My horse is being strange!?

Question

When I was poopicking he kept walking over to me, then suddenly bucking and bolting off all over the field.

And when I went over to give him a stroke/treat he did the same thing :S

He has also become harder to catch. It's like he's having a 'mareish week!'

Answer 1

Just keep working with him.  It might be just a phase he is going thru.  Take a halter and a treat next time to catch him.  Good luck.

Answer 2

He's playing with you!

My old boy used to do the same, periodically he'd see me in the field and would come trotting over and would come close to me and then would dance around like a spring lamb for a bit and then would pelt off and come back over to do exactly the same thing.  It amused him!

I wouldn't worry too much about it, play with him and have some fun!

Answer 3

WTF Elizabeth M u never whip a horse!!!

Answer 4

It sounds like he wants to play!!!  :)

Do you know if there's any bad weather coming?  Or did you change his feed recently?

If he were a mare... i would say that she's in heat.. but since it's a Gelding... idk... He is gelded isn't he???

Answer 5

Mine act like that when they are feeling good...like if we have a cool day following some hot ones...they get playful with me and more so with each other as well.

Answer 6

Sounds like high spirits.  You might have him on a feed that is making him "hot".  Or he may just be feeling good.  Who knows what worms young horses get in their brains?  

Try keeping a treat in your pocket and give it to him sometimes after you catch him.  It worked for me.  Sometimes he doesn't get the treat until after I take him out of the field.  Sometimes I give to him right after I catch him.  I like to switch it around so he won't always expect it.  

When my young gelding became harder to catch (which was after I started riding him regularly) I started by going out to the field and bending over to "look" at the ground.  I acted like I had "found" something interesting.  Curiosity soon got the better of him and he came to me.  I then calmly fed him a cookie, haltered him and led him to the barn.  It works!

Answer 7

Let's get a little more horsey than people-ey.

I horse, within his herd, has a social place.

You, as part of his herd have a social place.

While he may be feeling better than normal due to weather or quality of feed, I suspect he's also testing you to establish your place within the "herd" - even if it's just a herd of you and him.

If he is alone, I would say that this is more than likely the case.  You see, in the world of the horse, when two horses "play" they do so to practice establishment of dominance.  He who moves his feet first loses.

A young horse (and some not so young) will often stick it's nose in your face - if you back away, the horse thinks it is more dominant, and sometimes it's true.  If this happened in the horse world, and the youngster stuck it's nose up to another horse, that horse would either turn away and leave (showing submission) or lay it's ear back and nip the little bugger telling him to knock it off.

I would suggest you keenly watch what is happening and what your reaction is.  when he walks over to you, what do you do?  Your reaction could be causing him to buck and run off.  Additionally, his bucking and running off when you approach him is a sign of his establishing that he will do what he wants to do not, what you want him to do.

Never attribute human activities to horses (or other animals for that matter) - they aren't humans, they don't take part in activities for the same reasons humans do and they don't think like humans.

My yearling filly often will get all antsy and take off running about the pasture, bucking and snorting.  She doesn't do this to play or for no reason.  She either does it when she's scared - there's a piece of machinery near by that's got her worried; she does it when she's not getting what she wants - like when I lock her out of the barn while cleaning her stall (she wants to be in there when I want her out for any one of a dozen reasons) or she's excited wanting your attention to give her something.  My boyfriend's father comes over to mow the lawn.  He always exclaims at how that youngster bolts and runs and squeals when he comes over.  I ask what he does when he sees her do this - he says he grabs a handful of grass and gives it to her and pets her - my response is that she's got him well trained then  ;-).  This is actually true - she's learned that she can get his attention and he'll pet and feed her.  So when she sees him, until he pays attention to her, she jumps around and acts silly.

While your horse is testing you this way, you may watch what it's being fed.  If he's accustomed to grassy hay and has recently been switched to alfalfa hay, his attitude will change drastically - alfalfa is much higher in protein content therefore generates much energy - kinda like giving a kid a soda and candy bar.  Or if his grain has been switched maybe that's giving him energy as well.

No matter what the deal is, I suggest that this seemingly fun little game could have larger, more negative consequences.  You must establish a leader of yourself in this herd of 2 (you and he) and you must be consistent.  He's a good 1000lb animal and if he gets thinking he can do what he wants, he can hurt you (of course without meaning to - he doesn't realize you're not a tough 1000 lb horse too).

If he's giving you problems catching him, you need to teach him 1.  That he can comply with your wishes or he can do something else that's less fun and 2.  That your catching him doesn't mean he's always going to work or do something that's not fun for him.

When you do catch him, it should be for petting and grooming and fun stuff to him (fun for horses = relaxing, no pain, no work, no carrying stuff - not what's fun for you).  Not always putting a sadlde on or doing something he sees as work.

Have fun, but be safe - and get all the knowledge you can about thinking like a horse.  Then you can tell why he does what he does.

Answer 8

aww hes playing he wants you to chase him and tehn chances are he'll chase you back all hes doing is letting you know that hes bored so wants to play with you and you should chase him back because it will help build your relationship and h**l probably be easier to work with the better your relationship is

if you have any problems though feel free to email me x*x

Answer 9

Get a whip and Carry it around with you

Answer 10

He's feeling good and is full of himself for some reason- and this is his way of letting you know it. It sounds like he needs something else to do with his life- standing around all the time is boring, and I think he wants you to pay attention to him more.

Answer 11

Is he by himself or does he have other horses to interact with? It does kind of sound like he was attempting to "play".  Sounds like he may be asking for more attention or looking for something fun to do.  Try giving him some more treats and maybe buy some "toys" for him to play with.