Horse starting nipping and planting himself

[Curly-Stardust]

Hi,

I've had my horse nearly 2 months now and we are slowly building a nice bond, the last few weeks however when leading him out to his field he will stop and plant himself when we get near it or start to nip at me. The field is very muddy and water logged around the gateway and where he has been pacing up and down waiting for me to bring him out of there, I've fallen twice as I've got so stuck in it.
He is good on the whole with leading, although he likes to stop and look at things and he only nips at me when getting nearer to the field.
I feel his trying to tell me he doesn't want to go in there, but others are telling me his just trying it on...if that was the case why would he only do it then.
He is also barefoot and I have noticed if he is out everyday in the mud he seems footsore so I've been leaving him in one or two days a week for his feet to dry out.
As I'm fairly new to horse ownership I feel torn between what I feel is the issue and what other people are telling me. When he does something labelled as naughty or trying it on I'm looking for reasons as to why he may do them things rather than just labelling his behaviour. I do lack confidence with groundwork so I'm booking a groundwork day with a local IH associate but that's not until end of april.

Any advice/insight greatly appreciated even if it's to tell me he is trying it on!

Thank you

[VeronicaF]

ignore other people, listen to your horse,yourself, a horse never trys it on,there is always a reason behind the behavour.

your right, listen to yourself!!!

[Curly-Stardust]

Thank you, Its difficult when your the newbie and everyone has there opinions, but I will listen to him and myself, I guess I'll really only know when I can change his paddock. It's like thick custard now!

Thanks again

[clipclop]

Is he turned out in company or alone?

If not wanting to go out with companions, he could be getting bullied.

If he's on his own, that could be the root of the problems. Being in a new place without proper equine interaction (over a fence line isn't sufficient), can make them unsettled.

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[Curly-Stardust]

Hi clipclop, unfortunately yes he is turned out on his own as the livery I am at has individual paddocks and there are currently no horses immediately next to his paddock, he can see horses from where he is, but as soon as they are taken in he starts to get anxious.

Someone suggested I put a mirror on the fence line of the paddock not sure if that would help? Other than that I'm not sure how to address this issue. One of the other liveries has a youngster I could ask them if they'd be willing to put him in with him, but they don't intend to be there long as buying there own place, so he would just get a relationship going with the youngster and then he d be taken away. Yards are few and at between where I am so not easy to find one that's got a space but I don't want him to be anxious and lonely either. Do I stay at current place which has fantastic outriding over mountain and forest, or a place that has limited riding (road only) but turnout with other horses, I'm really torn with what to do.

[clipclop]

In all honesty, that sounds like the cause of your problems. As herd animals, horses rely on each other to feel safe - put them on their own and they are on survival watch with heightened senses.

Unfortunately, individual turnout is a modern concept - born through modern owners being terrified of horses getting kicked and through politics of people not wanting to share poo-picking, hay supplementation etc. Unfortunately it doesn't do our equine friends any good and ironically, they are far more likely to injure themselves by being unsettled alone (galloping around, trying to jump out etc) than in an established herd. It also means that they are on postage stamp size paddocks, often with no shelter from wind/rain/sun/flies and if spooked, unable to move away sufficiently to settle.

I do appreciate the predicament you are in. It's not easy to find a good livery yard and even more difficult to then find someone willing to let their horse have company and be likely to stick around long term. Mirrors can be helpful in the stable but not really an adequate alternative to company in the field. Is it possible to move him to a paddock next to others? It's not perfect but it would be an improvement on his current paddock. I would strongly recommend liaising with other owners to find out when their horses are coming in so that your boy is not left to panic, even if you need to pay the YO to bring him in with the others.

Well done for understanding that he's not just 'trying it on' and good luck x

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[Curly-Stardust]

Yes I think this is the issue. I was late one time and he was in such a state, I made a promise to him not to put him through that again so I make sure I bring him in before the others and he's been calm and great to lead in. I will speak with the yard owners and see if I can move him...although they just think he is 'trying it on' and I need to be firmer with him. As you say he hasn't got a shelter either so this is also on my list to tackle.

Thank you for the advice and support

[Curly-Stardust]

Just wanted to update, I have decided to move my horse to a livery where he will have the company of other horses and live in a herd environment. In the end it wasn't a hard decision, his happiness comes before my ideals of mountain/forest riding. I'll still have a school, and some land to ride on. And maybe next year I could afford to get a box and then we can go anywhere to ride

[clipclop]

Thank you for updating us and well done for making the decision that you have.

I can understand why people like their horses to be in individual paddocks as it prevents kick injuries but at the same time, horses going nuts left on their own are more likely to damage tendons etc and it does their psychological health absolutely no good either.

Please do update us with how you both settle in at the new yard. As he's been worried with the current grazing situation, just be careful of seperation anxiety developing at the new yard. Try and establish a routine straight away and continue building your relationship with him and I hope you get to enjoy horse ownership with like minded people around you.

Wishing you all the very best.

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[Curly-Stardust]

Hi, just another update...Well we've been at the new yard nearly 3 weeks now and I can honestly say now it was the best decision ever. The first week though I had my doubts and thought I'd lost him to the herd (his in with 7 others). But the last few days he's been coming over to see me when I call and today I went to see him with no agenda or intent do anything to him and he spent an hour with me at liberty in the field just having some loving and grooming and he even told another horse who wanted in on the action to go away.

He is calm and happy and as most of the herd is out 24/7 I don't have any issues with him planting, he is still slightly anxious when taken out from the herd but I'm only doing it for short periods and back to the herd, and not expecting anything of him when he comes out so he doesn't associate coming out as having to work. That's my plan anyway. One much happier horse (I believe) and owner X

[clipclop]

Fantastic news. So pleased for you and it's great that you can now start to fully enjoy horse ownership x

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