AllieBaba
Posted : 2/10/2010 2:49:35 AM
I will say though, a horse that strikes and bites at me will get lashed wherever the lash lands, while I step to the side. I generally try to avoid the legs because it seems to encourage them to kick (or strike). I keep horses from running up behind me and getting pushy by either swinging the end of the lead in a circle behind me, or carrying a training whip under my arm and waving it while walking so the tip waves right at about chest or head level, and if they're crowding, they get it. You control the space by adjusting the whip under your arm. Because of the way you're holding it (or swinging the lead) it isn't a vicious lash, it's just a natural consequence of getting within that space. HOrses kick each other in the face and neck for crowding and charging. I don't feel too bad about slapping them with a lead rope or the tickle end of a training whip for doing the same.
Please don't think I'm advocating getting into a fight with a horse over this sort of behavior. But suffering a natural consequence is a different thing from glaring a horse down and beating them, if that makes any sense.
Be careful.
Then there are always hobbles. That would put an end to the striking and the charging, at the very least. I'm not exactly sure how I'd go about that, but I could figure out something with a dangerous horse....maybe just taking him out with hobbles on until he forgets that he ever engaged in that dangerous behavior, then taking him out without them and continuing with your program.
Kinda extreme, but that's extreme behavior, and very dangerous.