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Tail swishing - reason?

3K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  Wheatermay 
#1 ·
Hi! New to the forum and relatively new (2 years) to horses!

I'm buying an 11 y/o TBx that is a really sweet boy with overall excellent ground manners and a gentleman under saddle. I thought it was my imagination, but the barn manager also commented today that he swishes his tail more than most while working around him in the stall and seems to have a real knack for hitting you right in the face! He does this while happily munching on hay and does not seem to be agitated otherwise. He loves attention, snuggles, and scratches - overall a really people horse. He practically puts the bridal on himself and seems to love working. I had him vetted today and the vet did not find anything that would cause this. Even when sedated for xrays, his tail was pretty active. He's a thin-skinned chestnut and lived outside for ~6 months prior to me buying him. Could it possibly be that this is just a habit or reflex? Or do you think he is doing it as a mild display of agitation?

Thanks in advance!
 
#8 ·
Good choice in leaving him alone. As long as there is no ear pinning or irritation his his part with you in the stall, I don't think there is a real problem either. On the other hand, it could also have something to do with his being stalled. If he was out 24/7 before you got him, he may really prefer that over a stall and what he is showing is a mild form of anxiety.
 
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