www.horsesring.com - My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise

Posts: 4

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/02 09:06 OK, Sorry but this is long. I am not only new to this form, I am also a very new owner of two horses. I have only had them a couple of months and they are my first horses as an adult. But I think I messed up with my gelding. He is a bully. I mean he has no respect for anyone, but my 3 year old son. Explain later. I bought them both from the same horse trader and they were both very hungry. My mare not so bad, but my gelding was all skin and bones. He looked bad. We have fattened him up and figured if he just figured out that there would always be something for him to eat he would stop trying to run us down looking for food, and stop bulling my mare. Once he tried to run me down for a roll of paper towels. He thought it was something to eat. Yes I was scared, and yes I ran. Like I said, very new horse owner. Well he hasn't stopped. But I did. I quit being scared. I finally had to stand my ground. Here are his problems. He has bit my 3 year old son, not hard enough to break the skin. Just left a tiny bruise on his chest. I wanted to kill that horse. I mean I was P. Off. But not knowing what to do, I did nothing. Stupid mistake. But he has never bit my son again. But I still don't trust him. My 3 year old, who has never in his life been around a horse in his life hit this horse square in his nose when he bit him. I didn't notice it at the time, I was to scared to see anything but the bite. But he was sure to tell me about it as I ran carrying him in the house. Well I was watching out the back door the very same afternoon, my son was out in the yard with my husband. And around the corner came Dakota, that is my 3 year old. And he is holding the ear of this huge 15.2 horse walking him around the yard. I had to cover my mouth to keep the scream from coming out of my mouth. I knew if I screamed it would startle the horse and that would be the end of Dakota. My husband looked over at me and put up his hand to stop me from doing anything. He calmly walked over to me and said "just watch" . Koda didn't actually have his ear. He just had his hand placed behind his ear and the horse was following him. EVERYWHERE!!! The same horse that chases me around the yard, kicks and bites my mare, tried to kick me, kicked my husband and bruised his ribs is being led around the yard by a three year old baby. He will stand still for Dakota to climb all over him, but bucks everyone else. What are we doing wrong, that a three year old is doing right. If my son cries, he will run us over to get to him, it is strange to me. He is a bully to everyone. My poor mare is always getting pushed around. I hate to see this. She was the one the trader was sending to Mexico for slaughter. That is why we bought her. He was an after thought. I do work with them both. I have a friend who is a horse trainer. And even he is shocked about Dakota. So how do I gain this horses trust, and get him to stop picking on my mare. By the way, I have tried to separate them with just a fence between them, and my mare almost broke her leg trying to get into his pen. Any advise is welcome. Except selling him. It would break my sons heart to get rid of HIS horse. I admit we have made a lot of mistakes with this horse. He has been a real learning experience. Here is a site to see him. It's my face book account.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30874169&id=1220604974

Post edited by: Tawnya, at: 2010/01/02 09:09

Post edited by: Tawnya, at: 2010/01/02 16:34

| | | post reply

Tawnya

Posts: 4

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/02 21:46 Ok, so maybe there are some people out there that just really shouldn't own horses. And maybe I am one of them. But I can't just sell them. I am just not built that way. I promised them that after all the homes they have had in the past, and after everyone else has used them up and sold them off as stupid, dangerous, or just plain unworkable, I can't and wont give up on them. I really want to make this work. I do realize that they didn't understand a word I said, but I do adore them both. I just have no experience with horses. Not any that I can boast about anyway. But everyone has to start somewhere. And it just so happens that these are the horses God has put in my hands to take care of. I just want to do it with as much knowledge as possible. I can't let them down. So if you have any advise to help me out with this gelding, I will listen. Thanks.

| | | post reply

luvallbreeds

Admin

Posts: 2369

Karma: 13

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/03 05:40 You don't need to sell your horses

you just need to get educated on the care and handling of horses. Find a local horse club or lesson barn and start taking lessons on the care and training of horses with behavior problems. Everyone is a beginner at first and we have to learn how to care for, handle, ride and train our horses. It is easy to explain why your horse is not bothered by your young son he doesn't ask your horse to do anything he doesn't want to do. Some people are naturals with horses others need a plan and good teacher to show them the way. Either way both your horse and yourself need someone with experience to lend you a helping hand. That is something no one can offer over the internet. We can only offer support and encouragement, with an occasional helpful hint.
Welcome to the forum

and the wonderful world of horse ownership it can be a great one. Please get some help before you get to discouraged, owning horses does not need to full of disappointment.
---------

Popular posts by luvallbreeds
scary Easter Bunny
photos from Oregon wild Kiger Musta...
I can Not submit photos

| | | post reply

Snazzy

Posts: 707

Karma: 4

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/04 07:03 I agree with luvall. Firstly thanks for your caring about these two creatures of God and helping them find a loving home. My friend who loves horses too, didn't know anything about them and now she owns three. If it is in your heart and you truly love them, you can do this. Horses can be dangerous and a biting horse is one for sure. I will tell you that "yes" you do have to start somewhere. Get your hands on every book you can. READ everything you can and ask as many questions you want. Your going to get many different opinions, you just have to find something that will work for you and your horses. I will add that you do have to show this horse , your BOSS. You say move, and he better. If you don't they will run right over you. You will WIN his trust, but one thing is......OWN DINNER time for sure, among other things. I agree with luvall in taking lessons, going to local stables and learning all you can. I wish the best for you and feel free to ask anything you want. We can only give helpful hints, but hey that is why were on a horse forum. To support each other. good luck to you and again, congrats for being a horse owner. A horse is good for the soul.

