractched.

Is this rude behavior and should it not be tolerated? Or is it okay?

ahlihaff · 10-31-2009, 01:45 PM

I don't know if I'd consider this rude. Maybe you could turn it into teaching her to back from zone 5. I have taught Ahliver to back from zone 5 at liberty. Take her idea of backing towards you, and go with it as a teaching experience. Just an idea.

BklynCwgrl · 10-31-2009, 02:31 PM

What is zone 5?

I've been scratching her butt when she "presents" it to me.

But since Clinton says they should always be facing you, I wondered if was a sign of disrespect.

RenosGirl · 10-31-2009, 02:32 PM

well does she back up into you or does she come to you face first then turn?

BklynCwgrl · 10-31-2009, 02:34 PM

Hmmm...I'd have to say face first, then turn around. It's like she moves her body and positions where she wants me to scratch. In fact, our draft horse does the same thing...imagine seeing an 18 hand butt comin at ya! LOL

RenosGirl · 10-31-2009, 02:56 PM

I really wouldn't be worried, but if you are I would stop scratching

Rafflesgirl · 10-31-2009, 03:06 PM

You are probably right and she probably just wants scratched but I still feel it might be a sign of disrespect. She is treating you like she would one of her trusted herd mates. The only probably I could see is if she did that to someone who wasn't aware of what she is doing, they might get alarmed and jump or make a noise and scare her and she might hurt that person, (unintentionally) Maybe find another area she likes scratched instead, such as her chest or girth area. I trust my horses also, but prefer they don't turn their rear ends toward me. Just my opinion.

dunamovin · 10-31-2009, 03:07 PM

I would turn her to face me...show respect. Then I would move down her side and scratch her butt from the side. If she attempts to turn it toward you make her face you again.

lovemyTB · 10-31-2009, 03:20 PM

My big TB mare is one for a scratch. She comes walking up to me puts her head on my shoulders and i scratch her neck, after a few minytes she turns around for a good butt scratch. If i don't scratch it. she keeps walking up and turning her butt to me.... Yup she has me trained pretty good..lol

redboy · 10-31-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunamovin

I would turn her to face me...show respect.
Then I would move down her side and scratch her butt from the side. If she attempts to turn it toward you make her face you again.

I agree with this poster.
I always want my horse to look at/face me.
I might 'think' one thing, and, one day, she might 'think' entirely another.
Horses will always challenge your position in the 'herd' just like you are another horse.
I would not want to, inadvertently, communicate the wrong message to her, and have to reteach her later, because something happened.
JMO

.

Horselady44 · 10-31-2009, 04:30 PM

I wouldnt allow it. Its disrespectful....even if it is just to get her butt scratched...if you want to scratch it...then you should go around and scratch it. Not her demand it scratched. I would stop scratching it when she wants it. When she turns her butt towards you I would correct her and make her face you. I personally wouldnt allow it. JMO

BklynCwgrl · 10-31-2009, 04:48 PM

All very good ideas. I'm leaning towards doing it "on my terms" not hers...which is pretty much what most of you have said. Thanks everyone.

ChasnCans · 10-31-2009, 05:07 PM

My black mare booty that I sold, yes her name was booty

.. Loved to have her butt stratched! Anywhere and everywhere on her bum. Unless she pins you up against something, or backs up too swifty then don't worry about it. But the horse may start to do that, as booty did. Just swifty say no and shout, and if needed plant on her, or get out of the way, its kind of a give and take thing.

Some horses don't over do it, but some will. Kinda like when you stratch the withers and some horses bite to try and do it do you, and some don't.

Horses are sooo silly sometimes!

ahlihaff · 10-31-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BklynCwgrl

What is zone 5?

I've been scratching her butt when she "presents" it to me.

But since Clinton says they should always be facing you, I wondered if was a sign of disrespect.

Zone 5 is from the butt and beyond (backwards).

merleliz · 10-31-2009, 05:50 PM

IMHO, I wouldn't allow it, just on the principle that if she thinks it's okay to do it sometimes, she might start thinking it's okay all the time...like you can't teach a dog not to jump up on you when you come in the door if you let him do it when you are playing in the yard, you know?

A friend of mine's Arab mare does it all the time, and she's never kicked or been disrespectful about it...but it just scares me, I'm a total coward about getting kicked!

(Hoof shaped mark on my thigh for years from my evil little pony at a young age!)

Range · 10-31-2009, 07:23 PM

And...just think if someone was in the pasture who didn't know what she was asking for. I mean, typically, the butt presentation is NOT one you want to be approached with.

I always scratch on my terms and from where I want to. Directly behind the butt is not in that list!

