I volunteer at a horse rescue. There is a horse that I am now sponsoring (food, medication, etc..) and he is an old horse. He is in his late 20's. I heard stories that he can be a handful sometimes. Yesterday I saw what they meant. Before bringing him into the barn for his nightly food he began to run around the paddock kicking and bucking, blowing out of his nostrils really hard making this noise. Not sure what spooked him or caused this, I am in the process of trying to figure that out. My question is how do you calm him when he gets like that. Another volunteer brought his grain bowl out and held it for him to eat, thinking it would calm him some. I managed to get his halter on and as soon as I opened the gate to put him in the barn he reared up and went to take off running. The guy that I am there with told me to turn him in a circle until he calms down. I am not sure this did much but I did and managed to talk to him and get him to somewhat slow down going into the barn and into his stall. What should I have done differently and what can I do in the future if he gets like this. I will of course try to figure out what started it and prevent that. Thank you all for any help you can give me. Again, I am coming into this as beginner not knowing much about his background and training and not remembering what I learned about horses as a kid.
Michael972
- Status
He shouldn't have a beginner handling him at all until he has been figured out and has someone working with him that can get a better handle on it.
Whoever is running this rescue is highly irresponsible for putting you in this situation without any training. This is not ok.
You need many years of horse experience to deal with a horse that rears, runs through you, and otherwise threatens your safety. Please tell the rescue that you are not ready to handle this horse and that they should only assign you horses that are safe for beginners.
You need many years of horse experience to deal with a horse that rears, runs through you, and otherwise threatens your safety. Please tell the rescue that you are not ready to handle this horse and that they should only assign you horses that are safe for beginners.
Just curious, did this horse rescue have you sign any Waiver's so they cant be held liable if any one gets hurt handling horses? Be careful if you dont have the experience to handle a horse like this you are going to get hurt, have someone else work with him..
Edited to add: Sorry I didnt answer your question on how to be calming him down, but with a horse like this he needs a experience handler.
Edited to add: Sorry I didnt answer your question on how to be calming him down, but with a horse like this he needs a experience handler.
This is a resource I've just recently found. This woman has detailed, common-sense, but compassionate answers. I'd search in the box for "rears" or "rearing". But also look through everything you can find on her site. I think it could be very helpful to you.
He may have given you some subtle warning signs that could have easily been missed by even an experienced person not paying attention, since he’s has gone into the barn peacefully before.
The horse is in his late twenties? There could be some sort of pain issue that flares, causing him to explode unexpectedly.
There’s a recent conversation somewhere on this forum regarding horses with brain tumors having sudden explosions for no apparent reason.
At any rate, being very astute, paying close attention for any signs he’s about to blow, such as muscle tension, change in the eyes, change in the set of his mouth, balking when asked to go forward.
Even if a vet has evaluated the horse, it was likely when the horse first arrived. Maybe a second, more in depth evaluation for pain issues (including the eyes as they can sometimes tell if something is going on in the brain.
The horse is in his late twenties? There could be some sort of pain issue that flares, causing him to explode unexpectedly.
There’s a recent conversation somewhere on this forum regarding horses with brain tumors having sudden explosions for no apparent reason.
At any rate, being very astute, paying close attention for any signs he’s about to blow, such as muscle tension, change in the eyes, change in the set of his mouth, balking when asked to go forward.
Even if a vet has evaluated the horse, it was likely when the horse first arrived. Maybe a second, more in depth evaluation for pain issues (including the eyes as they can sometimes tell if something is going on in the brain.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and diagnose this behavior based on the very limited information you have provided. I expect to get a lot of blowback for my opinion but since it's only my opinion and not worth the paper it's written on...
This horse has your number. He is smart enough to know that he's the herd boss in his small herd and he knows when it's feeding time. He didn't want to go in the barn and you rewarded poor behavior by feeding he, by hand holding his pan, while placing yourself and those with you in a subservient position. The blowing sound that he is making is an aggression thing. He is the boss. A trainer whom I respect uses the phrase: "get to his feet." Your horse has done this by getting to your feed and moving you therefore controlling you while on the lead rope
Solving this problem could take more time and resources than you have available because you stated that you volunteer at the rescue farm. Having the time is the big thing because they may have a program/schedule/agenda that you have to work within. It's good that you are working in a team with someone that has more experience because this guy is going to need some remediation. I agree with QtrBel that this horse shouldn't have a beginner handling him. Good luck.
