what would you do in this situation?

I don't know how to go about this but I have to bring it up and ask how everyone else would. I've just about reached the end of my "being nice" point.

All this week my friend has been with me when I go to feed my horse (we hung out all this week) I absolutely love her and she's been with me for a year now but, every time I ask her to put my horse in the paddock she smacks his butt when he's walking off.

I don't think it's necessary and I told her that I don't want him getting used to that or thinking that he's being scolded for something he didn't do. I mean not that he deserves it at all but, whatever.

Today she did it again and I got really mad but, was so pissed off I kept my cool and didn't say a word. It's not a hard smack but, it's a decently good one.

Pretty much this: I ask her to put him in the ring to let him roll around and run. Takes his halter and puts it on him, puts him in the ring (takes halter off) and as he's walking off with his butt torwards her (not threatening way, just walking away) she smacks his butt.

I've asked her more than once that I don't want her to do stuff like that but, i'm assuming it just hasn't gotten across to her. How can I tell her without having to raise my voice?

Tell her that if she does it again you will not allow her to handle your horse anymore. If she does it again, follow through on it.

He is your horse, if she can't handle him the way you want him to be handled then she has no right handling him.

What would I do? I wouldn't care. Smacking a horse honestly doesn't hurt it, especially if it's just a little hit. I wouldn't think the horse would think he is being reprimanded because she didn't yell at him or get her energy up in a "you're in trouble!" kind of way. I sometimes slap my horse to kill horseflies. She doesn't think I'm getting her in trouble. She acts like she hardly notices. The only time the smacking effects her is when it's used in conjunction with "NO M'AM!" and stomping my feet.


Does it annoy the horse at all? If not, I think you're over reacting a bit.

I'm well aware that smacking a horse doesn't hurt but, I don't want it done. It's also every time and I just don't appreciate it. I don't want to go and pat my horse good job and he pins his ears back and goes to be a little brat.

I mean sure I'll give my horse a smack if he's out of line but, I don't think it should be done just because...

I give my horses a pat on the bum going into their stall or into the pasture. I do it as a "good job...now eat!" type of thing.

Over reacting to me...but if you don't want it to happen, then stop letting her turn your horse out.

I agree. I give Froggy a love pat when we are done. I think he would stand there and stare at me all day if I didn't.

Don't get me wrong, I give Beau pats all the time but, there's a difference in a pat and what she's doing. It's a smack for definite sure.

I think your over reacting really , I 'smack' my boys butts when I let them off into the field - not a beating..... , like above , in a 'good job go have fun' kind of way - it isnt exactly like she is beating him over the head with a pole.

I'd try being grateful that she is showing an interest and willing to help out. Honestly you sound a bit neurotic.

I'm not neurotic, thanks though. I'm saying i've asked her before and I don't want her doing it. Although, I never said I wasn't grateful I just said I didn't appreciate it.

Honestly, if its that big of a deal to you, don't bring her to the barn with you. Simple fix. You seem to be blowing this whole thing out of proportion.