Ask The Trainer

I have an 11 month old filly who crowds me and wants to walk up against me when I'm leading her and when she gets excited or scared she does the same thing. I have been pushing her shoulders over with my thumb or handle of my crop but it does not really seem to help it just brings her head around towards me and makes her circle in front of me. I have attached my lead to the opposite side (right) and down through the bottom of her halter to help keep her in her own space. Does anyone have any other suggestions?? She can be dangerous (rearing post) and I would like to correct this ASAP! She has no health issues etc..

What this filly has is a respect issue! She pushes into you when she is scared because she thinks that you are too weak to protect her. She feels you need pushed out of harms way. She will continue to act this way until you show to her that you do not need protection but are capable of protecting her. To do this you must become pushier than she is.

Horses express dominance by causing movement. The horse that gets pushed around is the weaker horse! You will need to get firmer with her when she pushes you. If you watch horses in a herd situation they will kick and bite each other but rarely seriously injure each other. Do not think that a firm smack with a crop or whip will hurt your horse. It is your timing that is important. If you smack before they push you they see you as a bully. If you smack at the same time they push they see you are aware of their disrespect and a reprimand will be respected. If you smack them after the fact, you are too late and they will not know why they are being punished. Smack only enough to get the response you want, in this case to back off. If you are too soft when scolding you will still be considered too weak to be in control. If you continue to punish your horse after they have responded by backing off you are being abusive.

There is a very fine line that you must go to but can not cross. I would rather get a respectful response by hitting my horse hard once than have to always push back and pick on him for the rest of his life. It will be easier get the point across now when she is small than it will be when she weighs 1100 pounds. If you wait until then you will have to do a lot more to get respect.

Will Clinging 2004 (c)

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