This horse has your number. He is smart enough to know that he's the herd boss in his small herd and he knows when it's feeding time. He didn't want to go in the barn and you rewarded poor behavior by feeding he, by hand holding his pan, while placing yourself and those with you in a subservient position. The blowing sound that he is making is an aggression thing. He is the boss. A trainer whom I respect uses the phrase: "get to his feet." Your horse has done this by getting to your feed and moving you therefore controlling you while on the lead rope
Solving this problem could take more time and resources than you have available because you stated that you volunteer at the rescue farm. Having the time is the big thing because they may have a program/schedule/agenda that you have to work within. It's good that you are working in a team with someone that has more experience because this guy is going to need some remediation. I agree with QtrBel that this horse shouldn't have a beginner handling him. Good luck.
Thank you for volunteering and sponsoring a horse! You are a blessing to him.
It's so hard to guess what might have spooked him. What I would have done if I had been there would have been to just leave him alone and watch him until he calmed down, if possible. I wouldn't want to touch him or put his halter on while he was still nervous. I'd wait until his head was down and he was obviously calm and comfortable again and then put his halter on and brought him in. That would have given me a chance to closely observe and maybe figure out what the issue was, it would have kept me safe, and it would have let him know that I wasn't going to do things for him while he was misbehaving.
Anything you do more than once has the potential to become a habit, and you don't want him to associate misbehaving and having you near him - you know what I mean?
Horses are a mystery and a challenge. Thank you again for what you're doing!
It's so hard to guess what might have spooked him. What I would have done if I had been there would have been to just leave him alone and watch him until he calmed down, if possible. I wouldn't want to touch him or put his halter on while he was still nervous. I'd wait until his head was down and he was obviously calm and comfortable again and then put his halter on and brought him in. That would have given me a chance to closely observe and maybe figure out what the issue was, it would have kept me safe, and it would have let him know that I wasn't going to do things for him while he was misbehaving.
Anything you do more than once has the potential to become a habit, and you don't want him to associate misbehaving and having you near him - you know what I mean?
Horses are a mystery and a challenge. Thank you again for what you're doing!
Another possibilty. Is he used to being led in first and because his stall wasn't ready others were taken in ahead of him? Horses are creatures of habit and some get very upset if you do things out of order, especially at feeding time.
A few years ago, I adopted a horse from Horse Protection Association of Florida. They said he had been badly beaten before the owner was sent to jail and he was potentially explosive. When I had him, he was a dream and a doll, so I really don't know.
But what he did appear to have was something like PTSD. He'd be riding along just fine, and then suddenly, he would just go bonkers, total terror. I always thought that it was something that triggered his PTSD. What I did when he had those episodes was just stay on him (I believe it always happened when I was riding him) and take him somewhere quiet, dismount, and he would slowly come out of it. Then he would be a sweet docile kitten again.
@JCnGrace reminded me (I always thought it was funny) how he needed everything to be the same. I would lead my 4 horses to a pasture that I used regularly, and when I was leading them, he insisted there had to be a certain order in where the horses were being led. If a different horse was next to one another, he would stop and get all antsy and worried. If I switched the horses to the order he preferred, he would lead beautifully. He liked everything to be exactly the same every day.
He may just be an ornery old soul. I would venture to guess that he knew it was time to eat and he got himself excited. He may not have the best manners as it is and it may benefit you to work a little with him when it's not feeding time. Just do the 7 games of Parelli or the Liberty exercises, or the Clinton Anderson Fundamental Series, or...the John Lyons groundworks (all of the trainers have their own spin on it).
Because the horse is excitable, if you decide to do that, I would pick the one that is the least aggressive technique. One that keeps the horse quiet. I think the Liberty exercises that I did with Advantage were pretty quiet.
Because the horse is excitable, if you decide to do that, I would pick the one that is the least aggressive technique. One that keeps the horse quiet. I think the Liberty exercises that I did with Advantage were pretty quiet.
His issues could be multiple since he is in his 20’s, his legs bother him, he has that molar that needs looked at.
Add to that, he could also be a well mannered con artist who has not been made to mind his manners for awhile. I have one of those he is 28 and has been with me 26 years. He is grain and soy sensitive, so not allowed to have any grains or feeds that use soy as the protein source. I also have him on magnesium malate to control his anxiety.
