Weanling Kicked Me Last Night in the Stall - Help!

[J-Lu]

@candyappy

I am sorry , but this is ridiculous. I have raised most of my horses since 1976 and never have I ever been threatened by one when they are eating. I expect to be able to walk around them and touch them anywhere, when and where I want.

I am not one to pick at or pester them when they are eating as a rule.

I am not another horse and my horses know it.

Obviously, the horse in question doesn’t know that humans are alpha. Did you read the original post? I don’t see how this comment fits in to the conversation.

[candyappy]

@Bluey

That just means, you didn’t train horses for others, all kinds, all ages, whatever they bring to you.
If you did, you would have found out how many are sent to you to train just because they had developed those little problems like lording over the people that were not careful to train horses every time they interact with them, let them get by and by with more and more until they are that one horse that will try to get you when they think you are not paying attention.

Training horses well is extremely simple and easy, you never have to do much but consistently be nice but firm and respect the horse and have it respect you, no fireworks needed.

The trouble, as this upstart youngster, not everyone is paying that much attention and some times they get surprised a horse is asserting itself in an aggressive way, when they missed all the other little signs the horse was already doing so and not being told humans were not horse toys.

I will say, it starts with having the right kind of adult horses to model to youngsters that they can’t just run over others in this world.
Once a dam and other mares and other colts and later other adults have taught foals that they need to be polite, not bullies, it is much easier for humans to reinforce that.
It takes a village for foals also and plenty of humans forget themselves and are not serious enough around horses and let horses push them around, then wonder when horses in a bad mood get dangerous to be around, like at feed time.

The horses we raise well and mind well are not what is being discussed here, but those that were not taught well and there are plenty of those.

I have trained horses for others and also earned quite a bit of money in my younger days fixing the messes people made of their horses, so I do speak from some experience.

I also know that in some horses there is no way to fix their issues and each is handled as an individual and you do what you need to be safe at all costs.
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹@Bluey @J-Lu
My comment was directed to this part of post #24

( quote)
When you walk into a horses stall, drop feed then stay in that stall with them, even just walking across it as he eats as it sounds like you did here? Sorry, thats asking for it, you got treated exactly like another horse getting into his space while he’s eating would be treated. Don’t do that. Any horse any age.( quote)

I said that I do not routinely bother my horses while they are eating, but I could if I wanted to with no fear of aggression. It should be that way if at all possible.

OP’s horse is easily fixable.

[Bluey]

Oh, that explains the comment, it was not general.

Sorry that I misunderstood.

[akdraft77]

Lots of great advice here, make sure you get a handle on him sooner rather than later no matter what you have to do to accomplish it. Time spent on this now will pay dividends and keep you, him, and anyone that handles him safe.

I’m nursing a rather uncomfortable knee and back injury right now from a well-placed kick I got from a horse I just bought/rescued who I suspect missed a few lessons in manners as well as meals.

Don’t feel bad about it either if you have to get tough with him. Being kicked is serious business. I’ve been down for two weeks with several to go before I’m better and I am in a lot of pain. The horse that got me is “only” 14.2 and 750 lbs and underweight. Still felt like getting hit by a dang car and threw me quite a distance.

[aknightstale]

A good, swift kick in the belly is in order. Sounds like he’s a bit spoiled. Never shrudge off any sort of aggressive behavior, especially at this stage. I had a 2 year old Saddlebred/draft cross filly years ago (who I unfortunately had to PTS) who kicked me one time. I was leading her and she decided to bolt ahead and double barrel kick at me. She was far enough away that I didn’t get the full impact thankfully, but I proceeded to crank her right around and booted her in the stomach 2 or 3 times as hard as I could. She never once even pretended to kick again. Some people may consider this too harsh, but I have zero time for behavior that could seriously harm me or even kill me. It’s also perfectly natural to horses in a herd…the lead mare would respond with a swift kick.

[Red_Barn]

Kicking a horse in the belly is dangerous and stupid.

Please don’t do this, OP.

[monalisa]

Update on junior. Junior left on Wednesday for “camp” for the immediate future where he will be handled by someone who knows young ones and can work with him daily. I totally think that ANY horse should show respect when I come into their stall at feeding time. In my 30+ years with horses I have never been aggressively kicked by a horse at any age. Junior will not come back until we are convinced he can behave and act safely. He is a smart horse and I think he will learn and be able to come home in a few weeks or even a bit longer if that is what it takes. Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated.

[JB]

Awesome! I am sure he will understand how life works in no time, and be a Solid Horse Citizen in no time. Most of them do. Will you be able to go to “camp” every now and then to work with him under the guidance of the trainer? Most of the time, this is more about people training as much as it is horse training

[ChocoMare]

@monalisa

Update on junior. Junior left on Wednesday for “camp” for the immediate future where he will be handled by someone who knows young ones and can work with him daily. I totally think that ANY horse should show respect when I come into their stall at feeding time. In my 30+ years with horses I have never been aggressively kicked by a horse at any age. Junior will not come back until we are convinced he can behave and act safely. He is a smart horse and I think he will learn and be able to come home in a few weeks or even a bit longer if that is what it takes. Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated.

Well done!

[monalisa]

Yes I am meeting with the trainer on Sunday.

[candyappy]

Glad to hear you have sent him to camp. You will enjoy him so much more when he gets home. It can be easy for any of us to miss the signs sometimes.