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Horse Behavior and Training

prance horse

By:

sunifasa

Date:

2013-Nov-25 at 01:53AM

I have noticed that my mare is somethimes prance right in front of me. What does it mean in her language and how I supposed to react? thanks!

Rudi - Pratteln, Switzerland 2013-Nov-27 at 08:15AM

Dear sunifasa
(if I understood well the English expression: the horse is standing on the hindquarters)
If you read the corresponding chapter in Monty's book you will find some information, but it is about riding such a horse. Psychologically it is at first a sign of saying that you ask too much and a sign of agression. As mentioned in Monty's book it is dangereous and sometimes the reason can be an anatomical one. With time it may become a way of "manipulating" you (which is an antropomorphized expression): the horse will learn that the behaviour has an advantage for him. The training has the well known rules of "PICNIC". You have to invent exercises of gradual difficulty praising the horse if everything goes well and let the Dually work if not.
Rudi

vicci - UK (North Wales) 2013-Nov-27 at 01:14PM

Interesting comment Rudi - I think we may have language differences here. I interpret prancing as a bit like doing a piaffe! What you do describe, I call rearing - the confusion of language eh?! Sunifasa - can you describe in more detail exactly what she is doing please. Describe what her front and back legs are doing, how high off the ground she goes, what her head does at the time, things lke that. Also, is there a particular time of day she does it, and are there any stallions near by any chance? Thanks

sunifasa 2013-Nov-30 at 02:58AM

By saying she is prancing I mean that she is standing on hind legs. It happened a few times, last time when I was standing close to her, giving a rub. She was fine with this but after a few seconds she put her ears back, pranced and started tossing her head.In my opinion she might be bored, she might try me by showing her dominance or as Rudi says try to manipulating me. I know that this is nothing positive and just need to know how to react. Few times I send her away and she started yawn, like whatever, nothing happened...

beryl 2013-Nov-30 at 03:00PM

Hi sunifasa, yes, we call it rearing; as Rudi said, it is aggressive & dangerous, so be aware of that & wear a hat when handling her in case she hits your head!!!
If you think there may be a physical problem, get the vet & physio to check her out.
If she is physically good, then school her with the Dually, she needs to learn what is acceptable behaviour & what is not acceptable.
She sounds like a "strong" / bossy mare & i expect clever mare, so yes, you will need to give her exercises to keep her interested & as Rudi says, lots of praise when she does right & she will learn that it's fun to do what you ask.
That in my opinion is the most important part of training.

The yawning / whatever, sounds very much like mine, haa haa haa!!!
Good luck, let us know how you get on.

sunifasa 2013-Nov-30 at 06:22PM

thanks beryl, you are right she likes to be bossy and sometimes dominant especially when I make mistakes. She is very smart mare. I will try keep her more busy doing different kind of exercises with lots of praise.
thanks!