Little Horse Quirks?

Question

Well, today is very hot out so no riding until it gets a bit cooler. As a result, I'm bored, so I decided I'd ask you guys what your horses little quirks are!

For example: My horse, Optimus, hates getting his mane pulled and whenever I go up to him with the brush/scissors and start to pull his mane, he either shakes his neck or throws his head up way high so that I can't reach. At 16.2 hh, it's a bit of a reach when his head is all the way up there.

What are your horse's little quirks?

Answer 1

This one isn't mine, but he was at my barn. He's a miniature horse and he's very sneaky. They would put him outside where there was room on the fence for three horizontal boards, but there were only two available to put there. Depending on how it was positioned, he was able to get down on his knees, crawl under, and get out. If it was lower, he was still able to jump over or through. It was so funny because he was always able to get out. I remember once I was tacking up my horse and my dad was with; he looked outside and saw the miniature horse just standing out there (socializing I guess!), so a few people ran out and put him away. A few minutes later, he did it again. It was so funny! My best friend's horse always head-butts her (jokingly),  which is also pretty funny.

Answer 2

Mine farts when I first start riding her, and again about halfway through.  Not just once either, she'll do it for 15 seconds or more!  Sure catches the judges eye :).

Answer 3

I used to have a mare that would squeal and stomp her left front foot if you brushed too close to her flank....  I have no idea how it started.. She sure could startle you awake if you weren't paying attention.

Answer 4

Pulling a horse's mane actually is uncomfortable to most horses.   Try pulling your own hair out 2 or 3 strands at a time... it's tolerable but not a good feeling.   He shakes his neck to try to stop it from hurting.   Instead : use thinning shears to reduce extra bulk.

Answer 5

Well, i don't own a horse, but i used to ride this amazing gelding named Bumper. until he passed away (which happened just a few days ago) but  he had lots of little quirks that made him adorable. He always trips when he's trotting, and not because he's clumsy, but just because he wants to make it seem like he can't work anymore because he's too tired. He also used to crib ALL THE TIME, so i bought a brand new lead rope that was white, navy, and light blue, and i tied him up to this post... right after feeding him a carrot. so he started cribbing and got orange carrot mush all over it, and to this day it's still stained. he also tried to act all tough whenever i would put his saddle on, and show his teeth acting like he was gonna bite me. But i knew that he would never actually do it, because he was too sweet.

well. that's about it.

boy do i miss that horse :'(

oh and p.s. horses don't have nerve endins  where their mane starts, so "pulling their mane" really isn't as uncomfortable as most people think it is. most horses don't even flinch at it, as long as you do it correctly. true, some horses are more sensitive, but all in all, it's not that bad for them.

and it's definitely not the same as pulling our hair out.

Answer 6

My QH mare doesn't get the right canter lead on the right rein. We are starting to get her to get it. It is very difficult! She also rests her nose on the ground whenever I am trying to put on her bridle. SO ANNOYING!

Answer 7

when you make farting noises out of your mouth my belgium mare throws her head and runs away. she is huge but a big scardy cat. its sooo funny lol.

Answer 8

My gelding, Dakota does the same thing. My paint mare, Cheyenne, hate meds (doesn't even have to be shots or oral meds!!!) even if she has a small scrape and i go to put a gel med on it, when she sees that stuff she goes the other way! if my hands are bare i could touch all over her (even her cut) and shes ok, but as soon as she sees even a little bit of medicine on my fingers to apply, she runs. lol funny how smart they are huh?

Answer 9

My girl Calamitty she loves water, so you can imagine how many times I must clean the water buckets and trouf out!!!  Loves to play in it, when it's hot she'll put both from legs in the 55 gallon tank (thank goodness for rubber maid) and splash or just cool off, when I fill the tank she'll come running up and wait for me to hose her:)  Don't know but her father on the trail you didn't want to walk through a water puddle he would try to lay down, I'm waiting for her to due the same.

Denia

that's funny one of my horses when ever you would trot for no matter how long or short she would f**t, f**t, f**t....  Vets at the time said nothing worng and had no problems.  I called her Miss Toots alot, :P

Answer 10

well in two days three feed tubs went missing from my horses' stall.  when we dumped her water barrel out to clean it, three tubs came rolling out.  she's never done that before. i guess she got bored one day.