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About Lyn Kamer, C.E.S.M.T.
Expertise
Training, alternative therapies, saddle fitting problems, behavioral problems, endurance riding, driving, Mustangs

Experience
Horseman of over 40 yrs., certified equine massage therapist, trainer both riding and driving, endurance riding

Organizations
American Endurance Ride Assn., Eastern Competitive Trail Ride Assn., New Jersey Trail Ride Assn., Aromatherapists International, American Mustang and Burro Assn., United States Trotting Assn., Standardbred Pleasure Horse Org.

Publications
Trail Blazer magazine, AERC Newsletter, Hoofbeats magazine

Education/Credentials
Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, Least Resistance Trainer, Certified Aromatherapist

You are here: Experts > Sports > Horse Racing > Horses > Dominant Horse

Horses - Dominant Horse

Expert: Lyn Kamer, C.E.S.M.T. - 10/31/2009

Question
Hello,

First my question, and then some backup information.

Does a dominant horse need someone/something to dominate?

My family recently got our first horse. She is a 10 year Quarter/Thoroughbred mare. We expected to get her a companion, but so far she has shown no signs that we can see that she needs or wants one. The problem is that she is aggressive/dominant towards me, particularly in her pasture. She kicked me once, and I clearly don't want it to happen again. She does not show this behavior towards my wife or six year old daughter. We don't know what kind of exposure she has had with males in the past. An associate of ours has several horses, one of which is a sister, and she states that she is the most dominant she has.

So the root of my question comes from this; if I establish dominance over her, will she start focusing on my daughter? If there is a risk of this, I'd just assume keep the target on me.

Thank you, I hope you can help,
Keith

Answer
Keith,

It's not as much a case of dominance as respect. You have a very alpha mare on your hands. Someone else has a sister with the same attitude. My guess is the mom was this way too. OK. You are at a slight disadvantage because you are a male. Remember, in the horse world the mares pretty much run the show. The lead mare runs the day to day activities of the herd, determining when and where they will water and graze. The stallion keeps the band together, protects them when necessary and breeds the mares but usually defers to the lead mare on day to day matters.

If you have access to a round pen I would go there to work on some exercises with the mare to establish who runs things. If not familiar with round pen work there are a number of videos out that are excellent to watch. You can watch the reactions of the horse that is being worked with which are very enlightening. It's a whole different way of working with a horse and wonderful for changing a horse's attitude and way of thinking. Then you won't have to worry about her attitude transferring to anyone else.

Lyn

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