[Anxious1]

Whew.......a lot of work to just do nothin' to him

Isn't that the truth! It is all about the main fact that we need to show them that we are not going to hurt them. It is all about being gentle and forceful at the same time, something that is an artform in itself.

Thank you for sharing and I need to be prepared for when that day comes as I know it will someday soon.

[StarfireArizona]

Originally Posted by Anxious1

Isn't that the truth! It is all about the main fact that we need to show them that we are not going to hurt them. It is all about being gentle and forceful at the same time, something that is an artform in itself.

Thank you for sharing and I need to be prepared for when that day comes as I know it will someday soon.

You are extremely welcome. If you've been around horses you always know to expect the unexpected.

My now 75 year old mother cares for my 4 during the day until I get there in the afternoon.....and she in all her life had never been around them. My big 17hh OTTB gelding is extremely aggressive & will take advantage of a weak human in a heartbeat....and he recognizes that weakness in both my mother and 26 year old daughter. A few weeks ago he trotted across the arena where my daughter was standing & slammed into her on purpose with his shoulder....why ?.....because he can. He has run up to the fence & lunged over it towards my mother walking by.....why ?.....because he can. He learned a LONG time ago that is a death wish to do any such thing with me. He taught me to be tough & loving at the same time.

A couple weeks ago I was teaching him to sidepass from the ground. I don't know if it's because he is an ex-track horse or he is just plain excitable, but he gets very anxious & over-reacts to any new thing we work on. He got sick of my lightly poking him in the side & he swung his head as if to bite me....but not even coming close to me. It was just the thought that set me off. You should have seen the tempest I turned into !!! I swing that lead & whacked him in the shoulder at least 4-5 times while he was circling & trying to escape, and then I made him back up at FULL speed around the whole small arena. He just could not go backwards fast enough to escape me....I was practically walking on his front feet. He was flustered when I finally let him stop....and I let him take a couple minutes to catch his breath. Then I stood there with my hands on my hips (all attitude) looking straight at him. He meekly crawled over & touched my wrist with his nose to say he was sorry. He has been a good boy with me ever since.

If I did any of this with my mare she'd die of fright This boy just needs a very strong hand. When I have to be assertive I am....when I can peacefully enjoy him he is getting lotsa kisses & scratches. Guess it's up to him how the day goes

[Anxious1]

Most definitely and it is all about that balance of tough and love, kinda like my 26 yo Son.

All of my horses are very gentle beings but they know that they can't get away with sh** with me but my husband, they walk all over him. He has learned alot since being with me and he is getting better and sure enough gaining respect.

[StarfireArizona]

Originally Posted by Anxious1

Most definitely and it is all about that balance of tough and love, kinda like my 26 yo Son.

All of my horses are very gentle beings but they know that they can't get away with sh** with me but my husband, they walk all over him. He has learned alot since being with me and he is getting better and sure enough gaining respect.

It's amazing how they see vulnerability in some people. Those people don't realize how quickly they are singled out & in much more danger than those seen as "in charge". I am glad your husband is learning before something serious happens. Ya can't go back & do it over again.

My mother is such a soft heart and she has a hard time reprimanding any animal. On those occasions when I have had to go into high gear & kick this horse's hiney, she has to walk away.....she can't watch. I have told her that if she can't bear to be "in control" then she really has to stay out of his reach....for he could easily mame or kill her. He is just one of those horses..... My daughter is a bit better at standing up to him....but not aggressive enough. He tolerates her attempts, but knows it wouldn't take much to rattle her.

This animal is so smart & beautiful....and just one of those who is smart enough to test the "alpha" on a regular basis to see if they are still worthy of the title. He finds out quickly enough that nothing has changed