"Back Off!" done right?

[Bebe_Falcon1]

My girl is out with two very spoiled, pushy ponies who - when I’m fetching or putting my mare back - crowd me and get right into my business with no consideration for personal space. I’m quick to halter and get the heck outta there, but it’s never quick enough!

They don’t seem to react to my shooing them like larger equines would, swinging the end of a lead line in their general direction doesn’t seem to deter them, and I’ve physically pushed them away but they come right back. The crowding plus the fighting and jostling for what they think is going to be some treat buffet handout situation (reason #481 why you don’t feed other peoples horses) is not a good combo, and it’s just a matter of time before I’m bitten/kicked/trampled.

I’d typically be more “boss mare” aggressive in this situation and demand my space back arms and legs a-swinging (“If you get hit, it’s your own fault!”, anyone remember that Simpsons episode?), but because they’re little, it just feels a bit brutish. Is my best option to take some kind of long whip in there with me to use as an extension of my arm to wave around, or is there a better solution? Sincerely,

Mobbed by Minis

[atr]

Be brutish. Bad mannered minis won’t take offence.

[ravenclaw]

As I was reading your post, the only thing that entered my mind was “take a dressage whip.”

Another option might be a water gun or something else you could spray on them but they might not care about that.

[clanter]

miniatures may be small but in their brain they are at least 16h

We have three, we treat them as a real horse rather a puppy

[Highflyer1]

I second the dressage whip.

[2DogsFarm]

@clanter

miniatures may be small but in their brain they are at least 16h

Make that 18H
My 34" guy gets treated like his bigger herdmates where my space is involved.
When I say Back, I expect a step back, Over means a step away from me. N-O-W!

Treat these Smalls same as you would a bigger horse.
If your Homer () doesn’t shoo them, take a Dressage whip & apply as needed.

[Willesdon]

Flick them on their nose. When they push in, just use your fingers and give them a sharp flick. It doesn’t hurt but definitely surprises them. That might be enough to get them to stay back. It is easier than carrying a long whip.

[chestnutmarebeware]

Dressage whip and attitude!

[B_and_B]

I actually prefer a lunge whip with the lash cut down. I want them farther away than a dressage whip. Minis aren’t as capable of hurting one as a full grown horse, but I suspect a kick would still have the potential to cause injury. If I want horses to back off when they are loose, I want to tell them out of range of hind foot. I made the mistake of telling a pushy horse to back off once while I was in range. I’m not doing that again.
I routinely carry a long whip with my boys, it is an easy way to indicate to them where I want them to be going.

[outerbanks77]

@B_and_B

I actually prefer a lunge whip with the lash cut down. I want them farther away than a dressage whip.

Yeah, a driving whip. They are cheap at the feed store.

[anon40672407]

You’ll only have to use it once or twice before they become aware, so it’s hardly “brutish” in actual application.

[RhythmNCruise]

Minis can be the worst because they are allowed to get away with more due to being small. I knew a mini stud once who frequently ran free-range at his farm. He would literally chase people. His owner said once he was caught, you had to throttle him a good one just to get him to stop being an a-hole and trying to chew your legs off.

He needed brain surgery (gelding) and to be treated like a horse instead of a dog, but people are gonna do what they do.

Don’t feel bad about getting sharp with them. You won’t hurt the tough little knuckleheads and they’ll learn to respect you.

[Bebe_Falcon1]

Thanks for the input, everyone. The little turds still come running when they see me at the gate! Why?!

I do have a driving whip so will take that with me in future. I did try flicking their muzzles, they thought it was just some fun new game where I try and shove treats in their face first

[173north]

I don’t have minis but I do have small ponies. I treat them like they’re 16.2hh and they are expected to have the manners of the same. People let behaviors slip with the little ones because it’s ‘funny’ or less dangerous when they’re small, and that’s how you end up with tiny monsters.

Bring a whip and if you can grab a buddy to ALSO bring a whip and come with you, that’s not the worst idea. I know you probably don’t feel unsafe because they’re small but what would you do if they were 18hh WBs or big draft crosses? Do that.

Once you firmly clear the room a few times, they should get the picture. But I’d keep bringing the whip for a while, they will test the boundaries of this new system/your determination.

[happilyretired]

@173north

Bring a whip and if you can grab a buddy to ALSO bring a whip and come with you, that’s not the worst idea. I know you probably don’t feel unsafe because they’re small but what would you do if they were 18hh WBs or big draft crosses? Do that.

Once you firmly clear the room a few times, they should get the picture. But I’d keep bringing the whip for a while, they will test the boundaries of this new system/your determination.

This!! Act like a mean boss mare – you’ve seen them in the field and they don’t back down.

[173north]

Also, it’s possible they are not responding to a lead rope swinging or to being pushed away with your hand because they were never taught to move away from pressure and literally do not know what you are asking. A lot of people don’t bother to put even this very simple groundwork on minis/small ponies, they just kind of manhandle them and hope for the best.

They might not respond at all to a tap from a whip or they might act like you are murdering them, I’ve experienced both. But even if the whip doesn’t work, walking at them with biiiiiig energy, waving arms, growling should be clear to them.

[endlessclimb]

Got small rocks in that pasture, or clods of dirt? If I’m shooing a horse away that is being a turd about moving off, I throw a small rock, clod of dirt, handful of sand… whatever I can get at them.

To me, this works better than the whip because there will inevitably be a time you forget your whip and those smart little stinkers will know it. The dirt clod trick is great because you’re a MAGICIAN in their minds, as you can bean them without a tool.

Now, I’m not talking a 5 pound clod or anything that can do actually damage, obviously. Just enough to startle them into giving you room.

[Indy]

@173north

I don’t have minis but I do have small ponies. I treat them like they’re 16.2hh and they are expected to have the manners of the same. People let behaviors slip with the little ones because it’s ‘funny’ or less dangerous when they’re small, and that’s how you end up with tiny monsters.

Exactly. Too many ponies get away with murder because they’re cute and little. Ponies think they’re 18.2 so treat them like big horses or they’ll become evil monsters.

[Texarkana]

I’m going to sound less than ideal, but sometimes you have to scare them or make them uncomfortable to get your point across the first time. They have to have a reason to listen to you. Ideally that’s through a relationship and training, but when they aren’t yours, the smack of a whip is just as effective.

[trubandloki]

@endlessclimb

To me, this works better than the whip because there will inevitably be a time you forget your whip and those smart little stinkers will know it. The dirt clod trick is great because you’re a MAGICIAN in their minds, as you can bean them without a tool.

Until they catch on to the fact that you have to bend over to grab said tossing object. Then they do not do anything until you bend over.