Turning bum on me whilst in stable...help!

[angelena]

I can go in stable to do anything with my girl, put rug on, muck out, groom, fuss her, but as soon as I go in with a headcollar she go to back of the stable and turns her bum to me, she only threatens to kick me and has never kicked out. I have no idea why she does it

The only way I can get her to come over to me is if I show her a handful of hay then she will happily stand there to let me put headcollar on. I won't go over to her just incase she plants me so try just to ignore her.

Any info welcome as I would just like to go in with the headcollar and her happily come over to me!

Found a picture of her doing it

[iluvmypony]

i had a pony that did this and because i knew she wasnt likely to do kick me i just went close to the wall and aproached her head on and got hold of a tuft of mane and she was then fine...after a few weeks of her knowing i wasnt going to let her get away with it she stopped x

[Deleted]

Maybe she has felt threatened at some point, I would go in talking to her and go to her head, make a fuss of her and leave, I'm quite sure in a few days when she knows you are not going to do anything nasty she may come to greet you as you wish, all the best.

[amumwithapony]

I had a TB years ago that used to do this. Never kicked me though, think he was just an anti social grumy sod LOL. Just go in and stand at the door until she comes to you, then give her a good old fuss. She'll soon realise that the sooner she comes to you and 'smiles' at you, the sooner she gets a fuss.

[sarahp]

I have a nervous ex-hill pony who does this - but she's not turning her bum on me to threaten, only turning her head away so as not to be caught. She hasn't a nasty bone in her body and wouldn't dream of kicking.

[rubydoo]

my boy has a very threatening manner especially if he's expecting food of not getting enough turnout , i just kind of except it as his personality .
he turns his bum on me but he wont do anything ,he might stomp abit. it is rude an annoying .
shes prob just trying to avoid any conforntation.

[angelena]

May 15, 2012 17:01:30 GMT sarahp said:

I have a nervous ex-hill pony who does this - but she's not turning her bum on me to threaten, only turning her head away so as not to be caught. She hasn't a nasty bone in her body and wouldn't dream of kicking.

This is what mine does she will turn her head away but the backend end follows, I just don't trust her as I got pinned once by my first pony, also a welsh luckily I got out safely.

I will start as from today just spending time in stable giving her a fuss them leaving, don't want to grab her mane as she is sensitive and will probably plant me one. Thanks for advise ladies

[sageandonion]

This is the rare occasion when I would advise a treat as you open her door, particularly as you are a little worried.

If she doesn't turn and come over to you at first, stand there for a moment and then put the treat down on the floor, she should soon look forward to you coming and present the correct end.

I hope she won't start nipping you then!

[angelena]

She is a greedy pony and not a lover of giving treats but if it works then hey ho?

She is more of a licky pony rather than a nipper so will stick to hay for a treat.

Thanks for advice

[jackdaniels]

my c mare used to do this in her stable, had saddle fitter out who told me her saddlen was slightly too narrow for her, sent it away to be widened and now she s absolutely fine doesn t shy away at all maybe could be worth yours being checked?

[angelena]

That did cross my mind, I was thinking maybe she's confusing the headcollar for a bridle and it was her way of telling me something's not right and doesn't want to be ridden.

I have a saddle fitter coming out next Friday as her saddle is too tight, I'm not going to ride until I know she is 100% happy in her saddle!

[rhosyn]

May 16, 2012 15:42:22 GMT angelena said:

That did cross my mind, I was thinking maybe she's confusing the headcollar for a bridle and it was her way of telling me something's not right and doesn't want to be ridden.

I have a saddle fitter coming out next Friday as her saddle is too tight, I'm not going to ride until I know she is 100% happy in her saddle!

Think you may have your answer! Have you tried going in with headcollar over your arm like a bag, big fuss and walk out with it? What does she do when you go in with a bridle - same reaction?

[angelena]

I always tack up outside, I'm pretty sure I would get the reaction with the bridle. I haven't tried putting it over my arm but tried hiding it behind my back but she's not daft, lol!

I think I might have my answer as she's fine with headcollar when catching her!

[armada]

We have a mare that does this, and has done so for the 9 years we've owned her.
When we first got her it was a nightmare, she would threaten to kick and left no doubt in your mind if you stepped over the line she had drawn in the box, she'd have you. It took a lot of patience and was time consuming as she had to come to us, not handed a treat to entice her, apart from one time at Malvern when I just did'nt have time for games, and quarter markings needed to be done.
Its now thankfully a rare occurrence, and much less threatening and now I just go and get hold of the rug and she lets me put the headcollar on.
With her its not the tack does'nt fit right - we always say if she could tack herself up, the saddle would never be off her back, she loves working, being prepped for a show and is a dream outside the box, its just in it she is bad, and she was also horrifically foal proud - but again only in the stable.
I can only put it down to her early handling, we bought her from the breeder at 4yrs old, and I just believe her early handling was a bit rough and ready, and she has'nt forgotten it so is defensive.
I once also went into the stable with a stick in my hand to untie her, she was tacked up ready to go. She pulled back, reared, went to the back of the box and started to climb the walls.
I never did it again until last week when in a hurry to get her out for the farrier had one tucked under my arm, she saw it and went into panic mode immediately, I chucked it out of the door, and instantly she let me put the headcollar on, I picked it up when we walked out of the box, and she did'nt give it a second glance.
I conclude for whatever reason, maybe the back turning, she got a few hidings and has'nt forgotten them, so that early memory has stayed with her and has been very hard for her to forget, and trusting a person when in the stable is a very fine line with her, although she'd follow you to the gates of hell anywhere else.

[brookviewequine]

What's she like in general around the head area? Ears etc.

And armada, that's a heck of a long time

[angelena]

That is a long time looks like it's paid off in the long run

Mine has never been beaten or rough handled so I know it's not that.

She can be a bit touchy around her head when been groomed or ears trimmed but fine when been fussed, she falls asleep on you

[carrie17491]

my mare was like this, she was bought from a feild as a foal.

I used to just sit in her stable with a brew and a magazine. Took me about 2 weeks until she came over to me but she eventually did and now she happily greets me! Talk to her, tell her about your day and just sit with her. She will come round

[angelena]

Haha! Have to share this. Sat bent down in stable today with headcollar in my hand talking to her, she came over licked my hair, arm and boots all over for 5 minutes then I left her

[Angela H]

Personally, I would go with your instinct. If you are concerned about any other aspect of her behaviour, then I would have all the usual checks done, back, skeletally and soft tissue, saddle, bridle too... sometimes tension through the poll can be just as troublesome as saddle issues. On top of that teeth, just a couple of sharp teeth can be really painful.

Not knowing your horse, I would be tempted to just give her bottom a little prod and encourage her to turn, when she does, then treat (with either fuss or food, thats your choice), and just see if its a remembered worry, in which case repetition will cure in time. I think spending weeks stood around in your stable waiting for her to come to you, isn't being a leader and thats really what she wants. She wants you to say 'come to me now, because its fine and you are safe with me!' With authoritativeness BUT positive voice. She will appreciate you taking this worry from her mind. Once your in a routine, she will simply come to you instead and know its ok.

Good luck hope this helps.

I am an equine therapist based Staffordshire, depending where you are, I would probably be able to help in one session: www.toplineequine.co.uk

Angela