What, seriously, would you suggest..
16.3 HW 8yo IDxCob owned for 3 years by a friend.. bombproof, usually fairly placid but forward to ride/school, hacks nicely, is a bit pushy but usually easy to handle on the ground etc etc..BUT knows her own strength and uses it against you when she wants.. Can refuse to lead, squash you against walls, won't enter or leave arena/yard/stable without a row, cow kicks and bites. All MOT's have been done and passed with flying colours (Back/Saddle/Teeth/General health etc.. incl bloods for hormone imbalances/other illness etc) She had an experienced RI who maintains that horse is just a cow sometimes. Breeder says her mother could be the same. Horse has never (knowingly) been ill-treated.. was backed sympathetically and brought on slowly.
When mare first did this I got on (at owner's suggestion) and made mare go out of yard, up drive and into school whereupon she turned from savage psycho horse into lovely willing ride.. I did smack her but sparingly and only when she really deserved it (backing into wall and double barrelling it/bronking/trying to roll) and not repeatedly but 1 very sharp stingy slap and a good growling at for each naughtiness as it happened - the whole process took about 8mins).. Owner took this approach and horse was 101% improved.. after a while rarely needing to do anything but growl if she napped etc to sort it out..
Owner moved yards and began not smacking/growling etc.. but used long rope/BeNice and circling to try to sort any napping. Problems escalated. Yesterday threw one of her paddy's - Resulting in a large haematoma on owners thigh (kicked by mare while doing circling on long rope), 6 stitches for bite on arm during refusal to walk off yard and a broken big toe (from napping rearing mare)..
She asked for advice/POV and I suggested the smacky/growly route..Owners knows me for several years and knows I don't beat my animals..but totally freaked out.. accused me of inciting cruelty and being callous... Yard-based friend of A also laid into me.. Saying how unhappy my horses must be belonging to someone like me that smacks! .. I'm furious atm but also bemused that anyone could think a smack for genuine naughty behaviour is cruel/abuse..
I think horse is just bolshy and stubborn as once she realises you aren't going to be intimidated she gives in quickly and is a charming forward ride.. but now I'm the devil for suggesting smacking!
What would y'all suggest doing with this horse if you had to give advice..?
Do you think smackygrowly treatment is cruelty ?? (I'm quite sure that I'm not cruel btw - just wondered what other people's take on it all is)
16.3 HW 8yo IDxCob owned for 3 years by a friend.. bombproof, usually fairly placid but forward to ride/school, hacks nicely, is a bit pushy but usually easy to handle on the ground etc etc..BUT knows her own strength and uses it against you when she wants.. Can refuse to lead, squash you against walls, won't enter or leave arena/yard/stable without a row, cow kicks and bites. All MOT's have been done and passed with flying colours (Back/Saddle/Teeth/General health etc.. incl bloods for hormone imbalances/other illness etc) She had an experienced RI who maintains that horse is just a cow sometimes. Breeder says her mother could be the same. Horse has never (knowingly) been ill-treated.. was backed sympathetically and brought on slowly.
When mare first did this I got on (at owner's suggestion) and made mare go out of yard, up drive and into school whereupon she turned from savage psycho horse into lovely willing ride.. I did smack her but sparingly and only when she really deserved it (backing into wall and double barrelling it/bronking/trying to roll) and not repeatedly but 1 very sharp stingy slap and a good growling at for each naughtiness as it happened - the whole process took about 8mins).. Owner took this approach and horse was 101% improved.. after a while rarely needing to do anything but growl if she napped etc to sort it out..
Owner moved yards and began not smacking/growling etc.. but used long rope/BeNice and circling to try to sort any napping. Problems escalated. Yesterday threw one of her paddy's - Resulting in a large haematoma on owners thigh (kicked by mare while doing circling on long rope), 6 stitches for bite on arm during refusal to walk off yard and a broken big toe (from napping rearing mare)..
She asked for advice/POV and I suggested the smacky/growly route..Owners knows me for several years and knows I don't beat my animals..but totally freaked out.. accused me of inciting cruelty and being callous... Yard-based friend of A also laid into me.. Saying how unhappy my horses must be belonging to someone like me that smacks! .. I'm furious atm but also bemused that anyone could think a smack for genuine naughty behaviour is cruel/abuse..
I think horse is just bolshy and stubborn as once she realises you aren't going to be intimidated she gives in quickly and is a charming forward ride.. but now I'm the devil for suggesting smacking!
What would y'all suggest doing with this horse if you had to give advice..?
Do you think smackygrowly treatment is cruelty ?? (I'm quite sure that I'm not cruel btw - just wondered what other people's take on it all is)