for lack of better terms, horse related jealousy

Question
Greetings,
    I have recently started riding a five year old quarter horse gelding for a woman that owns him but has no time to devote to riding, general care etc.  He is well trained under saddle,  when he is being ridden,  he is great, no problems.  It is when you go into his pasture to halter him, clean etc.,  that there seem to be some serious issues.  He is in a boarding facility,  with horses on three sides,  if I am out there and even attempt to get close to one of the horses in the enclosures next to him or heaven forbid offer them a treat,  he will immediately get between the other horse and myself and get aggressive,  I will not tolerate the biting,  but he will turn and try to kick to get me away from any other horse.  I am a 53 old female,  I have had my own horse since the age of two,  had horses all my life and have never seen anything like this.  The discipline I have tried so far is a stern loud verbal warning and so far have managed to be out of range of his kicking.  Tonight I was close enough to smack him on his butt with my hand (not hard by any means).  Can a horse be jealous of what their people do, and connect their actions to try and stop it.  I am just sort of lost here and any thoughts and help would be so very appreciated.  Thank you for your time,  I do not feel safe having anyone but myself in his enclosure but myself until I can work on correcting his behavior or mine if it is something I am doing.  His owner did say he has done this to her since she has owned him,  but has done nothing to stop it.

Answer
Hello Donna,

Thanks for your question.

You could try taking a long lunge whip in the pasture with you and when you approach another horse and your horse (the one with the aggressive behavior) starts to act out in with aggression chase him off. Make sure you stay safe where you will not be kicked or over ran. Continue to chase him off until he approaches you and the other horses with his ear put and in a calm state. If once he gets close then he goes to run the other horses again chase him off. Dont show him any attention to him or give him his treat until he approaches you with his ears up and is acting "nice". Soon he will realize that his aggressive behavior is not going to be accepted and he is to act like a gentleman no matter what.

I hope this helps you and your horse out. Please let me know how things are going for you and the horse. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

Thanks