rearing, walking forward into me

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1 year old 1/2 arab colt, (quarter)
I work with him alot, and hes pretty good, HOWEVER.. it seems the thing hes doing now when Im in front of him, and I try to back away from him, to lunge, or do any groundwork..he just keeps walking with his head up high right toward me, if I hit him with a whip, aor carrot stick, he doesnt care he just comes at me faster, and hell rear!! This is terrifiyng ..I want to be able to get him to stand and stay out of my space, w/o charging up on me..hes fearless, of me, or anything I have to keep him back...what should i do? (and yes, he is gelded!!)
Thank you in advance for any help, Im afraid of him hurting me!

ANSWER: Hi Christine...

Does sound like this little guy has herd rank issues and is getting a little above himself.

One solution would be to turn him out with boss mare or boss gelding, and let them knock some manners into him.  Equine discipline is usually a lot harsher than anything we humans can devise!  

Another way of dealing with his attitude is, when he comes at you, move to the side, and as soon as he stops send him on in the direction that you want him to go in.  Horses have excellent vision, but by moving when he has already fixed on you as a target, this will confuse him, and should stop him short.  

A third way is to have a line of poles on the floor of the paddock where you are working him, or a square of poles is better.  Step inside this, and let him loose, always keeping hm on the outside of the poles...don't let him cross into your space.  If he does, square up to him, and chase him out, I mean really get tough on him, and growl, wave your arms, whatever it takes to keep him out of your spcae, even if you do look like a crazy woman!!!! (and I have done this, and you DO look like you've escaped from the asylum!!!)  

Once he stays outside the poles without you having to warn him, extend them out a little, and carry on till he respects your space.  This should take a few weeks, but it will work, just have patience.  Sounds to me like he knows you are getting frightened, and is really trying to make himself seem bigger than he actually is.

I hope this has helped, and if there are any other problems, then please feel free to contact me.  Good luck with your boy.

Emma xx



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: That sounds like very good advice, I cant wait to try it..
I have tried moving to his side, but he just moves up on me so fast, wherever I am..Hes been with his mom all this time, and although I took him away at 8 months for three months, from her, now that theyre bacjk together again, he has started nursing again, very embarrassing for me to admit this..but theres 6 other mares out there, and his mom is the alpha, so hes always running to her, and shes always protecting him..Last night I took him away, and am keeping him with a very bossy agressive mare, I have only pasture, so mom has to be in the vicinity, but they cant be close to one another now.I am very confident about trying the pole thing, I think he wouldnt walk over those to get to me..Is he an agressive, bad horse? I feel so bad, Ive worked with him so much, and really get on him when hes naughty, and given him so much love, i dont see how hes turned into a demon!!

Answer
Right, this little man needs a reality check, he's growing up, and trying to assert his authority over you.  

Not your fault hun, he's just going through equine puberty, and although he's been gelded, it does take a while to get the hormones out of his system.  

Next time he tries this, hold your lunge whip/carrot stick across your chest, and as he comes at you, give him a short, sharp smack across his chest.  I know it sounds cruel, but honestly, I don't think that we've got tough enough with him.  


Try to make the whip end crack, the sound should bring him up short.  Practise making the end crack....it will pay dividends in the long run, and just the noise should make him pause.  

Either that or really get physical with him, close with his head, and get hold of him, so he can't rear, and physically shove him out of your space, and once he's out where you want him, walk off with your back to him, no contact, nothing.  This is like the boss mare in the herd disciplining an unruly youngster, she will walk away, and keep on chasing him away till he starts licking and chewing, and dropping his head, then you can accept him.  

I sincerely hope that you can work through this with him, and I hope my advice helps.  

If there are any other problems, please contact me.

Emma xx