RC: Re: Stallion behavior

[Farafix@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/16/00 11:36:29 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
fasterhorses@gilanet.com writes:

<<  Provoke a confrontation & you get agression back.   >>

Lif states what I've learned intuitively with my stallion.  I've only had the 
one & I bred him & raised him from Day 1, so probably unwise to generalize 
too much.  However, in reading the stallion posts, I realized I don't use a 
whip to discipline --- I've gotten the sense that if I over use it I will 
provoke a higher level response.  Because I've raised Tempo from a baby we 
are probably pretty well attuned to one another.  I try to be very aware of 
the situation & try not to get myself into a battle I can't win.  I've been 
very fortunate in that Tempo isn't nippy --- tried to nip at a day or 2 old & 
flicked him on the nose & he seemed to understand people were not for 
nipping.  He did bite me once, pretty good 2 yrs ago & I should have known it 
was coming, he gave me plenty of warning.  He doesn't like getting the girth 
put on in the winter --- I must have caught some of the longer winter hairs 
in the girth (ouch!) as he could care less in the summer.  I knew he was 
sensitive about the girth, but didn't have a line on him & he reached over & 
bit me pretty good on the arm.  I was pissed, but knew not to get into a 
battle in a stall with a stallion, so I calmly walked out, got the dressage 
whip & beat the doorframe of the stall with the whip & yelled at him how bad 
he was.  He got the message, put his head down & licked his lips.  Now I give 
him some grain when I do the girth, have a line on the halter and give him a 
carrot as I girth up.  Distraction & praise for the right behaviour.
I have always tried to have a clear line in my mind as to what is acceptable 
& unacceptable behaviour & to let him know as soon as he's stepped over the 
line.  I yell a lot.  I have a loud voice.  I use a stud chain or a bit in 
his mouth for control if I lead him anywhere but around the pasture at home.  
As I said, I really don't use a whip other than when riding as you would with 
any horse --- I've gotten the sense that whipping him would really provoke a 
confrontation.  Rarely I might whip the ground in front of him to display my 
displeasure along with a lot of loud scolding.
I've found carrying those deli carrots as treats is a big help.  Some 
positive reinforcement goes a long way.  Keeps his attention on me --- he's 
thinking about what he has to do to get a little piece of carrot.  He gets a 
piece for accepting the bit, for standing still for girthing, standing still 
while I mount, standing still while I tighten the girth from the saddle, for 
going thru a muddy bog he really doesn't want to go thru, etc.  Seems to keep 
his attitude cooperative rather than confrontational. In a lot of ways he's 
the best behaved horse I've had because I had clear ground rules & was not as 
lenient with him.
I've had the benefit of raising this horse & know how he's been trained.  My 
hat's off to those who can handle a stallion they did not raise.

Nancy & Tempo (who so far seems to understand that to play, you have to 
behave)
Md