I warn EVERYONE of mine!
My gelding doesnt like certain men (usually the ones I dont like either)...he looks all grumpy and snarls - he'll happily take a swing at them (and has done on a couple of occasions) but hes never actually hurt anyone.... Infact there was one man (who is just a miserable git - causes alot of problems wherever he goes, lol) who decided that he was going to go into the field and say 'hello' to my horse....the horse did not approve of him
, and apparently went all out to get him!
The man, by the way, admitted to walking up BEHIND the horse whilst he was eating, and must have just startled him (he said he didnt know you should let the horse know you are there, and walk up the side). Besides that, it was 8pm in the middle of winter and therefore pitch black - my horse had only been in the field 2 days [moved from Cornwall to Nottinghamshire], so was bound to be on edge!
I didnt feel too bad about
that particular incident considering the circumstances- it was the mans fault and he didnt get kicked/injured....however, my horse still doesnt like him - even in the broad light of day!
I do warn people, even now, of how my horse might behave....I tell everyone to be careful, just incase....I even let them know that he is grumpy and naturally oppinionated, and will question what you ask him to do until you let him know that you will NOT be controlled by him....
In all fairness though, my horse has never actually made contact anyone (yet) - I'd have thought that if he really meant to cause any damage, then he'd have managed to do it by now!?
Ok, so he can be grumpy - he sometimes comes in with his ears back, grumbling and pulling faces, but I just send him out into the school and give him a good chase - how dare he threaten me! After that, he's fine - much more willing to focus on me, and certainly alot less grumpy!
Most of the time he's actually quite a sweet horse - wants to be with you, like meeting new people (especially women and children...oh, and dogs
)infact, he actively seeks you out to lie next to you and sunbathe (aaaaw - I think you can see evidance of such in my photo albums).
....Ive also noticed that, although he might no like what you are asking him to do, he does take care of the person in the saddle - even if he's spooked at something he just holds his breath, puffs himself up then snorts.....doesnt run off with a rider, nor has he bucked anyone off (even when I first backed him - I just hopped up and he was fine!)
... im even happy to let young children sit on him for a plod on the rope or around the field....
If you try lunging him without a rider, on the otherhand, he may squeak, throw a small buck, and even kick out - but he does it so that he's nowhere near you! I let him have his say when hes on the otherside of the school, and then we have no more problems for the rest of the session - I think he just likes to voice his disproval! He does so tactfully though - wont risk bucking anyone off or kicking anyone.... perhaps hes afraid that I might make him do even more work as a punishment, lol
For the most part, I think he's very good - especially for my friends 2 kids - they run out, grab him, swing off his neck, and then lead him back to the stable (they are 4 and 5 years old...the horse in question is 4 and near 17hh)...they do all sorts with him - run around him, even under his belly, pull his tail and he still does nothing to tell them off...
Still....I do warn people of what he could do though- just incase he does decide he doesnt like them for whatever reason
I wouldnt put it past him to kick (more so a man) if s/he got in the way/between him and his food.*
*Incidently, he's not agressive with food - just pushy...you can do anything with him whilst hes eating - even take the bucket away and all he does is put his ears back and try to reach over your shoulder.....he does listen to voice commands though - if you shout "GET BACK", he does obey
Do you think labelling him a "kicker" is too hard on him?
Or do you think im being too soft in the way I described him?
ETA - Ive not noticed my horse kicking any other horses - either out on a hack, or when hes been at other yards/herds....but that doesnt mean to say that he wont take a dislike to another horse at somepoint in the future and give them a good boot! I dont think he would do that, but Id warn the owners just incase....He's not got shoes on, so wont cause as much damage, but still...I dont think its worth the risk. I think hes more the sort of horse to bite another horse to "herd" them forward than he is the sort of horse to kick another just to get them out of the way....Id say he's generally pretty sociable! In the past, he was the horse that was kicked/bullied by other horses....but he was young then.....hes now 4 years old, and will be more full of himself/confident...so who knows how he'd fit into another "herd"!?
Hes the boss at the moment....but theres only him and my little filly in my field
.....Im waiting for my filly to grow up and realise that actually, shes big enough to be the boss!
p.s. there were no reports of him kicking any other horses/handlers whilst he went to a school to be looked after whilst I was on honeymoon....infact, they rather liked him!