Popular posts by Snazzy
Celebrity Name Game
Homemade First Aid Recipes
Foalcare site

| | | post reply

Dasho

Posts: 4431

Karma: 6

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/05 06:25 Yeah can't really add alot to what luvallbreeds and Snazzy have said. But good luck, take all the advice you can, and welcome to the forum.

---------
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

Popular posts by Dasho
Standardbreds
Mud Fever
Pictures

| | | post reply

Tawnya

Posts: 4

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/05 06:37 I am starting an Equine Science Course on the 16th of this month. I am going to learn all I can since I have a college campus right here in my area that offers it. So we will see just what will happen. Thank you all for your advise.

| | | post reply

estherj92

Expert

Posts: 73

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/05 15:37 This is just an idea, but it really helped when my mare was getting really nippy and regarding me as a walking treat.

I stopped hand feeding her, and actually for a while, didn't feed her treats at all. When I do now, I drop them on the ground or put them somewhere where she can get them but doesn't have to eat them from my hand. She isn't nearly as nippy as she used to be. Now she doesn't view me as food, which has really helped our relationship.

Also, if your gelding tries to bite you when you have him on a lead rope never hit his nose in response. As you know, horses are flight animals, and people have to win their trust. If struck when biting, the problem may only get worse. Some people have told me that it helps their horses to respect them and their space. However in my experience, it made Diana's biting problems worse, and she began to act very leary of me and agressive if I tried to approach her. If a horse tries to nip at you, simply bump the shin of the near foreleg with the toe of your boot. Not hard, but just to get their attention. If you just bump it every time they try to bite they will soon automatically look down at their leg every time they even start to nip and eventually the nipping behavior will stop as they learn to anticipate a bump every time they do it. It doesn't hurt them, it just touches nerves in their leg that are sensitive and it distracts them very effectually from their purpose. Hope this helps.
---------
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." --Jim Elliot

Popular posts by estherj92
opinions on shod horses versus bare...
how to keep a fly mask in place...
unusual lump...

| | | post reply

Snazzy

Posts: 707

Karma: 4

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/06 22:25 Good idea esther...drop in bucket if feeding snacks...own the bucket though..lol

Popular posts by Snazzy
Celebrity Name Game
Homemade First Aid Recipes
Foalcare site

| | | post reply

estherj92

Expert

Posts: 73

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/11 02:56

How is the gelding doing...? I hope the problems he was having are getting better.
---------
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." --Jim Elliot

Popular posts by estherj92
opinions on shod horses versus bare...
how to keep a fly mask in place...
unusual lump...

| | | post reply

Snazzy

Posts: 707

Karma: 4

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/11 05:25 Yes I was wondering also.....

Popular posts by Snazzy
Celebrity Name Game
Homemade First Aid Recipes
Foalcare site

| | | post reply

Tawnya

Posts: 4

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/12 01:37 Much Better. We are now able to actually walk to the barn, in the open with just a small amount of fear. I don't let him bully me into letting him eat from the food bucket as we walk to the barn to put it in his feeder. He still bullies his pasture mate, but I don't know yet how to stop that. We still have to be careful when we are around him while he is eating. But it is getting better. I was able to ride him around the pasture, and his feet really did move. I was so proud of him.

Like I said, I am starting College on the 19th of this month. I am going for my Equine Science Degree. While I am at it, I have decided to go for Farm Mgmt, and a couple of certification's. Why not. I am close enough to attend, and I need the knowledge. Couldn't hurt.

| | | post reply

Dasho

Posts: 4431

Karma: 6

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/13 06:23 Well that sounds like some nice big steps in the right direction! Congrates! I hope things continue to improve for you. And have fun at college, sounds like you are going to be very busy.

---------
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

Popular posts by Dasho
Standardbreds
Mud Fever
Pictures

| | | post reply

luvallbreeds

Admin

Posts: 2369

Karma: 13

My Gelding is a pain (Very Long) Need Advise - 2010/01/14 00:22

congratulations I am so glad that things are improving. It sounds like you are o teh right track.
You really can not stop him from acting like a horse in the herd when your not around and trying to establish his spot in the herd, by picking on other horses. But you can expect him to be on his best behavoir when you or anyone else is around regardless of where he is.
---------

Popular posts by luvallbreeds
scary Easter Bunny
photos from Oregon wild Kiger Musta...
I can Not submit photos

| | | post reply

estherj92

Expert

Posts: 73