Hi. I have had a 2 ½ yo 15.2 unbroken filly for just 2 weeks now. She has been handled quite a bit prior to coming to me. She can be caught, groomed, and leads really well. This is all I have been doing with her and I felt that this had been going well and we were building a good relationship. However, yesterday when I bent down to pick up a bucket that she was still licking out, to my absolute horror, she pinned back her ears and used very aggressive body language towards me. This was not mild irritation, this was all out anger. I was backed against a fence and totally defenceless, not even having a lead rope in my hand. Much to my disappointment I backed right away from her, letting her win the encounter. In all honestly, I really feared for my safety. This really really rattled me as I have never encountered this behavior in the few horses I have owned over the years. Once she moved away from the food, I made myself go and catch her even though I feared she would pick up on my anxiety. I successfully lead her around in a few circles, hopefully regaining some respect. But I left it at that.So I?m wondering, what made an apparently good natured horse turn in such a manner? I realise she is probably testing me. Would it be advisable to have her broken sooner rather than later rather given this behaviour? Or is that irrelevant to this issue? My preference would be not to have her broken for another year. In any case, can anyone please offer advice on how I can establish respect around food. I feel pushing her away from the food with a rope and letting her have it only when I decide, would let her know that I am in charge? However, she has put a bit of a dent in my confidence and I worry that she may swing around and kick out at me in retaliation. I?m really conscious of not creating bad habits in her at such a young age and so am keen to do the right thing. Any advice would be really appreciated.
01-09-2018, 08:15 AM
New horse turns nasty – any advice please?
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