He is a sweet loving horse under my care but, perish the thought something would happen to me and he would end up a rescue from a kill pen. —- he could very well be like the horse you’re working with.
As this thread moves along and we all give our thoughts, I now wonder if this very thing may not have happened to your horse? His owner died and the family got rid of him for whatever money they could get at the kill auction.
Add to that, he could also be a well mannered con artist who has not been made to mind his manners for awhile. I have one of those he is 28 and has been with me 26 years. He is grain and soy sensitive, so not allowed to have any grains or feeds that use soy as the protein source. I also have him on magnesium malate to control his anxiety.
He is a sweet loving horse under my care but, perish the thought something would happen to me and he would end up a rescue from a kill pen. —- he could very well be like the horse you’re working with.
As this thread moves along and we all give our thoughts, I now wonder if this very thing may not have happened to your horse? His owner died and the family got rid of him for whatever money they could get at the kill auction.
@Michael972 here‘s a good example of what I was talking about with my con artist of a horse (who BTW was a heck of a trail horse in his day and saved DH’s bacon twice when DH didn’t listen to me).
i was grooming Rusty for turnout this morning. I had him in the barn aisle, letting him eat hay while I cleaned up the mud fever on his back legs. As usual he stood perfect.
Then I asked him to step back so I could check and clean out the ear he has been feverishly rubbing in his stall. Nine times out of ten he complies but this time he kept eating hay. I said again “Rusty step back”, but added a tap of my hand to his chest this time. Seems he momentarily lost his hearing because he didn’t budge.
Knowing him for 26 years, I did not care to give him the usual three chances to comply, in this particular instance. Instead I grabbed the fleshy part of his chest, twisted the skin & simultanously pushed him while forcefully saying STEP BACK!! Those hooves didn’t waste anytime taking two steps back, which was all I wanted. He knows the tone of my voice and the tone that went with the skin pinch meant big trouble if he didn’t listen.
As to the ear cleaning — I cleaned his ear out thoroughly with a paper towel wet with mal-a-ket, a sterile cleaner that has ketoconazole in it. I did all that without needing to halter Rusty - he just stood there.
When I asked Rusty to step back, he was silently saying no because he was too busy eating. I should also say that he has been known to not step back when there wasn’t anything in front of him. If he is in a contrary mood, he will say no just to say no. Once Rusty knew his 16.1H self wasn’t the boss of me, all was good again and he let me clean his ear.
Had he been in an environment such as rescue, with inexperienced people trying their best but not wanting to “hurt the horse”, Rusty would have won round one (step back) and round two (clean your ear). He’s the kind of horse that would seize on that and keep getting more unruly, to his own eventual undoing. <—- if that makes any sense🤠🤠
My 5’2” self pinching his chest skin was nothing compared to what the alpha horse of the herd might do if it wanted Rusty to move his feet. Alphas pin their ears first, then bite or kick second, lollol
i was grooming Rusty for turnout this morning. I had him in the barn aisle, letting him eat hay while I cleaned up the mud fever on his back legs. As usual he stood perfect.
Then I asked him to step back so I could check and clean out the ear he has been feverishly rubbing in his stall. Nine times out of ten he complies but this time he kept eating hay. I said again “Rusty step back”, but added a tap of my hand to his chest this time. Seems he momentarily lost his hearing because he didn’t budge.
Knowing him for 26 years, I did not care to give him the usual three chances to comply, in this particular instance. Instead I grabbed the fleshy part of his chest, twisted the skin & simultanously pushed him while forcefully saying STEP BACK!! Those hooves didn’t waste anytime taking two steps back, which was all I wanted. He knows the tone of my voice and the tone that went with the skin pinch meant big trouble if he didn’t listen.
As to the ear cleaning — I cleaned his ear out thoroughly with a paper towel wet with mal-a-ket, a sterile cleaner that has ketoconazole in it. I did all that without needing to halter Rusty - he just stood there.
When I asked Rusty to step back, he was silently saying no because he was too busy eating. I should also say that he has been known to not step back when there wasn’t anything in front of him. If he is in a contrary mood, he will say no just to say no. Once Rusty knew his 16.1H self wasn’t the boss of me, all was good again and he let me clean his ear.
