Hi,
I have a very nice gaited Tennessee Walking Horse named Chief. I have been riding him for about 3 years and in the three years, he has NEVER, EVER been disrespectful to me. I showed him and he was amazing and he was so nice and he never got me mad, and he always respected me. Until one day he was put into a pasture with another horse (and the pasters are big and he was put in with 1 horse, so 2 horses per pasters) and he started to have the attitude "i don't care, i don't have to do this". And he pinned his ears and kicked out it is awful! The horse he was put in with was also pretty moody and pretty nasty. Right away I had him away from her. So then he was okay for a while but then he started it up again. He was kicking out at me on the lunge line, pinning his ears, refusing to do new things. I have no idea what to do, I have done all of this stuff that people have told me to do and it isn't working.

Any suggestions? Please I need help! He never acted this way before and I am very disapointed in him.

He might be trying to tell you something. Horses usually don't change personality like that for no reason. I suggest not riding him for 2 weeks at least. What you should do is go to his stall maybe twice a day to just groom him. Clean his hair and brush him a lot, maybe talk to him or sing something. Bring a carrot, too. If he is good during this groom session, give him the treat to show him he was good, and he will be rewarded. If he starts being bad, put the brush down, walk out of the stall or away from him with your back towards him. Stay Ike that for 5 minutes. After the silent treatment, go back and try grooming him again. Don't eve give up grooming him if he is bad and leave, because then he will know that HE is in charge and not you, an he will know that if he doesn't want you there, he just has to be ba for you t go away. After he is good for 2 weeks straight, start riding him again. If he is good for the day, give him a treat. If he isn't, don't put him away because he will again know he is in charge of the situation. Hope this helped, good luck!

He may be showing off for the mare, it is possible. Or he may have came upon a health issue while out with the new horse. Maybe they kicked up their heels and he pulled something. Make sure you check him out. pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com


As for being disrespectful, once youve ruled out health issues, there is NO excuse for disrespect. The only safe relationship you can have with a horse is if YOU are the leader.
First thing and most important: BACK HIM UP. If he starts acting like that, back him up. MAKE him back up, dont be gentle (Im not saying pull him backward like you're the hulk or something) but backing forces the horse to think since backing isnt a natural gate for the horse. After you have done that, try the task again.

As for lunging, do alot of eye switching ie. switching directions. Switching directions causes the horse to think and pay attention to you. The horse realizes, "Oh ****, she is controlling my feet and I have to move how she wants me too." YOURE IN CONTROL. When you see signs of submission, pull him in and give him a good pet and just make him mind you. Even leading can be a lesson. Dont let him walk in front of you. A good thing to try is just walking him, you abruptly stop, and then you see if he stops with you, if he doesnt then he isnt listening to you. Make him back two steps behind you, and then walk again and keep repeating until you can stop and he automatically takes a step back. This makes him listen and watch you. pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
I hope I could help!

For so long, you have been his "herd" and he has followed you as his "herd leader". Now, his herd is changing, so he is trying to figure out where he belongs in the pecking order.

Just stand your ground and don't allow him to behave that way. If he beaves badly, there needs to be immediate consequences. When I see bad behavior, my horse needs to move her feet. I will lounge her when she is naughty, and let her rest when she behaves. Eventually they figure out that bad equals work and good equals rest. They pick it up pretty quickly and it is a non violent way to punish. It also puts you in a position of power over them, so you are the leader again. It also keeps you in a safe place.

owner/rider

he is a horse. the other horse he was put with is a horse as well.
They are both horses and will act like horses when are put together. pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
I think you have created your horse to be a 'human' horse...not so much a horse. He was put with another horse and is now more 'horse' then your human personality type of horse.