How can I control a pushy companion horse?

Question

My horse is kept in a pasture with another horse (not mine - belongs to another boarder I've not met). This a very nice horse, but a pushy horse. It is often hard to get my horse out of the pasture gate because the other horse wants to follow. Any tips on how to get the companion horse to respect my space when catching my own horse?

Answer 1

Horses at my boarding stable always do this. It's hard when you don't own the horse.

1.) Find a dressage whip or thin stick.

2.) Visit your horse, but don't take it out yet. Carry some treats with you, a lot of them. give a few to your horse and wait for the companion to come up to you. Stand nice and tall, and don't be afraid to face the horse. Look almost intimidating. If the horse still comes into your "bubble" then follow the next step.

3.) Take the whip, and gently tap his chest a until he backs up. First start out like a little fly crawling on him, and get harder each time. Say "back up!" firmly. If he does, then tell him to "whoa". Now hold out your hand and offer a treat. This is so you can invite him into your space. Repeat.

4.) If he keeps coming, get after him! This is a horrible habit, and a major Dominance  thing. Wave your hands in the air, and crack him if you have to. Stop as soon as he moves away. Stand still for about 1 minute, then hold out a hand and offer a treat.

5.) Repeat whenever you go out to the paddock. This way the horse understands what you mean when you say "back". You have to understand that this horse may just be attached to your horse, and doesn't want to be in a paddock by himself. If this doesn't help, maybe bring out some grain or treats and leave it for him away from the gate. Then he can stay occupied when the other horse leaves. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

I had the same problem. Except my problem was a 18.2 hand 1500 pound Percheron. when ever i would come into the pasture to get my horse he would take off running and get the whole herd of about 13 horses including mine running too. At the time i was only about 11, so after a while i was scared to go and get my own horse. but finally i over came the fear.

    All you have to do is show him who's boss. this doesn't mean that you have to hurt him though. but when you go in take an extra lead rope with you. that way when you halter your horse and you go to the gate and he follows, just pop him in the chest  or the rump with it.(the cotton end with out the metal clip on it). After a while he should learn that you aren't going to let him get away with being pushy and he should back off

    I really hope this advice helps!!!!  Good luck

Answer 3

A couple of easy things to do:  Take a stick or whip with you when ever you go into the paddock with the horses.  Make sure the stick or whip is twice the length of your arm.  When the horse come toward you put the stick up in it's path so that the horse runs in to the stick.  If the horse keeps coming, lightly tap the stick on the horse, if he still does not retreat raise and lower your free arms to your sides in a flapping motion while tapping the horse with the stick.  The horse should retreat.  Another trick I use to keep my horses out of my space while my back is turned is to kick at them if they intrude on my space.  If one of them gets too close they get kicked by me, I simply raise my foot and the more or less run into it.  I give a light kick if they get too close.  They respect me as alfa because I am acting the part.  You always have to act the as the ALFA if you want to be treated with respect.  Horses trust the the alfa horse but respect their space!

Answer 4

You don't have to show the horse that your boss as soon as you walk in the paddock. Before you leave go up to the horse and simply face it and walk towards it and push it back on the chest with your hand. push it right back and then make it stand for a few seconds then you can let it walk away. If the horse is smart it will back up as soon as you pass its head when you go to push it after a couple of tries, its the best way to get horses to respect your space. You will find this when you lead any horse, pull them back as you walk towards them and make them back up, then stop, still being in front of them, make them wait and then walk on and unless they are very pushy, or at least after about 2 tries they will stop as soon as their head reaches your shoulder.

Answer 5

I would also drive him backwards or away from me.  I don't care if he follows to the gate, but once we reach it...they need to stay back.

I would step aggressively towards the other horse and tell him to back off.  I would turn my horse around so I was facing horse number 2.  I would stomp, wave my hands and use an agressive tone.  If that didn't work...then I would have a crop the next time and move him off with that.  Again...I don't care if they follow towards the gate...but they need to learn to stay back from the gate.

I don't recommend 'touching' another horse without that owner's knowledge or say so.  That would make me incredibly angry if it was mine.  I may tell you to go ahead and smack if you needed to...but if you did it without my permission...I would be mad.  Same goes for giving my horse treats without my say so...

Find the owner of the second horse and talk to them about they would like you to handle this.  Until then...you need to try and back the horse off...without touching it.

Just my opinion...