Why did my horse do this

Question

my quarter horse boomerang is a year and a half and was gelded on july 1 08 and is was out in his pasture standing 10 feet from him and he comes to me bucking and rearing and he kicks me in the arm i was on the ground trying to get out he comes back and bam right above the ribs why is he going this .

and yes he is the only one in his pasture .

Answer 1

That's weird for a gelding to do that but I think your horse might be trying to show his authority. Make sure that you know about his past and if he's ever been abused or hurt by a human. Also Sometimes people can accidentally make movements or signs that are threatening to horses, without even knowing it! So get info on his background, watch your body language, and if you need extra help, definatley call a professional horse trainer, they know what they're dong! :D

Answer 2

He could of a had a horse fly on his butt or he got to excited or he got scared, he was happy to see you i guess. There are many possibility's.

Caroline P you know do don't have to ask a vet about everthing!

Answer 3

Maybe he read in your body language that he could.  He may have started out playing and it just escalated.  If you had had something strong enough and big enough to get him as he made his first pass, I doubt that he would have returned with the same attitude.  Some horses get to playing with each other and it gets pretty wild and rough, until one of them gives in.

Answer 4

ooo He sounds dangerous.   Get rid of him before the next time its your head he kicks off. He may have a mental illness,  it does happen.  It's not worth you getting hurt over and if he's just a jerk well you cant really fix that.  I wouldn't trust him.

Answer 5

this is a dominance issue. anytime a horse deliberatly runs toward you to attack he's trying to assert himself as the head of the herd. horses that kick out of fear will NOT run toward you to kick... they will kick out and flee or move as far from you as possible. he sees you as a threat to his status as leader. you need to gain dominance over this colt NOW! it's normal behavior for young colts to push the boundaries and try to dominate other horses. since there are no other horses for him to interact with you've become his challenger. horses are herd animals and REALLY need another horse. lone horses just don't function normally and really suffer emotionally. try getting him a pasture buddy. there are tons of free companion horses all over the internet

Answer 6

After being gelded, the body goes through a lot of changes, and the boys just don't feel like themselves. After a year and a half of living in a body that's had a natural stream of testosterone, an interruption/change in the hormones takes some getting used to. Horses express their perspectives through physical movements. When there are no other horses around to enforce social order, they will do with their bodies what they need to do. It's like a young human child who feels frustration and the only outlet they know for frustration is screaming or hitting.

This was a dominance play on his part as he sorts out who he is now that his whole body feels different and strange. It's not personal to you - it's not that you are now a new target, per se. But, without intervention, this behavior has the potential to escalate into repeatedly dangerous stuff.

I would recommend a kind, consistent training program that guides his behavior rather than just treating him like a rogue animals who needs to learn submission. He will need to be with someone who is not afraid of him, someone who can let him know that this behavior is unacceptable without undue punishment. He would benefit from the kinds of exercises that John Lyons teaches, designed to give the horse something to focus on, being handled with a quiet, assertive energy that provides a lot of praise. If you try to just dominate this horse, you run the risk of tipping him to the other direction and teaching him that being with people is all about fighting.

Have compassion for him without sacrificing your own safety - all he knows is how to be who he is. He's not thinking like a human. He's behaving like a horse. I hope you can find a kind trainer to help you guide this young, spirited guy toward a loving life with humans!

Answer 7

WOW thats really unusual i would ask a vet

Answer 8

Your horse doesn't respect you.  Even if it was just a fly, he had no right to hurt you.  Do a lot of ground work exercises establishing yourself as the leader, and seek help from a professional instructor.

Answer 9

Wow that is completely dangerous and unacceptable.

This kind of behaviour can escalate so in no way should you let him get away with this. There is no excuse for attacking or even challenging a rider/handler, especially not for a fly.

I would suggest, just in case, carrying a lunge whip or something with you when you go get him. If he's fine, no biggy, if he charges at you then you can wave it at him to get him to back off.

With a horse that young you can't let him get away with anything. He can't be strong, in your face, etc.

So I would suggest teaching him verbal commands on the lead when you are doing your ground work. (My horses know walk on, t-rot, canter, whoah = halt, easy = slower, wait = be patient and hey = cut it out). Walk out to the paddock and be assertive, don't let him walk all over you in any sense.

I definetly recommend the lunge whip you won't have to use it if he's good and this can be really dangerous.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Lack of respect is all there is to it.  My yearling would NEVER behave that way.  The horse has to know he's not allowed to act like that around you.  It doesn't matter if it was a fly or if he was just excited and playful, kicking and striking is a HUGE no-no.