[Horsegirl878]

OK, so tonight, I worked with my filly...
Had her in the barn first, put leg wraps on her for the 2nd time which she handled fine, put her blanket on and took it off (which she is fine with), then took her into the arena to do some leading work.

About 2 minutes in, she exploded. Jumped up in the air, kicked out, tried to take off... I fell down and jumped to my feet, she turned toward me and started coming towards me (in a mean way), I sidestepped her, then she started running in a circle around me, kicking out and bucking.... I was afraid she was going to run me over... She has never done this before. She's thrown tantrums, yes, but only very minor ones. Never anything like this....

How do I fix this?? What am I doing wrong??

I've had her since birth, she's my baby, and she's super-attached to me... In the barn she gets worried if I'm out of sight, even if it's just for a moment.... So what happened??

Help... I'm so confused.... What do I do now?? I just put her away this time because there was no one else around and she scared the **** out of me so I was afraid I'd get hurt... I know it just taught her that doing that works, but I was so scared...

[Rosie12]

Sounds like she's trying to be domninant. All horses try it at least every once in a while. I'd suggest carrying a crop or lunge whip with you. Next time she does it, don't give her the chance to charge. Don't be stupid, but give her a swat and turn yourself into the agressor. If she did this to a horse that was above her and planned to stay there, she would get the same treatment she was giving. Maybe worse.

[gluey33]

It sounds like she's a bit full of herself. It sounds like Rosie said that its time you asserted yourself as boss. You should carry a whip for a while. Do some searches on respect and groundwork. I found some good reading in this thread
Pushy, No respect, & a Space Hog!!!
and a quick search will find you a lot more.

If shes acting loopy you need to mentally grow yourself into the dominant one. Sometimes especially if they're not used to it a loud yell and aggressive manner will get what you need, other times you may need to get those hindquarters yielding and moving away, it may or may not require the use of the whip. If she comes at you again grow big, yell and use the whip. That is totally unacceptable behaviour.

And make sure someones around for a while when your handling her.

[margaret]

Agree with both above.
But get on her fast I have seen a filly attack 3 times and actually knock the people over.Then try to attack them once down.
I finally got someone in to fix it someone a lot faster on there feet than me and she has a new learnt respect but she needed all she got.

[mftx4]

Sounds like she's testing you. How old is the filly? Horses go through 'stages' just like kids. This maybe the 'let's see whose the boss' stage.

[Horsegirl878]

Thanks all, I'll do that. My filly's a year and a half...
I'm just a little frustrated... I'm trying to do all her training myself but I don't have any experience with yearlings... With other ages, yes (10 years of riding), but yearlings... No. I need all the advice I can get, and I'm soaking it up.

Really appreciate the tips.

[Appy Luvr]

My almost 2 yr old filly was doing that to me this spring. She actually turned and kicked a bucket right out of my hands! Scared me to death. I had to get pretty strict with her, correcting her even if she was slightly pushy and letting her know I'm the boss, not her. I also cut WAY back on her grain as I think that was part of why she was acting so hyper.
Good luck with yours, it's scary when they turn on you!!

[rwinksters]

It sounds to me like she's trying to take the lead position. A lot of fillies in a herd will test the older mares and unless they get reprimanded, they keep enforcing their position. I'd do just like everybody else is saying, teach her who's boss. You don't have to hurt her, but a few good slaps can teach a filly a lot. It's no worse than getting kicked...

[Auzzie Honey]

Sounds like a typical young horse to me

Young horses will test you at completely random times, put you through your paces, so to speak Now is the time to get in her mind that she cannot behave like this as it's not safe. Take up lead role, and kindly let her know that you are the boss in the joint, and that when she is with you - regardless if its standing, leading, picking out feet, etc.. that it is time to behave. 'Play' time is paddock time, your time is behaving time.

Now young horses like to play, so make what ever your doing fun, interesting, and achieveable in the time frame. Keeping her occupied and interested will help you down the track when it comes to riding, but also help her control her excitement and trying to take over the world by dominating you ..

i.e. teaching leading - set up some cone to weave through. After your session, let her fun freely in the arena with the cones and let her play (or put one in the paddock). But if she missbehaves, the cones go away, and you make sure you let her know (don't scold her, just calmly correct her) that the rearing or anyother 'bad' behaviour isn't good, nice calm happy horse is.

I know you didn't ask for 'what can I do to make it interesting for the horse', but it may help you. This is just typical 'teen' behaviour (teen as in human teen .. think about when you rebelled against your 'rents to pull the wool over their eyes, etc).

Bit hard to explain over the net .. hope this helps.

[Horsegirl878]

Thanks, that helps a lot. I'm busy all weekend though unfortunately so putting these into effect will have to wait until Tuesday.

Thanks!