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Starting Member
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Last Login: 10/24/2009 5:27:04 PM
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I'm the evening manager at a local stable. For the past two months, the owner has been training me to care for her horses while she's on vacation. Every day, her filly has been absolutely perfect. She's let me halter her, lead her and has done exactly as she's asked. Until the day the owner left! She won't let me put her halter on. She won't let me lead her out of her stall after feeding. She just won't move. She's started pawing at the ground and pinning her ears when I approach to lead her out.
I'm guessing it's a respect issue. She KNOWS I'm not her owner, but I have also been working with her almost daily for two months. NOW that the owner is gone, she's misbehaving.
Any suggestions?
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Average Member
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 1:26:53 PM
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Little filly is in dire need of a come to jesus meeting.
__________________________________________ "It is an interesting and demonstrable fact, that all children are atheists and were religion not inculcated into their minds, they would remain so." - Ernestine Rose "There can be but little liberty on earth while men worship a tyrant in heaven." - Robert Green Ingersoll 
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Senior Member
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I have some advice.
You say you can't halter her. Can you, but it just takes longer than usual, or can you literally not halter and lead her?
I suggest doing a little basic ground work in a roundpen or fenced arena. That way, she can't really get away from you. Practice alot of leading and backing up. See if you can lead her and get her to halt and walk on verbal cue and/or very slight pressure on the leadrope. Giving to pressure exercises will also help (I won't explain them right now, but just ask if you want examples).
However, I would call the owner first, explain the situation, and ask if you can do groundwork. The owner will really appreciate it (believe me, I get really ticked if I find out that someone's done something with my horse without my permission) and you will come out looking very responsible.
This happens all the time, this horse doesn't hate you or anything, just testing you (like you thought-kudos to you for figuring out the problem). Good luck, and keep us updated!
Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble. ~Isaiah 63:13
But ask the animals, and they will teach you ~Job 12:7a
"You don't throw a whole life away, just 'cause it's beat up a little" ~ Tom Smith, Seabiscuit's trainer
Please join the Thoroughbred Owners and Enthusiasts Club if you love Thoroughbreds! www.thoroughbredtalk.webs.com
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 10/24/2009 5:27:04 PM
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Thank you, Swing Away...that's exactly what I did. Called the owner and got her permission to work with her filly in the arena. Last night I was able to get her halter on, but once it touched her ears, she freaked out; so I'm wondering now if there's something irritating her ears, like cockle burrs. She lets me scratch behind her ears (and loves it), but as soon as the halter touches her ears, she lifts her head and pulls away. I have some spray and intend to examine her ears more thoroughly.
As far as not moving out of her stall, I've been working her by backing her up and turning her around. It's helped a little but still have some work to do. I'm convinced she's testing me, like you said. Last night I also used a crop by tapping her on the butt to get her to disengage her hind quarters. That worked too. Someone here suggested I beat the snot out of her. I believe there are degrees of discipline, but beating a horse is definitely not one. I'm trying to build respect, not fear.
Thanks again for your input. I appreciate it.
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Average Member
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Sounds like you are on the right track. She certainly could have something bothering her ears, which could have helped with her attitude change. There are ways to gain respect and show her you are the one in charge (as Mackenburg stated a come to Jesus meeting) without beating the horse. Using a round pen as Swingaway suggested would help with this. I doubt you would have to make the horse move (feet) much at all before she understood that she needs to listen and pay attention to you. Good luck!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning to dance in the rain. 
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Senior Member
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:21:13 PM
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I know alot of horses get ear mites or fungus and HATE having their ears touched. Sam's Mom is right, that could very well have to do with her attitude change. try to look into her ears if she will let you, and I would call the owner and explain the situation to her. Possibly bring out a vet if the owner agrees. Good luck!
Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble. ~Isaiah 63:13
But ask the animals, and they will teach you ~Job 12:7a
"You don't throw a whole life away, just 'cause it's beat up a little" ~ Tom Smith, Seabiscuit's trainer
Please join the Thoroughbred Owners and Enthusiasts Club if you love Thoroughbreds! www.thoroughbredtalk.webs.com
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