Does anyone have advice on how to deal with a horse that charges with the intent to actually do harm?

Question

This is a rescue horse who had an abusive past and will not let anyone without a death wish come near him. He is very food aggressive, if you offer him a treat he will take your whole hand with it. I don't own this horse, so i don't get to see him everyday, but i would like to help him. I have been trying to let him get used to my presence and voice. Any advice would be helpful. thank you.

Answer 1

I had this problem with my horse when I first got him.

I started out by just hanging out around his stall and getting him ok with me around.

Then after a week or so I started feeding bigger treats like apples and carrots.

Then see if he will touch your hand. Then work your way to his body.

Answer 2

With all due respect, most pro trainers have zero experience with this...you don't make money sitting around befriending abused horses.  You need advice from someone who has long time experience with a horse such as this...maybe at a horse rescue, ASPCA, etc.

Answer 3

I agree with Cowgirl...

This horse is dangerous and should not be dealt with by anyone other than an experienced trainer who understands herd dynamics.

Do NOT feed him anymore treats, you are only reinforcing his behavior and telling him "good boy" for being agressive and disrespectful to his human handlers.

Unfortunately, this is real life, not the movies.  This horse is not going to be miracously transformed by "hanging out in his space" and feeding him treats.  

If he charges and behaves aggressively he is threatening you and saying "Stay away from me or I will hurt you." And he means it.

Most rescue associations have trainers on staff who know how to rehabilitate horses suffering from abuse.  If there is no trainer on staff or he has already been adopted out, the best way you can help this horse is to help his owner find a suitable trainer.

Be VERY careful, never take your eye off of this horse or turn your back to him and keep your distance as much as possible.  I have known people who have been put in the hospital with serious injuries as a result of an agressive horse attack.

Good luck.

***ETA***

Your feelings are noble, but you are thinking like a human and not a horse.  In his mind he does not have to "learn to accept anyone, thank you very much".  I know you want to help, but when you don't know how you could easily do more harm than good.

Think of it this way: the average horse weighs about 1000 lbs, which means you are probably 1/10 of his size.  He is bigger than you, stronger than you, and he knows it.  He is not AFRAID of you, and he can see no need to learn to get along with you.  

If you really insist on trying to form a relationship with this horse, you should talk to his trainer and see if there are any activities they approve of that will, indeed, help the horse.

Answer 4

As long as he doesn't crash through gates to charge you, the only thing you can really do to help him get used to your presence is to pick a spot outside of his secure enclosure (i.e., he cannot get to you) that's close enough but not too close, take a chair and a book, sit down and relax and pay him little to no attention...that will start to get him used to new people being around him, not demanding anything of him/hurting him/frightening him. I do think you can help him in small, safe ways. You seem to understand that he can seriously hurt you and that you need to be super safe and cautious. It's good he has a professional working with him. You should ask the trainer if it's okay for you to try something like this and if he thinks a fence is sufficient to keep him from getting at you before you attempt this though. Also, sing or hum while you're around him, but keep your eyes and attention (including body language) "off of him" directly.

Answer 5

I'll add my opinion with a couple of the other answers that were really good.  I appreciate the fact that you want to help this horse, but the best thing for him is to allow the one trainer who is working with him be the one person the horse has to deal with and learn to trust.  Don't feed him treats, and really, it's best just to leave him alone, since he's probably very stressed.  Once he learns he can trust one human being (the trainer) he may eventually accept other people into his circle of trust. But he may not.

P.S. don't take it personally, that's just the way it is with badly abused horses.

Answer 6

If you have the money,get him/her trained. or you could shoot it in its head if it wont obey. We had to do that with our ponys. My dad had to shoot Him right in the head. He was bucking,and kicking people,and broke my uncles leg

Answer 7

Horses never intend to do harm.  They are just trying to protect themselves from the next human assault.  You can't help him and shouldn't take any chances and get hurt or worse.  Stay away from him until he has been helped by the trainer.  Do not give him treats from your hand or try to touch this horse.  Food of any type should be placed in a bucket and left for him. I understand that you want to help and have good intentions, but this is just too dangerous.

Answer 8

maybe when you have time just spend time outside his stall and let him get curious about you.  the most you'll probably ever do is just be able to talk to it at a safe distance.

don't agree wqith barefoot.  at one stable when i went in the field to get my mare.  one gelding never got attention so he would attack anyone bringing out a horse.  it got to where i had to take a lounge whip with me to get mine.  just snapped at him to keep away.

Answer 9

Do not ever offer this animal a treat.

Give him time to settle - leave him alone to eat for the time being and practice handling him when there is no food involved. Once he can accept your presence without getting stressed he should begin to accept that you are not about to steal his food. It is going to take time.

Answer 10

Don't get near him if he doesn't like it, you got to earn his trust first. That is very good that you are talking to him, make sure you speak slowly and gentle, it relaxes a horse to hear a persons voice sometimes. try to just stay their and talking to the horse for a while and then leave a treat in his food bin, over time he will get the point that when you come he gets a treat, not abuse, therefore gaining his trust. Later try getting close to him, step back if he pins his ears or facing his rear end at you. Once he lets you touch him pet him softly, talk to him, and give him rewards. Sometimes all a horse needs his a friend, become his friend before really thinking about helping him, he won't let you help him if he does'nt think you are his friend. If the horse is too dangerous and past helping that is all you can do is leave him be

Answer 11

I board some horses and had one that was not that bad , but was a one person horse, and  considered everyone else an enemy, she had built a realationship with the horse by food and care over time, could be  a risky job to  work with your horse. No easy answer.

Answer 12

I know you want to help him, but for your own safety, you need to stay away. Only a very experienced horse trainer should be dealing with a case that severe. I know that isn't the answer you wanted to hear but I do hope you heed my warning. This is not the horse that you're going to bond with, mark my words.