AboutD LaChapelle www.Laurelmountainfarms.com Expertise I am a student of the Horse. How to deal with "problems" and find SOLUTIONS with real QUALITY that RESPECT the HORSE is my goal for this site. It has been my great fortune to be able to focus the last 12 years studying the Buckaroo/Vaquero style of horsemanship, this is what the Natural Horsemanship movement is based on. Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman, Ricky Quinn and Bryan Neubert are my teachers and mentors. I continue to study and ride with these great horsemen.
I am happy to offer help in starting colts, re-starting troubled horses, helping you find a "better way" with horses and sharing with you what it means to be a student of the horse. Western show disciplines; Showmanship, Trail, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, as well as Hunter Under Saddle and Three Day Eventing are my passions. I enjoy sharing my 30+ years of experience with all levels of horse owners; children, amateurs and serious competitors. Please visit me at: www.laurelmountainfarms.com
www.Laurelmountainfarms.com
Experience
Organizations American Quarter Horse Association, USEA
Education/Credentials Learning good horsemanship is an oral tradition passed from master to student. At an early age I started riding with noted clinician Richard Sharake at Horsemanship West. Although I have ridden with many top flight trainers and instructors, Ray Hunt has been the most influential and has had the greatest impact on my horsemanship. To be a student of the horse and to in some small way pass along the gifts Ray has offered to me, is my greatest educational accomplishment.
Awards and Honors I have campaigned horses to many State and Regional titles. My horses and I have earned 14 AQHA High-Point All-Around titles, won multiple AQHA year end high point awards, and have qualified for the AQHA World Show.
Question Hello,
I have looked up a ton of information on how to deal with aggressive behaviour but I am really getting confused because everyone has different ideas. I was hoping you might be able to clear up a few things.
I bought a 3 year old thoroughbred gelding and have had him about 3 months. At first he was always happy and calm, a little stubborn but nothing major. Lately he's been randomly pinning his ears. I could be around him for a long time just petting him and talking to him then all of a sudden he pins his ears at me and lifts a hind leg like he's going to kick. I sat "No" sternly and after a little bit he's happy again and I can pet him and work with him no problem.
I know that when he pins his ears I get a little surge of nervousness because I really don't want to get bitten, could that be fueling his bad behaviour? How exactly should you react to a horse that suddenly pins it's ears or acts aggressive towards you? Are there any tips to avoid getting bitten (because this really worries me...)?
Thank you so much for your time, I appreciate your help a lot.
-Jackie
Answer Hi Jackie!
Your horse is just taking over. He does not view you as a leader he can trust. A horse knows when you know and they know when you don't know!
Horses are NOT humans! Saying "No" sternly means NOTHING to a horse. It may mean something to the human, but it is lost on the horse. When he pinned his ears and lifted his leg, YOU moved out of his way. YOU stopped doing what you were doing, said no, and YOU changed! Your horse said "right on, I'm getting HER trained"!!!
You are worried, nervous, and scared. This makes you weak and not a leader to your horse. Your horse FEELS this, you can't lie, you can't hide this truth, the horse knows. YOU, Jackie, have to learn how to be a leader your horse can trust. You have to learn how to FEEL, READ and LEAD as a herd leader, NOT a human.
A horse that respects you would NEVER bite or kick you, period. Gaining your horses respect does not mean being mean, hitting, kicking, slapping, using whips/chains, it means being a leader. It means being aware of what happens BEFORE what happens, happens and taking care of the problem BEFORE it is a problem.
I would start back in the round pen. I would start this horse over, like a colt, and get all of the ground work spot-on good. I would start by hooking this horse on, proving myself to be a leader that the horse can trust, using my lass rope to rope up feet, flanks, belly, get the horse stopping off a hind foot and leading by the front feet. I would use my flag/tarp/slicker to build respect and confidence. I would be leading this horse by on the fence, throwing my rope, using my flag, getting him soft and quiet about leading up under me...just all of the things you do to start a colt!
I'm pretty sure you have never seen or used the classical ground school I'm talking about, so it is homework time for you. Watch the "Ground Work" DVD by Buck Brannaman. You can rent it on Horse Flix or buy it off the web. It is a gotta have for you. You could also attend a colt starting or foundation horsemanship clinic with Buck Brannaman, Ricky Quinn, Joe Wolter, Tom Curtin, or Bryan Neubert. There is just so much missing in your equine education that you will really have to put the time in to make things better for you and your horse!
I have so many people that write to me and want a one line, simple answer and it is just not possible. The answer always lies with the human and what they can offer the horse. The answer Jackie, is you have to change YOU. The feel from your heart and soul and guts has to be different. The horse will feel it. You have to walk in with a presence that speaks to the horse and says, I am the leader. Think of the people in your life that you REALLY trust and respect. How do you feel around them? How do you act? This is how YOU have to be around your horse. Changing your feel and LEARNING about classical ground work is the answer. It is a LONG answer and will take you time to master. It is a journey. It is worth the effort.
Keep me posted on your progress. As you watch the DVD and have questions, give me a shout. I'll be happy to help your fill in the blanks.
