| Horses, like dogs, are animals that can do considerable | | | | But what if your horse misbehaves when not being |
| harm when they have bad behavior problems. Unlike | | | | ridden? |
| dogs, however, who can only inflict harm by biting, | | | | Misbehavior when being handled: |
| horse behavior problems which can hurt people include | | | | Horses that try to bite or kick at people when they are |
| biting, kicking, or striking out when being handled, and | | | | being groomed, led or otherwise handled may still have |
| rearing, bucking, or bolting when being ridden. So it is | | | | pain issues. Again, the first step is a thorough |
| important to have a well-trained horse, especially for | | | | veterinarian examination. |
| youngsters or even adults who are new to the sport | | | | Is the horse grouchy all the time, or just at certain |
| of horseback riding. | | | | times? If you have a mare, perhaps she bites and |
| What do you do, then, if your horse has any, or even | | | | kicks only when in heat. Many mares have no |
| many, of these bad habits? The first thing to do is | | | | symptoms of being in heat, while others let the world |
| have a thorough check-up. Start by pin-pointing when | | | | know. If your horse has severe symptoms of heat, an |
| the bad behavior occurs, or what triggers it. | | | | ultrasound might be advised to rule out ovarian cysts. If |
| Bad behavior when under saddle: | | | | there are none, there is medication, although expensive, |
| Misbehavior in horses may indicate that they are in | | | | which prevents mares from coming into heat. |
| pain and want to be left alone. If your horse | | | | Does your horse misbehave while being groomed? |
| misbehaves mostly when under saddle, then the first | | | | Again, if the vet check does not reveal a physical |
| thing to check is the fit of your saddle. If the saddle | | | | problem, perhaps your horse has very sensitive skin. |
| does not fit the horse's back, it can cause pinching and | | | | Just be extra gentle in currying and brushing. |
| back pain, causing the horse to act out. An expert | | | | Re-training: |
| horse trainer may be able to assist in assessing your | | | | When all physical causes of your horse's bad behavior |
| saddle and bridle fit, or you may want to hire a | | | | have been ruled out, then it is time to accept the fact |
| professional saddle fitter, because, sad to say, some | | | | that your horse has training issues. The horse may |
| trainers may not have that expertise. | | | | have been abused by previous owners, or he may |
| If the saddle fits good, then check the bit in the horse's | | | | simply be a bossy horse who does not accept you as |
| mouth. If the fit looks good, have a veterinarian check | | | | its leader. The horse may have a fearful personality, |
| your horse's teeth. There may be a tooth problem that | | | | and behaves badly out of fear. There are numerous |
| is causing the discomfort. | | | | possible causes, but to fix them only three things are |
| If your tack checks out OK, then the next step is an | | | | required: gentleness, firmness and patience. |
| overall veterinarian examination to rule out other issues | | | | At this point you may want to find a professional |
| that could be causing pain when your horse is ridden. | | | | horse trainer. Be very selective! Your horse already |
| For example, if there is arthritis in a joint, the extra | | | | has issues. You don't want a trainer whose methods |
| weight of a saddle and rider may be enough to cause | | | | will only cause more distrust. Anyone can call |
| pain. | | | | themselves a horse trainer, so ask around, talk to |
| OK, your tack is not the problem and the horse has no | | | | horse people you trust, and watch any potential trainer |
| issues that the vet can detect. Then ask a trainer to | | | | work to see how they do the job. |
| assess the way you ride. Do you pull excessively on | | | | If you have the experience, time and patience to |
| the horse's mouth? Do you bounce too much in the | | | | attempt re-training your horse on your own, then invest |
| saddle? Over time, these, too, can cause a horse to | | | | in some training videos or books. You can borrow |
| say "I've had enough!" If the horse is new, maybe he | | | | ideas from various sources. It can be very rewarding |
| had bad experiences with previous owners and needs | | | | to work one-on-one and develop a strong partnership |
| to learn that you will not hurt him. All these things need | | | | with your horse. |
| to be well thought out. | | | | |