NorthernHorseGirl · 10-31-2009, 07:37 PM

I don't know, I have no problem with it and don't see it as a sign of disrespect necessarily, as long as she doesn't get out of hand about it.
A horse can't spend every minute turning to face you and be considered disrespectful if it doesn't. That's when I think the natural horsemanship thing goes too far. Try teaching a horse that thinks it has to face you every second how to lunge or move it's shoulders away or ground tie. It's frustrating.

Sometimes you just need to bond with your horse. Sometimes the dominant horse in a group will involve itself with other horses for things like mutual grooming so why can't we, as the dominant one, do the same.

bubbleslove · 10-31-2009, 10:19 PM

There's a horse at our barn that will kind of give you this look like "scratchy my head please?", and then as you scratch he just ever so slightly wiggles around so that eventually you're scratching his butt...but he's ever so polite about it. If it was that way, I wouldn't care, because it's easy to let him know that 'now is not the time for scratching' straight from the beginning. But if they see you and immediately swing around, not cool.

ahabarabs · 11-01-2009, 11:13 AM

I had an arab mare once who was 110 % spoiled pet, she would do this, ( among other things ) she never/ever did, or would have bitten/kicked, but was quite demanding about butt scratching from time to time, sometimes even while I would be trying to escape a "session" she would speed up blocking my path of escape off, sometimes even with an annoyed swish of her tail, spoiled? yes disresptful ? yes, but she was again, a non dangerous pet, much like a dog in fact, I did not care, as she was expected to never have to work, or act like a normal horse in any way,,, so as long as there are "lines that you want to draw" as far as other actions that is for you to decide ( my mare also was expected to, and did behave in a respectful manner when being worked with/led/groomed/etc. there was known "play time" and "behave time" )

ahabarabs · 11-01-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernHorseGirl

I don't know, I have no problem with it and don't see it as a sign of disrespect necessarily, as long as she doesn't get out of hand about it.
A horse can't spend every minute turning to face you and be considered disrespectful if it doesn't. That's when I think the natural horsemanship thing goes too far. Try teaching a horse that thinks it has to face you every second how to lunge or move it's shoulders away or ground tie. It's frustrating.

Sometimes you just need to bond with your horse. Sometimes the dominant horse in a group will involve itself with other horses for things like mutual
grooming so why can't we, as the dominant one, do the same.

So true.

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10-31-2009, 12:43 PM
BklynCwgrl Started Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,784	Question of the day! Angel has begun backing up towards me to have her butt scractched! No harm intended by her...seriously just to get her butt scractched. Is this rude behavior and should it not be tolerated? Or is it okay? __________________ Robin

10-31-2009, 01:45 PM
ahlihaff Seasoned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western MA Posts: 4,562	I don't know if I'd consider this rude. Maybe you could turn it into teaching her to back from zone 5. I have taught Ahliver to back from zone 5 at liberty. Take her idea of backing towards you, and go with it as a teaching experience. Just an idea. __________________

10-31-2009, 02:31 PM
BklynCwgrl Started Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,784	What is zone 5? I've been scratching her butt when she "presents" it to me. But since Clinton says they should always be facing you, I wondered if was a sign of disrespect. __________________ Robin

10-31-2009, 02:32 PM
RenosGirl Long Yearling Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 1,251	well does she back up into you or does she come to you face first then turn? __________________ Go and love your babies today, and everyday...you never know when it could be the last time.

10-31-2009, 02:34 PM
BklynCwgrl Started Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,784	Hmmm...I'd have to say face first, then turn around. It's like she moves her body and positions where she wants me to scratch. In fact, our draft horse does the same thing...imagine seeing an 18 hand butt comin at ya! LOL __________________ Robin

10-31-2009, 02:56 PM
RenosGirl Long Yearling Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 1,251	I really wouldn't be worried, but if you are I would stop scratching __________________ Go and love your babies today, and everyday...you never know when it could be the last time.

10-31-2009, 03:06 PM
Rafflesgirl Weanling Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 491	You are probably right and she probably just wants scratched but I still feel it might be a sign of disrespect. She is treating you like she would one of her trusted herd mates. The only probably I could see is if she did that to someone who wasn't aware of what she is doing, they might get alarmed and jump or make a noise and scare her and she might hurt that person, (unintentionally) Maybe find another area she likes scratched instead, such as her chest or girth area. I trust my horses also, but prefer they don't turn their rear ends toward me. Just my opinion. __________________ Kelli ~He is the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers~

10-31-2009, 03:07 PM
dunamovin Halter broke Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: where the blacktop ends Posts: 182	I would turn her to face me...show respect. Then I would move down her side and scratch her butt from the side. If she attempts to turn it toward you make her face you again.