Had he been in an environment such as rescue, with inexperienced people trying their best but not wanting to “hurt the horse”, Rusty would have won round one (step back) and round two (clean your ear). He’s the kind of horse that would seize on that and keep getting more unruly, to his own eventual undoing. <—- if that makes any sense🤠🤠
My 5’2” self pinching his chest skin was nothing compared to what the alpha horse of the herd might do if it wanted Rusty to move his feet. Alphas pin their ears first, then bite or kick second, lollol
Bless his sweet soul, Chocolate is quite handsome😍😍.
He is in a lot better condition that I thought he would be; I expected to see a lot of ribs👍🤠👍🤠
The white hairs on his face follow where a halter was. He may have worn a too tight halter with no relief for a long time.
No matter how well behaved he is, still keep the eyes in the back of your head open, as you don’t know what may trigger him to go into meltdown mode.
Even though the 26+ companion horse who came to my farm March 31st, has impeccable ground manners, I am still slightly wary because I don’t know what movements might annoy him. He is a retired show jumper whose life was very rigid and precise. My Walking Horses were/are broke to death trail horses, used to having anything imaginable done to them, sometimes in a haphazard manner. I have to consciously remember Duncan the retired jumper might not always appreciate my informal/haphazard ways, lol
Duncan is, however, very people oriented and is always “snuffling “ in my ear or lightly brushing my shoulder with his nose. I always make it point to acknowledge him and take a few moments to snuffle back )
You seem to have an inner sense that gives you an advantage - don’t get too comfortable around any of the horses you work with.
I have rescued more than my share of dogs, cats, and horses in my lifetime. My favorite way to sum all of them up is: “if it has a heart and pumps blood — it’s unpredictable “. 🤠🤠
He is in a lot better condition that I thought he would be; I expected to see a lot of ribs👍🤠👍🤠
The white hairs on his face follow where a halter was. He may have worn a too tight halter with no relief for a long time.
No matter how well behaved he is, still keep the eyes in the back of your head open, as you don’t know what may trigger him to go into meltdown mode.
Even though the 26+ companion horse who came to my farm March 31st, has impeccable ground manners, I am still slightly wary because I don’t know what movements might annoy him. He is a retired show jumper whose life was very rigid and precise. My Walking Horses were/are broke to death trail horses, used to having anything imaginable done to them, sometimes in a haphazard manner. I have to consciously remember Duncan the retired jumper might not always appreciate my informal/haphazard ways, lol
Duncan is, however, very people oriented and is always “snuffling “ in my ear or lightly brushing my shoulder with his nose. I always make it point to acknowledge him and take a few moments to snuffle back )
You seem to have an inner sense that gives you an advantage - don’t get too comfortable around any of the horses you work with.
I have rescued more than my share of dogs, cats, and horses in my lifetime. My favorite way to sum all of them up is: “if it has a heart and pumps blood — it’s unpredictable “. 🤠🤠
Bless his precious soul😍😍
Not one but two abscessed molars — plenty of reason for him to suddenly spook that time. It’s possible the halter pushed on his face just right, causing pain.
I am glad the sweetie face is doing better. Did the vet anything about rinsing his mouth with salt water? When my Arab had a couple of molars pulled, I used a turkey baster to rinse his mouth with tepid salt water. However, check with the vet first
Not one but two abscessed molars — plenty of reason for him to suddenly spook that time. It’s possible the halter pushed on his face just right, causing pain.
I am glad the sweetie face is doing better. Did the vet anything about rinsing his mouth with salt water? When my Arab had a couple of molars pulled, I used a turkey baster to rinse his mouth with tepid salt water. However, check with the vet first
So today I was out with Chocolate. He seems to be doing great recovering from two molars removed. I went out and spent about an hour or more grooming him (he likes to roll in mud, and it rained all day yesterday). So I have a question. While I was grooming him and just hanging out with him he would raise is front foot and stomp it on the ground. Now I did see flys on his leg at times he would do that but most of the times he would stomp his front foot. It reminded me of a bull before it charged. Stomp and push the dirt back a bit. What is he telling Me? Is he uncomfortable, not happy about me being there, unsure of what is happening? Like I said sometimes it was when the flys were on his feet. Other times I was talking with another volunteer there and he would do that. It must mean something but I am not sure if it is aggression or just impatiences Or what it is. Any insight would be great. Thanks all!!!
So, he's got no manners, a lot of opinion; and, sounds to me, like he's never felt so good before! Do be careful. Even happy horses can be dangerous.
It could be any number of reasons ranging from flies to impatience if you have him tied up, to trying to ask you for something.
