HI hi, Ok today I built a nice round pen, let my pony in it for a while to check it out, and then began the joinup process by driving her away with my voice and body language, and now and then waving the soft leadline like I've found in the instructions. She went away lovely for about 30 seconds, then kicked and bucked a bit as I expected as she worked out that she must run in a circular enclosure. But then she turned at me and reared and when I tried to send her away (NOT in an over-the-top fashion) she 'charged'! I was not expecting this as she is quite a mouldable girl and already follows us around a bit. I tried again so as not to leave it on that message with her, but it was too late, she reared and ran at me straight away . I can't find anyone else who has had this problem, and I just want to reiterate that I really wasnt being too scary! Help! Total fail.
P.s. The only thing I can think of is that the pen had to be on nice spring grass and that she was not best pleased about being made to do anything but eat..but this really shouldnt be an excuse :/
It sort of sounds to me like you may not have been scary enough... I would probably smack her on the shoulder or haunches for something like that.
defanitly. This is a very dangerouse habbit. Stop it fast before she gets it in her head that it's alowed.
One thing I've learned to think about with horses is, "I can be your best friend, or your worst enemy" Don't be afraid to smack that horse a good one! Be like "HEY I'M BOSS NOT YOU!"
Agreed. It is VERY possible, that she was trying to (and suceeded to) outrank you. When she saw that you were trying to tell her what to do, she said 'no way!' and charged at you- reversing your roles and making you the herd member and her the alpha. You need to get her back in there as fast as possible and work it out. As soon as she begins to move towards you at any time- make her go away! Use the ask,tell,demand method. First, gently ask her to move away from you by voice command, then if that doesnt work- tell her by swinging your rope behind her. If she moves towards you with her ears flat, head snaked out, teeth bared, or tail swishing, DEMAND that she gets out of your space. Don't be scared to smack her with your rope hard enough to suprise her. Rearing is no little thing, and charging is even worse.
Yep! You weren't dominant enough. Make sure to take a lunge whip with you. She was testing you and she won. Don't be afraid when you do it the next time. For warned, she will do it again! She found a way to scare you and it worked for her. Don't let it work for her again. Be tougher! Because if you let her get away with kicking and bucking she will try something far more threatening. Be careful. If you don't think you can handle her tantrums don't try anymore without help. Good luck Posted via Mobile Device
My horse used to be the same way. He was very bold when I got him. He also tried to charge me but after weeks of working him and basically making him realize I can be scary he completely changed. Now he has great ground manners and knows i'm boss, thou I do I have too re-establish it once in a while.
I too tried it with my mare and you just have to be bigger than them. You have to show them that you WILL not back down. Use a strong voice and if she charges wave your hands and yell at her... eventually she will figure out that your boss and listen... if she doesn't then you might have to try and figure out why she is doing this.. like in her history if she has ever had a bad experience with round-pens, or if something is bothering her... if you are nervous she is going to take advantage at that so you have to channel your energy into being calm and assertive. Hope that helps
Do you normally have a pretty good relationship with this pony? If so, I wouldn't worry about join-up or round penning her. I had a good relationship with my gelding and was told I should whack him on the nose with a rope bridged between my two hands. I bo't into this crap. He'd back nicely with a touch to the shoulder. He wouldn't back up when I tapped him on the nose with the rope so I delivered a harder whack. I instantly regretted it. He couldn't believe I had hurt him. The next day I asked him to move ahead so I could close the gate and he wheeled around as tho to attack me but stopped short. That was how he let me know he could hurt me but didn't.
Do you normally have a pretty good relationship with this pony? If so, I wouldn't worry about join-up or round penning her. I had a good relationship with my gelding and was told I should whack him on the nose with a rope bridged between my two hands. I bo't into this crap. He'd back nicely with a touch to the shoulder. He wouldn't back up when I tapped him on the nose with the rope so I delivered a harder whack. I instantly regretted it. He couldn't believe I had hurt him. The next day I asked him to move ahead so I could close the gate and he wheeled around as tho to attack me but stopped short. That was how he let me know he could hurt me but didn't.
Thats because you made the #1 biggest mistake. You hit him in the face for no resone. Horses don't think like humans. He didin't say "hey I could hurt you but I wount....for now." He just told you "Hell no kiss my @$$."
Horses have a herd "order" , the horse above the other could some times just bite, kick or chase the lower man to remind them of who is in charge. It sounds like you just got reminded of who was in charge.
. I can't find anyone else who has had this problem, and I just want to reiterate that I really wasnt being too scary! Help! Total fail. 
the join-up fail 
