[GingerSnap]

Rude faces from my horse get them verbal corrections, just like I would correct one of my dogs. Rudness is rudness and shouldn't be tolerated.

[chocchipcookie]

Originally Posted by buck1173

However, I would not 'punish' the horse for making a rude face. When possible, politely but with authority, ask the horse to back a step when making a rude face. That is your display of 'I'm the dominant one here, rude faces won't get you anything". Simple, low key, to the point.

I like this idea, I think that would work with him. For the most part he's very sensitive.

Originally Posted by tbtrainer

I would never feed one of mine while they have their ears pinned, that will only encourage the bad behaviour.

I'm pretty strict about feeding, and they're polite about waiting for me to put it down etc.
The new boys are learning that I don't appreciate them starting WW3 when I'm standing next to them. Getting there, just slowly!
Thanks so much for your replies everyone, I appreciate your ideas! Hopefully they'll all help out, I'll give it a whirl tonight!

[Xiphias]

Originally Posted by GingerSnap

Rude faces from my horse get them verbal corrections, just like I would correct one of my dogs. Rudness is rudness and shouldn't be tolerated.

I'm the same way, just a AAATTT like you would say to a child to stop them from touching something, works with mine....Xiphias will some times pin her ears, not at me, but at other horses....I don't tolerate that either...not at feeding time...they all have to stand in their spots, and wait, till everyone is either in a stall, or tied in their spot, before I will feed...and she gets fed first...and usually has a sweet expression to me, when I duck under her neck to get into the storage area, and come out with her bucket of feed...and the rest of the crew are also plesent faced....my horses know my tone of voice, and the Key words that I use to keep them in line...

Cathy

[rageandglory]

my "kids" know how i like things, too. Big Mare sees to it that all is in order when she sees me coming. we work well together : ) i rarely have an issue and agree with most of these folks here. "faces" are not acceptable but not always punishable either, depending on the circumstances.

[rascalboy]

My mare only does it sometimes, but I'd just glare. If he's not very dominant, glaring at him (raise your chin up, open your eyes, frown) might quickly make him stop attempting to threaten you. If it doesn't stop him, and he doesn't try and swing at you, ect., then I'd just ignore it.

[PhoenixRising5]

The only time I punish my mare for a "face" is when I'm riding her. (o.k. she doesn't make a "face" any other time). I feel that it means she isn't paying attention to me. That means she has to go do some flying changes or lateral work. If I'm standing around (at a show, ect. ect) she gets a sharp smack with the crop on her neck (1/2 way up).

[freedom32]

A nasty look will just warrant a growl or 'Hey!' from me usually. Make a nasty face and move towards me and things step up a level.

[wrightdanes]

My mare does this EVERY time I halter her and lead her out to get tacked up. I just remind her with a scratch and some pellets that life isn't that bad. Now if she gives a REALLY bad look (and usually that's towards our great danes), I will smack her on the shoulder.

[AQHAgurl]

I have a horse who I know has been severely abused in the past. He often pins his ears in the stall at shows, and always does when being blanketed. I have the benefit of knowing his history so I know why he's doing it in each of those situations which makes me a little more sympathetic, but I would be hesitant to punish any horse just for making an expression.

For example, my horse has been tarped in the past and because of that he HATES having the blanket over his eyes. I try to scrunch the blanket up so it goes over his head quickly, but he still pins his ears as soon as he sees it coming. In the past he's bitten people while they were blanketing him so I do keep an eye on him, but unless he actually tries to bite me, I just talk to him in a happy, joking voice, kind of trying to cheer him up and make the experience less stressful for him. Over time he's gotten better and better about it, and he no longer pins his ears as much at shows, and never at me any more.

Just so you know, I am not someone who hesitates to punish actual aggressive behavior. I fully realize my horse could hurt me if he chose, so if the face ever turns into something more, I don't hesitate to punish him, but making a face indicates he's anticipating something bad, so punishing him is only going to increase that anticipation and lead to more aggresive behavior, IMO

[Jess!]

I get rude faces from Kandee all the freakin' time, she is one sourpuss of a horse. I drive her off every time, make her back up, think, move out...and she still does it. But with her, I think that's just how she is - she is naturally a grump on the ground. As soon as I get on her, her ears go forward and she's happy as a clam.

Usually...this is her [minus the bell boots, I think those just made her crankier...]