10-31-2009, 03:20 PM
lovemyTB Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Posts: 105	My big TB mare is one for a scratch. She comes walking up to me puts her head on my shoulders and i scratch her neck, after a few minytes she turns around for a good butt scratch. If i don't scratch it. she keeps walking up and turning her butt to me.... Yup she has me trained pretty good..lol

10-31-2009, 04:30 PM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,401	I wouldnt allow it. Its disrespectful....even if it is just to get her butt scratched...if you want to scratch it...then you should go around and scratch it. Not her demand it scratched. I would stop scratching it when she wants it. When she turns her butt towards you I would correct her and make her face you. I personally wouldnt allow it. JMO __________________ A happy horse equals a happy rider!

10-31-2009, 04:48 PM
BklynCwgrl Started Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,784	All very good ideas. I'm leaning towards doing it "on my terms" not hers...which is pretty much what most of you have said. Thanks everyone. __________________ Robin

10-31-2009, 05:07 PM
ChasnCans Started Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KS Posts: 2,012	My black mare booty that I sold, yes her name was booty .. Loved to have her butt stratched! Anywhere and everywhere on her bum. Unless she pins you up against something, or backs up too swifty then don't worry about it. But the horse may start to do that, as booty did. Just swifty say no and shout, and if needed plant on her, or get out of the way, its kind of a give and take thing. Some horses don't over do it, but some will. Kinda like when you stratch the withers and some horses bite to try and do it do you, and some don't. Horses are sooo silly sometimes! __________________ In memory of baby Mayln Marie Loyd. While he may knock over a barrel he will never* break my heart

10-31-2009, 05:50 PM
merleliz Seasoned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fairburn, Georgia Posts: 4,467	IMHO, I wouldn't allow it, just on the principle that if she thinks it's okay to do it sometimes, she might start thinking it's okay all the time...like you can't teach a dog not to jump up on you when you come in the door if you let him do it when you are playing in the yard, you know? A friend of mine's Arab mare does it all the time, and she's never kicked or been disrespectful about it...but it just scares me, I'm a total coward about getting kicked! (Hoof shaped mark on my thigh for years from my evil little pony at a young age!) __________________ VOTE FOR "DUSTY TRAILS HORSE RESCUE" DAILY IN THE PETFINDER SHELTER CHALLENGE! http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/c...faces?siteId=3

10-31-2009, 07:23 PM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,739	And...just think if someone was in the pasture who didn't know what she was asking for. I mean, typically, the butt presentation is NOT one you want to be approached with. I always scratch on my terms and from where I want to. Directly behind the butt is not in that list! __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery

10-31-2009, 07:37 PM
NorthernHorseGirl Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 509	I don't know, I have no problem with it and don't see it as a sign of disrespect necessarily, as long as she doesn't get out of hand about it. A horse can't spend every minute turning to face you and be considered disrespectful if it doesn't. That's when I think the natural horsemanship thing goes too far. Try teaching a horse that thinks it has to face you every second how to lunge or move it's shoulders away or ground tie. It's frustrating. Sometimes you just need to bond with your horse. Sometimes the dominant horse in a group will involve itself with other horses for things like mutual grooming so why can't we, as the dominant one, do the same. __________________ Some horses come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay awhile and make hoofprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same. Anonymous Rest in peace Clint, I'll always love you and I'll miss you for the rest of my life. You were and will always be my perfect horse.

10-31-2009, 10:19 PM
bubbleslove Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 751	There's a horse at our barn that will kind of give you this look like "scratchy my head please?", and then as you scratch he just ever so slightly wiggles around so that eventually you're scratching his butt...but he's ever so polite about it. If it was that way, I wouldn't care, because it's easy to let him know that 'now is not the time for scratching' straight from the beginning. But if they see you and immediately swing around, not cool. __________________ Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance. ~Woodrow Wilson in love with my Bubbles boy

11-01-2009, 11:13 AM
ahabarabs Weanling Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: indianapolis, indiana Posts: 487	I had an arab mare once who was 110 % spoiled pet, she would do this, ( among other things ) she never/ever did, or would have bitten/kicked, but was quite demanding about butt scratching from time to time, sometimes even while I would be trying to escape a "session" she would speed up blocking my path of escape off, sometimes even with an annoyed swish of her tail, spoiled? yes disresptful ? yes, but she was again, a non dangerous pet, much like a dog in fact, I did not care, as she was expected to never have to work, or act like a normal horse in any way,,, so as long as there are "lines that you want to draw" as far as other actions that is for you to decide ( my mare also was expected to, and did behave in a respectful manner when being worked with/led/groomed/etc. there was known "play time" and "behave time" )