When I was shampooing Rusty a few days ago, Duncan was loose and already had his shower. He started pawing the ground as soon as I turned the water hose on Rusty. I aimed the water hose at Duncan’s neck and he stopped pawing.
Keep in mind Duncan wasn’t even haltered, he had the choice to walk away but he wanted me to spray him with the water hose. In this instance pawing was the only way he knew to get my attention and ask.
It is possible Chocolate wanted something else during his spa time - maybe his face rubbed with a washcloth, his neck massaged, etc. it could be that somewhere in his past there’s a routine he wants back.
I don’t tie Duncan, the new horse, to groom him. He will stand still for everything except his face grooming — he wants that done a certain way and if I miss the mark, he gently turns his head from me and moves away, lol
Back to Chcolate, it could simply have been impatience, in which case he would need a mild correction accompanied by a firm “no”. Since he seems to enjoy his grooming sessions, I’m going with “he’s trying to ask for something and you’ll have to figure out what” , lollol.
Sorry that isn’t much help but with a new horse, communication can often be frustrating when I know they are asking for something and I can’t figure it out.
When I was shampooing Rusty a few days ago, Duncan was loose and already had his shower. He started pawing the ground as soon as I turned the water hose on Rusty. I aimed the water hose at Duncan’s neck and he stopped pawing.
Keep in mind Duncan wasn’t even haltered, he had the choice to walk away but he wanted me to spray him with the water hose. In this instance pawing was the only way he knew to get my attention and ask.
It is possible Chocolate wanted something else during his spa time - maybe his face rubbed with a washcloth, his neck massaged, etc. it could be that somewhere in his past there’s a routine he wants back.
I don’t tie Duncan, the new horse, to groom him. He will stand still for everything except his face grooming — he wants that done a certain way and if I miss the mark, he gently turns his head from me and moves away, lol
Back to Chcolate, it could simply have been impatience, in which case he would need a mild correction accompanied by a firm “no”. Since he seems to enjoy his grooming sessions, I’m going with “he’s trying to ask for something and you’ll have to figure out what” , lollol.
Sorry that isn’t much help but with a new horse, communication can often be frustrating when I know they are asking for something and I can’t figure it out.
There are many things I think could upset a horse. Literally he might saw or listen to something that was off to him. Did you saw any other horse near you runing or presenting a nervous behavior? Horses catch up real fast with near horses. That's also a behaviour you need to practice.
I'm not an expert and started owning horses just a year ago. At first one of my horses would instantly freak out if the horses from other acres or the feral horses started randomly runing (he would try to run away too and controling him from the saddle was difficult). We taught him a "look at me" cue based with rewards and offered another behavior to his flee response (that gave him an inmediate reward).
Once my mare got attacked by lots of wasps and she of course went crazy, she almost run through me. I yelled her to STOP with my hands up and as soon as I could catch her I started calling her name and doing the sound I usually make for her to stop movement (I had 0 expectatives for that to actually work) and she stopped. I inmediately reward her with a treat (I always carry them around) and made her walk with me in a short line until she was fully relaxed.
Maybe the horse is testing you or doesn't trust you enough and he needs more time. Maybe he has some degree of pain. Could me many things!
I'm not an expert and started owning horses just a year ago. At first one of my horses would instantly freak out if the horses from other acres or the feral horses started randomly runing (he would try to run away too and controling him from the saddle was difficult). We taught him a "look at me" cue based with rewards and offered another behavior to his flee response (that gave him an inmediate reward).
Once my mare got attacked by lots of wasps and she of course went crazy, she almost run through me. I yelled her to STOP with my hands up and as soon as I could catch her I started calling her name and doing the sound I usually make for her to stop movement (I had 0 expectatives for that to actually work) and she stopped. I inmediately reward her with a treat (I always carry them around) and made her walk with me in a short line until she was fully relaxed.
Maybe the horse is testing you or doesn't trust you enough and he needs more time. Maybe he has some degree of pain. Could me many things!
This is TWH Rusty in 2021, age 27. He is 16.1H, making that small space even smaller but he was a down and dirty trail horse in his younger days so used to twisting himself up like a pretzel
My point to this verbal communication & trust between us is, who would know this at a rescue? They would assume Rusty’s possible acting out events were an old horse that had been owned by an old lady who ”spoiled” him and he had no manners. Which is why he gets PTS’d if I go first.
