[skysthelimit]

Now, I've had horses for a while. I'v ehad horses who come to you, stand and wait for you, and horses who run from you. But I've NEVER seen a horse try to get between you and the horse you are trying to catch.

Here's what happened tuesday: I called the horses over with feed and placed it in three different spots for each of them in the paddock. They all ate fine until i tried to catch Charlie. Tonto (problem horse), runs over to Charlie before I'm all the way too him and scoots him out of the way, encouraging him to leave. Now, he may have just been going for his food, because he did start to eat it...but when I decided to give up on Charlie and turn to Charolette, he did the same thing. he ran her off as I approached her.

Eventually we put them all in the barn, and caught them that way, but I am under the impression that Tonto was protecting them. Am I out of my mind? Could this really be what was happening? Tonto hates begin caught, and his owners (God bless them) are making things worse. When Tonto backs away from whoever has the lead rope, they jump at him, trying to move faster than him and catch him. Basically, they attack him. I'd imagine that Tonto would associate this with preditory behavior, and think being caught is something to be feared. Am I on the right track?

I figure we can fix this by enticing him with treats, sacking him out to the lead rope, and then letting him go. make it a positive thing that he begins to enjoy, not fear. Once he's caught, he's ok to handle, but I just don't know....I figure sometimes we can go out in the pasture and feed him a carrot, don't even try catching him, and then walk away. This way he might stop backing away from us at first sight.

I've never seen a hrose this bad. help?~Brit

[JBandRio]

Tonto is either the alpha of that herd (not likely if there is a mare in there, but possible) or he's a boss/bully. Boss/bully is a more likely situation given 1) the presence of a mare and 2) this behavior. Boss/bully horses feel the need to instigate things out of nowhere, either due to lack of self-confidence or something along those lines. Alpha's don't do that - the only try to put things in order if they are not in order.

[BirdieGirl]

did he just scoot the other horses away this one time? or has he done it on more than one occasion? that's kind of weird...I've had horses do that, but only when THEY want the attention, I've never had a horse encourage another horse to leave when he didn't want the attention himself...so i don't know what to tell you.

But you are right by saying you need to do catch and release, treats (but don't feed him from your hand...horses get pushy that way) and lots of loving. Tell his owners that when he pulls away from them they need to let him do it, he'll figure out it's less work to just stand still.
Good luck!

[skysthelimit]

aaaahhhhh. I had a feeling. The family that owns the other horses said he seems to be teaching the other horses bad habits. It all makes sense now.

Is there a way to fix this bully behavior? I've suggested selling the horse, he's too much for them to handle (they're afraid of him). Thanks!~Brit

[BirdieGirl]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Tonto is either the alpha of that herd (not likely if there is a mare in there, but possible) or he's a boss/bully. Boss/bully is a more likely situation given 1) the presence of a mare and 2) this behavior. Boss/bully horses feel the need to instigate things out of nowhere, either due to lack of self-confidence or something along those lines. Alpha's don't do that - the only try to put things in order if they are not in order.

That's a better explanation... lol! don't listen to me! he he!!!

[skysthelimit]

haha. You have a good point too. But how do we build self confidence in this horse? and I tihnk he does it everytime. Or something similar. It's like he was trying to instigate a stampede, lol. He wanted them both to run from me and the barn. Little snot!~Britt

[lolajane]

if im trying to catch a horse in a field thats not Gypsie, Gypsie will always come over and scoot the other horse out of the way.. i think it's her way of saying "hey mom you forgot about me!"... but i doubt she's do that if there was grain in the field..... hm i don't know

[Pennymercantile]

I have had it happen w/one of my horses I was trying to catch....His pasture buddy rounded him up and got him moving away from me. His pasture buddy went between me and him.

It is just a horse thing...I wouldn't look at it badly just annoying myself. I kind of think he was ROUNDING UP the other horse in his band. Horses aren't stupid and he knows you are taking his friend away.


I think it is kind of smart myself. Annoying and a bad habit but smart. Just continue and perhaps do some sort of joining up. I had to do this to my mare a year ago and after awhile the other horses fell back and ignored me because they knew she was w/me....There was her and another mare who was determined to be alpha and I was equally determined to be alpha...after an hour walking around a pasture the other mare gave up and my mare looked at me and let me catch her.

Just horse stuff.


Gayle

[skysthelimit]

thanks a lo tguys! I tihnk it may have to do with trust issues with his human counterparts as well. They are not proving to be excellent leader, if you get my drift, lol. But they will soon enough, if they keep on with it. He's a touch spoky and i think was smacked a lot by his other owners. But he is not shy of the lead rope.

He was much better today than he ever has been about anything, but was still kinda....pushy. He'll get there. Thanks!~Brit

[Bruce Wiley]

While in your presence, none of them can become the ALPHA.
You're the one and only during feeding time etc...
Bad behavior is just bad behavior and you shouldn't look at it as an human.
They must be taught proper behavior for all occassions.
Set aside the food for the aggessive one at greater distance where this horse can feel that, no one will take it's food.
Stand with your back facing the aggressive one at a safe distance.
If the aggressive one move to take over their food, then you must drive off the aggressive one, requesting the aggressive one to move this way, then move that way and now stand over there near it's food when he or she is taking things at liberty, bullying the others at feeding time.

Any other times when they're togather, only allow the aggressive one to join up with the others when the aggessive one displays an better understanding, perspicacity.
That is your role as the ALPHA.
Be fair, firm, clear, patient and consistant with your leadership.
I hope this helps.