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Handling Situation When Horses Strike

3K views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  livelovelaughride 
#1 ·
I need some feedback on this situation. I was hand grazing my horse when another gelding came into our pasture. The other person was going to release her horse and I asked her not to, as these horses had not been pasture mates before. So, in hand, we introduced the two geldings.

After a moment, the other gelding squealed and in a flash, struck out at my horse, and then me. I was not expecting this, and did notice my gelding didn't seem phazed. Luckily he missed me by a foot where I has holding the lead rope. The other owner did nothing to correct her horse. I wasn't too impressed by her behaviour and doubt that our horses will ever be in the same pasture again.

That wasn't my horse that misbehaved, so I could do nothing. Or could I?
 
#8 ·
I totally disagree. If I had been there with a whip that horse would have whip marks on him. GRRRRR
Please don't suggest that a human, who is 8x-10x smaller in size and weight should NOT defend himself or herself.
Too many people keep animals that are out of control. It isn't cute and it isn't funny. It is HIGHLY DANGEROUS! Better that the OP reacted immediately and the horse was hit in self defense that the human was injured and the owner sued. Think about it.
After the fact, you can't do much.
I would tt the barn owner about this. I would also tt the owner, when the horses aren't around about it, but I doubt that would change anything. UNfortunately, you're probably stuck with keeping a distance between the owner and you AND the owner's horse and your horse.
Horses don't normally strike at each other.
It is a VERY AGGRESSIVE behavior.

Biting and kicking while in the pasture is pretty normal.
 
#4 ·
I would say you did the right thing from the get-go by asking the other person not to let the horse off of it's lead. That being said, I would have definitely said something to the other owner about how they handled the situation. I also try and ask other owners how their horses are with new horses before interacting.
 
#5 ·
The striking and squealing is pretty normal when horses meet each other. Personally, I tend to expect it so I would have chased the other horse off if he approached so that I wouldn't be in the middle of hooves. It's also why I don't introduce horses in hand. It doesn't mean that they will maul each other but its definitely not a human friendly situation.

Her horse, IMO, didn't really do anything abonormal or unnatural. I don't think he did anything "wrong" per se. I absolutely would have chased him off or left the pasture when I saw the other person ignoring me. I would have given her a talking to after.
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#7 ·
I would say that's a pretty typical reaction.

I wouldn't do anything to correct the horse or the owner. The first isn't acceptable, and the second doesn't tend to be /socially/ acceptable. Sure, she should have corrected her own horse, but it's not your place to do so.

I would just try to avoid a similar situation in the future.
 
#10 ·
Thanks for all your input, I appreciate all views. I did advise the BO as she is also the manager, as she needed to know. I was disappointed in the other owner, but she is basically an ineffective handler. While she might realize she should have corrected him, her methods are inconsistent and don't show leadership. I should have known better! I'm just glad we had enough space in between the animals.
 
#11 ·
I also agree with Corporal about striking towards people is a very aggressive behaviour. I can fathom that horses striking toward each other may be considered normal. But striking toward a person, is unacceptable (given this situation).

If my horse were to bite or act aggressive to someone and I didn't respond fast enough - I would have no issue of that person correcting my horse, so long as they used the 3 second rule. He would have deserved it.
 
#12 ·
Are you sure he was deliberately striking at you or were you in range of their greeting? Striking is a very typical reaction to meeting others and you should have been as far away as possible while holding the lead.

Personally I wouldn't have corrected the other horses behavior after the fact, that's the owners job. Now if you were in immediate danger in the present moment I would have no problem with a defensive reaction. No doubt this horse needed a come to Jesus moment if he was truly striking at you but its not you place to give it to him. If a stranger did that to my horse that stranger would likely receive their own come to Jesus moment. :wink:
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#13 ·
Squealing and striking when horses meet seems pretty typical in my neck of the woods. It seems like mares always do that and geldings maybe 50% of the time. The only thing is that you (and I presume) the other handler were in a dangerous location at the time of the meeting. But whenever horses meet I sort of expect a squeal/strike, especially if either horse is a mare. I have never met a mare that didn't do that. Never get between meeting horses, that's for sure. I am usually on their backs when I experience the whole meeting thing and the other horse is usually also under saddle or on the other side of a fence.

I guess what I am saying is, while dangerous for the handlers, I don't think it is an aggressive move on the horse's part. I worry much more about kicking. They usually do the squeal/strike once and are fine after that. Unless they are then separated and brought back together, then it may happen again!
 
#14 ·
It is a basic part of being well-mannered for a horse to NOT squeal, strike out, turn and kick, etc when handlers are present. When horses are loose, they are on their time. When I am around, they are on my time and better demonstrate good manners at all times.

If it had been me, I first would have positioned myself to one side and not directly in front of either horse. Then, when it squealed, I would have yelled loudly at the horse and aggressively stepped toward it and waved an arm in its face -- regardless of what the other handler did. As a matter of fact, I will frequently say a firm "Ah!" when someone approaches with a strange horse, either ridden or led. It will put most horses unknown to you in a more inquisitive mode and less aggressive one. It will serve to do the same for my horse. If you do this, almost any horse with ears back or half-back will bring their ears forward and look at you in a much more cautious way. They will not just wade in and act aggressively like you are not there. I can put almost any horse on notice that they should tread lightly and be cautious when they approach me.
 
#15 ·
Well said, Cherie. This same horse attacked his pasture mate (mare owned by the same person) when previously they had been "fine" together.
He continued to try and attack this mare even when handlers came in to remove the mare as they were fearing for her safety. That probably says alot about the amount of respect he has for humans.
 
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