A sidebar — that is my beloved TWH Joker in the stall, the precious horse I lost in February.
My point to this verbal communication & trust between us is, who would know this at a rescue? They would assume Rusty’s possible acting out events were an old horse that had been owned by an old lady who ”spoiled” him and he had no manners. Which is why he gets PTS’d if I go first.
A sidebar — that is my beloved TWH Joker in the stall, the precious horse I lost in February.
I truly hope you will be able to volunteer at this rescue for a very long time. You have tremendous incite and compassion
Regarding Chocolate’s hooves. They will probably Ace him (Acepromazine) to get his hooves trimmed as that’s another thing with rescues and also training barns, nobody has the time to work with the horse, even if discomfort is the cause for non-cooperation.
It can help a lot to double fold a bath towel and stick it under the opposite hoof being trimmed. I know rescues operate on a shoestring budget but, something that helps Duncan, my Dutch Warmblood is to vet wrap both of his bad legs, which are both in his right side. Sort of like an ace bandage for a human. It can be wrapped above the knee, leave an opening the knee or hock to bend, and continue down to the ankles.
There IS a correct direction to wrap legs. I chose this link from a veterinarian, so as to ensure accuracy. Except I take the wrapping one step further and secure the wrap with duct tape because I my horses get turned out afterward and I leave the vet wrap on until it’s bed time.
The farrier will text me when he is 20-30 minutes out and I also give Duncan one quarter of a 227mg tablet of Previcox. Previcox is for dogs and 56.75mg is the approximate equivalent of Equioxx for horses only cheaper.
In case the facility owner is not aware, the FDA has approved a generic version of firocoxib tablets; she may want to speak to the vet about it
www.horseforum.com
Regarding Chocolate’s hooves. They will probably Ace him (Acepromazine) to get his hooves trimmed as that’s another thing with rescues and also training barns, nobody has the time to work with the horse, even if discomfort is the cause for non-cooperation.
It can help a lot to double fold a bath towel and stick it under the opposite hoof being trimmed. I know rescues operate on a shoestring budget but, something that helps Duncan, my Dutch Warmblood is to vet wrap both of his bad legs, which are both in his right side. Sort of like an ace bandage for a human. It can be wrapped above the knee, leave an opening the knee or hock to bend, and continue down to the ankles.
There IS a correct direction to wrap legs. I chose this link from a veterinarian, so as to ensure accuracy
. Except I take the wrapping one step further and secure the wrap with duct tape because I my horses get turned out afterward and I leave the vet wrap on until it’s bed time.The farrier will text me when he is 20-30 minutes out and I also give Duncan one quarter of a 227mg tablet of Previcox. Previcox is for dogs and 56.75mg is the approximate equivalent of Equioxx for horses only cheaper.
In case the facility owner is not aware, the FDA has approved a generic version of firocoxib tablets; she may want to speak to the vet about it
FDA approves first generic firocoxib tablets for horses.
Aka Equioxx, aka Previcox. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-approves-first-generic-firocoxib-tablets-horses One would have to check with their vet as to availability.
www.horseforum.com
So I was out with Chocolate today. He is doing really well after his surgery and eating fine. I am trying to spend more time with him to kind of learn his behaviors and temperament. As I said before he was stomping his front foot really hard and as he stomped he would lift his head. I have done some reading about that and it seems that he is irritated or frustrated with what I am doing ( I was brushing him at the time ). Do any of you find that to be true? Also how do I make him not so irritated? I brush him in his paddock so that if he has had enough he can walk away, which he does at times but not always. Today he only stomped once and I told him No and he didn’t do it again. The new thing now is while I am petting him he will yawn or start acting lick he is chewing hay but he has no hay. Again I did some reading and it seems that is a response of coming down from stress. I am not sure why he is stressed while I am petting him or just hanging with him but we dont really know each other all that much so maybe he is just not comfortable around me yet. If I am in his paddock with him he will follow me around. If I am at the gate to the paddock he will stand there the whole time, walk away and come back, walk away and come back. So I guess he is just not sure of our relationship just yet. I am not sure. I will try to post the video of today where I was trying to get his foot stomping but he just turned around and stood for a few and then did his circle and came towards me again, stood at the fence and then you can see the licking and chewing thing he was doing and than just stood there. I will try to get it posted. But overall he was really good today and I really enjoyed my time with him.
