bratty behavior!

Kirsten93 · 04-29-2008, 08:46 AM

So I have a problem with the gelding that I ride (unfortunatly he doesn't belong to me

) I love him to pieces, and he's a great ride (though young and quite spirited

but he had problems with grooming. When grooming him, he acts really bratty, with biting, and swinging his but around at me, and he once even tried kicking with his front foot! I realize that a lot of this might have to do with thin and sensitive skin, but the problem is he gets absolutely filthy while out on the paddock! so when the mud cakes up, its impossible to get out with a soft brush. Obviously, keeping him inside is not the answer, but what do I do with this guy? Should I grit my teeth through his bad behavior or are there other grooming techniques that I could try that might not be so hard on his sensitive skin?
Please help!
Kirsten

Kirsten93 · 04-29-2008, 11:34 AM

bump...anybody? I really need help here!

AllAroundRdr · 04-29-2008, 11:37 AM

Sounds like something could be painful and that's why he's exhibiting the behavior he is.

Meggilyn · 04-29-2008, 12:13 PM

I have a kind of curry comb that I use on sensitive horses. It's like this:

http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/sb-produ...3&category=116

(it's like the red one in the pic) The rubber parts are really bendable and still get the dirt off. I also use it on horses' legs because it's so soft but still works. =)

Kirsten93 · 04-29-2008, 12:34 PM

cool, I'll look in to that, any ideas on correcting his biting and butt swinging habits though? He still needs to learn, because he's actually around kids a lot (these kids are actually learning well, but I'm worried about him hurting them)

PaintYourWorld · 04-29-2008, 08:47 PM

You can't put up with behavior like that, because it will only get worse. Asssuming that he has nothing bothering him I usually carry a crop with me whe I groom my paint that used to do that and whenever he would act as though he was going to bite or kick me I would smack him. Not hard, but like if he went to bite I would pop the fleshie part of his nose loud enough to freak him out or if he went to kick I would smack his butt.

Kirsten93 · 04-30-2008, 07:55 AM

well, if he tries to bite, I give him a smack on the nose, but I don't feel right using a crop on him. I do use one when I ride to help give signals, but I hate smacking him with it. I dunno if that's just me being overly sensitive...but I only wanna use that as a last result

and to the other poster who said he was in pain, I kinda already said that...he has thin skin (i think) so I don't use any hard brushes on him, but I need to get all the filth off!

rascalboy · 04-30-2008, 03:02 PM

I second that curry idea. Get a rubber (not plastic, or metal) curry. Preferably with lots of short bristles. I love mine...
In the meantime, I'd whack him. Lol, I know some people are against smacking their horses, but it's what works for me. You could also try "No!" or "Quit" in a sharp, firm voice, or a pull on the line.

AllAroundRdr · 04-30-2008, 03:10 PM

I'd be 'leary' of correcting an *issue* if pain hasn't been ruled out first and foremost.

It's not right to punish an animal for acting out if something is causing it pain. Once pain has been ruled out then I believe correcting such behavior is completely necessary.

PaintYourWorld · 04-30-2008, 04:05 PM

Also when I smack my horses I always say "no' or "quit" before I smack them that way it gives them a warning before I do it so eventually when I say no they just quit, because they know the crop is comming if they don't.

04-29-2008, 08:46 AM	#1
Kirsten93 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 382 Images: 66	bratty behavior! So I have a problem with the gelding that I ride (unfortunatly he doesn't belong to me ) I love him to pieces, and he's a great ride (though young and quite spirited but he had problems with grooming. When grooming him, he acts really bratty, with biting, and swinging his but around at me, and he once even tried kicking with his front foot! I realize that a lot of this might have to do with thin and sensitive skin, but the problem is he gets absolutely filthy while out on the paddock! so when the mud cakes up, its impossible to get out with a soft brush. Obviously, keeping him inside is not the answer, but what do I do with this guy? Should I grit my teeth through his bad behavior or are there other grooming techniques that I could try that might not be so hard on his sensitive skin? Please help! Kirsten

04-29-2008, 11:37 AM	#3
AllAroundRdr Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southern CA - The Land of Fires & Shakey Ground Posts: 4,008 Images: 26	Sounds like something could be painful and that's why he's exhibiting the behavior he is. __________________ People say riding isn't a sport...Well you see, the 'ball' I play with has a mind of its own. I've been Goosed..and I LIKED it!

04-30-2008, 03:10 PM	#9
AllAroundRdr Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southern CA - The Land of Fires & Shakey Ground Posts: 4,008 Images: 26	I'd be 'leary' of correcting an issue if pain hasn't been ruled out first and foremost. It's not right to punish an animal for acting out if something is causing it pain. Once pain has been ruled out then I believe correcting such behavior is completely necessary. __________________ People say riding isn't a sport...Well you see, the 'ball' I play with has a mind of its own. I've been Goosed..and I LIKED it!

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04-29-2008, 11:34 AM	#2
Kirsten93 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 382 Images: 66	bump...anybody? I really need help here!

04-29-2008, 12:13 PM	#4
Meggilyn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 392 Images: 10	I have a kind of curry comb that I use on sensitive horses. It's like this: http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/sb-produ...3&category=116 (it's like the red one in the pic) The rubber parts are really bendable and still get the dirt off. I also use it on horses' legs because it's so soft but still works. =)

04-29-2008, 12:34 PM	#5
Kirsten93 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 382 Images: 66	cool, I'll look in to that, any ideas on correcting his biting and butt swinging habits though? He still needs to learn, because he's actually around kids a lot (these kids are actually learning well, but I'm worried about him hurting them)

04-29-2008, 08:47 PM	#6
PaintYourWorld Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 785 Images: 14	You can't put up with behavior like that, because it will only get worse. Asssuming that he has nothing bothering him I usually carry a crop with me whe I groom my paint that used to do that and whenever he would act as though he was going to bite or kick me I would smack him. Not hard, but like if he went to bite I would pop the fleshie part of his nose loud enough to freak him out or if he went to kick I would smack his butt.

04-30-2008, 07:55 AM	#7
Kirsten93 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 382 Images: 66	well, if he tries to bite, I give him a smack on the nose, but I don't feel right using a crop on him. I do use one when I ride to help give signals, but I hate smacking him with it. I dunno if that's just me being overly sensitive...but I only wanna use that as a last result and to the other poster who said he was in pain, I kinda already said that...he has thin skin (i think) so I don't use any hard brushes on him, but I need to get all the filth off!

04-30-2008, 03:02 PM	#8
rascalboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 672 Images: 4	I second that curry idea. Get a rubber (not plastic, or metal) curry. Preferably with lots of short bristles. I love mine... In the meantime, I'd whack him. Lol, I know some people are against smacking their horses, but it's what works for me. You could also try "No!" or "Quit" in a sharp, firm voice, or a pull on the line.

04-30-2008, 04:05 PM	#10
PaintYourWorld Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 785 Images: 14	Also when I smack my horses I always say "no' or "quit" before I smack them that way it gives them a warning before I do it so eventually when I say no they just quit, because they know the crop is comming if they don't.