Franklin Levinson's
Horse Help Center
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Mare's dangerous behavior
Hi Franklin,
I have a question. My horse, a thoroughbred mare has gotten quite nasty. She went
lame because of an absess in April and ever since then she has been psyco. It has
gotten progressively worse too. It started with biting in her stall and I would smack
her on the nose. It then got better in the summer but ever since it started to get
cold again she's even worse. She has started kicking and biting. She'll bite then
kick. Before you could walk her by other horses but now she kicks out at them. You
can't tack her up in her stall any more but have to use the crossties which she has
broken after she tries to bite someone then flips out and backs up until they break.
I've read articles about how to fix biting and kicking but not at the same time. My
coach said it could be lymes disease. Please help me!
Thanks, Libby
trying
Hi Libby,
The only thing I can suggest is to do a ton of ground schooling/playing with this
horse. Forget riding for a few weeks and spend at least an hour a day playing with
this horse on the ground. This means you need to step up to the plate as the great
leader/dance partner for this horse. Have a vet check for Lymes Disease as well. But
many behavioral problems will disappear once leadership on the ground is established.
If you do not understand, learn these techniques from a few training DVD's easily
available in the backs of all horse magazines. I have several in my shopping corral that would
prove very helpful to you. Stop trying to fix individual problems. Rather improve
your total relationship with the horse. The behavior you don't want is a symptom of a
bigger problem. You need to be able to lead the dance of motion and action on the
ground. Most problems such as the kind you are experiencing will disappear (assuming
there is nothing organic wrong with the horse like pain) if the handler gets on track
by appropriately and consistently leading the dance on the ground. I have turned
around many horses with the behavior your horse is exhibiting simply by being very
consistent with dancing and playing with the horse on the ground for a while. It is
more than simply lungeing the horse. There is real intention here to connect and lead
a dance. If the horse can intimidate you, it will. You need the skills and confidence
not to be intimidated. Never punish. You can provide the consequence of movement
though. Most riding instructor's do not teach what I am speaking of. The only teach
riding skills. They will not admit there is anything they do NOT know about horses
either. But they will onyl teach what they know (equestrian skills) and they always
go to "show the horse who is boss." I am suggesting you need to be the great leader
for this horse, not his boss. Firmness is sometimes required. But you not being
stubborn, frustrated or angry is required as well. Look for little signs that the
horse is
trying
to comply and immediately reward the horse. Do you know what a 'try' looks like? Do
you know how to reward your horse for trying? This behavior, if not from pain, is
still fear based and should be handled in such as way as to instill confidence and
feelings of trust and safety within the horse. Get the knowledge, education and
techniques you need easily, cheaply and efficiently by the purchase of a few training DVD's. I can also offer you telephone coaching as well to get you and
your horse over these problems. I cannot give you all you need in an email. I promise
you, you will thank me if you get the education, knowledge and skills required to get
your horse through this. Your abilities as a horse person will rise
tremendously..........
Good Luck and Happy Holidays, Franklin