Blue bullied me in the field

[kya]

Having had a confidence crash during the last two weeks, several nasty naps, chronic tendinitis and some competitive jibes from a fellow rider, today is just the last straw. I just had a horrible confrontation with my horse on the ground… neither of us behaved well I’d say. There is a really bad storm coming tonight and I was in two minds as to whether I would bring my two in or leave them out as we have masses of shelter and they are in good rugs. As they were reluctant to come down the steep hill for buckets (and lead on into the stables) I thought ‘ok, I’ll bring the grub up. No problem.’ I do this most nights and bank some hay up for them too. As Blue my riding gelding bullies the mare off her bucket, I fed him and walked on to give her hers at a safe distance. He cantered after me and cut me off. I dipped under an open piece of fence and he cantered around it, cutting me off again. I briefly considered chucking the bucket right at his big thick head- yes, I know not exactly IH, but I was feeling very bullied myself by now. It’s a steep hill and I was kicked badly on just the same spot two years ago by a truly nasty youngster. I roared at him and turned him away, sending him back to his own full bucket. I turned back down the field and he came after me again ignoring his bucket. I lost my temper and strode over to his bucket, tipped the contents out over the hedgerow and put the mare’s under my arm to leave. He of course found his bucket empty and speeded after me. I had no stick or rope and it was getting dark. Yes, I was intimidated. I took off my coat and swung it at him with about 20 f- words and throat tearing roars. He must have realised I was really furious, because he let me leave the field (Let me!!! Do you hear how I even say that!!) I’m so upset with him right now, I can’t imagine riding him ever again. Sigh. I’m only sorry Bidi the mare is now going without her bucket too. Why do I even bother with riding, horses, the whole thing. I feel like a joke even to my horse right now.

[specialsparkle3]

Kya, don't feel bad. Feeding individually in the field CAN be dangerous. I do it in the Autumn and have to be very bossy against those who also think they're the boss, but feed like that in the Dark-----no way mate. Your best bet would have been to pour both feeds out of the buckets onto the grass ( a suitable distance apart) and leave them to it. Anyway, no harm done, it will be forgotten tomorrow, and I asume they have hay. Perhaps you should always bring them in to feed them or perhaps hay is enough for them. One thing to learn from this, is to try never to lose your temper again, -----doing that always ends you up in a worse mess. Cheer up!

[blueali]

Don't beat yourself up, I would have done a similar thing but would have really driven him away, and probably gone back and brought the mare in and left him! Just make sure you carry a whip or rope with you for a while. I also don't feed in the field if the horses are at all possesive over their feed.

[kya]

I would LOve to have brought my mare in, but as Blue insist on biting her tail forcing her into double barrels when she's led with him free, it would have been another log on my fire Ali. Just thought I should absent myself until I was in a positive frame of mind. Isn't that terrible? I really did fantasise about the bucket bouncing off his forehead showering him with his Happy Hoof. I'm derranged.

[blueali]

I may well have thrown the bucket at him. My friends youngster that was in the field with Blue (and he was a little sod) tried to bully me, I through a bucket of water at him including the bucket and then the hosepipe, unfortunately it didn't deter him for long!

So he's now reached the adolescent stage, like a teenager he thinks he can make the rules, unfortunately he is going to have to learn that is not actually the case.

More seriously I would avoind that precise situation but would try to react as a dominant mare would, give him a warning, if he persevered give him a real shock, preferably just shouting and jumping and whriling rope, but if really necesarry making contact, just as the mare would do.

[mudlark]

sounds like Blue was being a bit freaked out by the wind and got himself worked up into a state. I know it's hard not to lose your temper when they're being so intimidating - try not to beat yourself up about it, but try not to bear him a grudge either, he was just having a moment by the sounds of it.

If your layout means you can't separate them into different paddocks to feeding then I'd say they're just going to have to come in for their feeds whether they like it or not - I think the cheekiness started when they told you they were 'reluctant' to schlep down the hill - I'd have been tempted to assume they didn't want their tea at that stage and taken it away with me. Don't let them train you to bring it to them on a velvet cushion!

Basically the one thing you really don't want is to be getting in between them if there's going to be any argy-bargy - stating the bleedin obvious I know - maybe today was just a handy reminder!

[mudlark]

sorry just crossed posts with everyone - got interrupted mid-post as usual!

[kya]

I love that horse, really I do. He's a gent in every other way, but he really is a bit of a lad in the field. If they don't come down the hill in future (both of them) I am not going to any trouble. I could catch and lead Blue down, but surely if they want their buckets they should come to me!! I'm all for simplifying things as horses are a lot of work as you know. It's just what I call 'a bucket of love'- chaff and carrots mostly. I do manipulate Blue via the bucket as it saves me a 7 acre walk when I want to catch him. I had just read a Michael Peace horse book and was feeling all fluffy inside, so this was a bit of a slap in the face. Thanks for the words of comfort.

[misty]

For our retired boys I put a huge feed in a bucket, take it to the field and make about six piles a good distance away from each other. No way would I walk to find them even in 2 acres. If they want the food they will find it.

[rhillahorse]

kya said:

I really did fantasise about the bucket bouncing off his forehead showering him with his Happy Hoof. I'm derranged.

Not deranged. I'm sure I would have been having similar fantasies!

It is fabulous to be able to never lose your temper, but not easily done!

[kya]

Generally I Never lose my temper around the horses. They are liked 4 legged Valium and slow me down, but every now and then. I think in winter after mucking out etc., and so on, sometimes a show of 'couldn't care less' from the horse can grate. It's not their fault, completely mine. Just left them a ton of great hay to get through the night. We still have grass, useless as it may be and they seem to be vastly contented when I'm not doing the funky chicken in the field.

[Casper]

Nothing useful to add over what others have said Kya, other than to say you seem to be having a bad time of it lately - BUT look at what you have achieved this year. Put last night down to the "wind up his tail" - the little buggar. I have loved reading all about Blue and of course your new companion mare too this year, you have been inspirational. Take care and here's to a really Happy 2007 x

[Silversons]

Having owned a very dominant mare i would advise that you look at getting some ground work in. If things started to get hairy with her i would make sure i got a good few sessions in until she was being respectful again. This in turn made things safer in the field as saw me as the leader.