When I see a horse stomp its foot, the first thing I think is flies. I personally wouldn't tell him "no" for stomping his foot. If it's flies, that's not really fair. And if it's because he's annoyed at you, then IMO it's better for you to try to figure out why and do something about that than to tell him to not stomp.
1. The foot stomping combined with raising his head —- does that by chance happen when you are brushing his chest, or between his front legs, or the lower portion of either side of his neck, under his belly?
If so, the brushing bothers him, even if you aren’t applying much pressure. My 28 yr old has always been very sensitive in his center chest area. When something is really bothering him to where he needs the chiropractor look at him, he will try to bite me if I brush his chest. I never correct him because he is not a biter, except those times he hurts and doesnt like the pressure of the brush, and I make sure to tell the chiropractor who is also a vet
In Chocolat’s case the foot stomping/head raising could be him saying “quit that! It hurts!” If it always happens in the same areas of his body.
2. The licking/chewing is a good sign. Yes he is releasing stress. Horses are prey animals and are always stressful to,so,e degree or another. Chocolate is still u of his surroundings — it’s like telling grandpa he has to move out of his home of 50 years, into a nursing home because there isn’t anyone to take care for him anymore. It can take a very long time to acclimate.
The licking chewing is Chocolate telling you he is ok for the moment and the fact that he walks back to you e forces that — even though his foot stomping may be a sign of discomfort when you groom a certain area😀
He is trying to respectfully communicate but without thumbs and a way to verbalize, it’s difficult.
As long as the foot stomping doesn’t escalate and Chocolate starts aiming for your foot, I would just pay attention to exactly what you are doing with him at the moment of annoyance but still tell him no, don’t do that.
***
The Dutch Warmblood who retired on my farm last March is a great communicator but he doesn’t lick/chew. His way of expressing “I’m ok“ “thank you“, etc. is to snuffle in my ear, lightly put his nose to my shoulder, drop his head for me to lightly rub his forehead.
When it’s lights out time at night, I always tell both horses to watch their feet when they lay down because I am way too old to be pulling a cast horse off the stall wall🥴. I swear he understands because he always turns his head toward me with what seems to be a look of understanding.
You and Chocolate are doing great but still keep the eyes in the back of your head on alert as anything could happen to spook him and get you hurt. Which, when a horse spooks it is always away from what scared it. Pay attention to your surroundings and don‘t get yourself in a position to where Chocolate might land on you during a spook
If so, the brushing bothers him, even if you aren’t applying much pressure. My 28 yr old has always been very sensitive in his center chest area. When something is really bothering him to where he needs the chiropractor look at him, he will try to bite me if I brush his chest. I never correct him because he is not a biter, except those times he hurts and doesnt like the pressure of the brush, and I make sure to tell the chiropractor who is also a vet
In Chocolat’s case the foot stomping/head raising could be him saying “quit that! It hurts!” If it always happens in the same areas of his body.
2. The licking/chewing is a good sign. Yes he is releasing stress. Horses are prey animals and are always stressful to,so,e degree or another. Chocolate is still u of his surroundings — it’s like telling grandpa he has to move out of his home of 50 years, into a nursing home because there isn’t anyone to take care for him anymore. It can take a very long time to acclimate.
The licking chewing is Chocolate telling you he is ok for the moment and the fact that he walks back to you e forces that — even though his foot stomping may be a sign of discomfort when you groom a certain area😀
He is trying to respectfully communicate but without thumbs and a way to verbalize, it’s difficult.
As long as the foot stomping doesn’t escalate and Chocolate starts aiming for your foot, I would just pay attention to exactly what you are doing with him at the moment of annoyance but still tell him no, don’t do that.
***
The Dutch Warmblood who retired on my farm last March is a great communicator but he doesn’t lick/chew. His way of expressing “I’m ok“ “thank you“, etc. is to snuffle in my ear, lightly put his nose to my shoulder, drop his head for me to lightly rub his forehead.
When it’s lights out time at night, I always tell both horses to watch their feet when they lay down because I am way too old to be pulling a cast horse off the stall wall🥴. I swear he understands because he always turns his head toward me with what seems to be a look of understanding.
You and Chocolate are doing great but still keep the eyes in the back of your head on alert as anything could happen to spook him and get you hurt. Which, when a horse spooks it is always away from what scared it. Pay attention to your surroundings and don‘t get yourself in a position to where Chocolate might land on you during a spook
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