Head Rubbing , nipping and bad behavior

Question
I have a five year old half paint half quarter gelding that every time you turn your back on him he will nip you, also he is very bad to rear when place in cross ties breaking his halter. once you get him saddled to ride he is a little hard headed to stop and if you dismount he will take his head and rub against you repeatedly.Like he is trying to dry the sweat on his face. I got him as a three year old and he is a green broke horse. PLEASE HELP! In the field he is as gentle as a lamb comes to you and is the most beautiful manner so far, he is also a very big horse about 16 hands.

Answer
Hi Sissy!

All of the issues you describe are centered on the fact your horse is disrespecting your dominance.  He sees you as submissive to him and if you want a better relationship with him, you have to change that first.

Because you have no "mind" control over him, I would not ride him until you do.  His aggressive actions will only get worse as you push him to do more things he does not want to do.  

I have seen this repeatedly in QH's in the 5-8 year old range.  They are very dominant and sometimes outright dangerous.  He is "gentle as a lamb" when you are not asking him to do anything he does not want to do.  But, the minute things are not going his way....he acts out badly.

You cannot fix this yourself.  If you have owned him for 2 years, you have made him what he is through not establishing your dominance over him the first day and everyday thereafter.  When I say dominance, I do not mean through beating or violence. I mean through speaking to him in the language he understands as a herd animal.

Ask your vet, farrier or tack shop to recommend a local trainer who has experience in QH's to come out and evaluate your situation.  If you like them, hire them to teach you how to control and dominate your horse on the ground first and then in the saddle.

Once you have explained to your gelding that you are the "Boss Mare" in your herd of two, things will be much happier and above all much safer!

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange