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suyents
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1651 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Nov 2003 : 11:08:47 PM
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Hi Lisa,
In answer to your question, temperament is the basic building block upon which everything else stands as far as i am concerned...Sadly, there are lots of horses out there who, through some sort of mis-management or bad experience, end up with reputations for having a bad temperament...In time however, even these can be made to feel secure. Tarac's father, possibly one of the better known "controversial" stallions, used to allow my eleven year old son to ride him bare-back...More importantly, I used to allow him to do so!!
Arab horses, with their history of living in close proximity to Man are, in my opinion, the "dogs" of the equine world, in that they will always reward their owners with trust, understanding and love given Time and half a chance.
As for an outstanding individual, my daughter's Arab,Prince of Aqaba, is worth his weight in proverbial gold.We bought him when he was three weeks old the year i was expecting Justine. He takes care of anyone riding him, whether novice or experienced, will do absolutely everything you ask of him (including collect the sunday paper and make the tea)and could be ridden up the M5 without a worry. He was a stallion until he was nine years old, but even then his temperament was fantastic.
As for my other gees...they can all have their rugs taken off(and put on) over their heads while out free-standing in a field...all tolerate me hanging onto their tails and swinging them from side to side(tails, not horses!!)...and have frequently had dogs, cats and chickens balanced on their backs...Yes, we are mad here!!
As for Tarac, he may be a dragon in the show-ring, but he's a real donkey at home(All donkey-lovers, this is not meant as an insult!)..He will happily allow me to do whatever i like with him, is a joy to ride out on, accepts living with or without mares and has never made faces at me...In fact, we often lie in the stable together discussing the latest current affairs.:) Fortunately, for those people with his stock, his dragon disguise is known to be just that!!
Anyway, i've waffled enough, think you get the picture!
suyen. |
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pat ww
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3459 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2003 : 09:20:51 AM
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Its a shame stallions get some bad press. Our lad was so laid back he was literally horizontal. If he hadn't finished his nap by feed time he would lie there giving soulful looks till you held his bucket for him to eat lying down.
But he did get into bad habits. I had to warn people who thought he was a dope and went into the stable with him, about him swinging his quarters into them and trapping them. It was his way of demanding a bottom scratch, and as soon as you obliged he was in ecstasy.
It would be so easy for this to have been misunderstood, as were his half back 'submissive' ears, which people with lack of expereince think are 'ears back' aggression.
I wonder how many submisive horses have been punished for this gesture, and become neurotic as a result. |
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dee
Silver Member
United Kingdom
401 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2003 : 12:19:07 PM
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Hi all,
I have had my mare for seven years since she was two and she is only slighty better in her temperment now than then, her nick name only clean one I can print is Bam Bam because thats how she used to kick us (both barrels). She is bred out of Kheiralla (straight Eygptian) by Silver Circle and bred at Cwyrtai stud Anglessey. She was very poor when we bought her not from the stud, and had a leg injury were apparently fell down a hole.
She isn't a cuddly arab like my geldings, loves her food and will kill if disturbed when eating. 9 out 10 times I have to tie her up to even brush her as she is very irratable, ears back, teeth baring, and if you accidently touch her in passing or mucking out the stable she flies at you with teeth, she had me last week grabbed my bob hat and a mouthful of my hair.
When other people look at her they all think she is so sweet, I could never sell her as I don't think people would put up with her, even though she has these terrible faults she is still very much loved.
My healer thinks she had some sort of trauma in her very early life.
The faces she pulls are quite amusing sometimes, my farrier is most amused but glad she is tied up. We call her sweetie when she's being evil and ask her for kisses instead of hitting her, been there done that, it does not work as she is as stubborn as a mule.
Dee x |
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Wendy Allan
Silver Member
United Kingdom
310 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2003 : 4:27:21 PM
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Dee,
Your girl sounds similar to Tara. My farrier took on board her quirks and if she objects to anything he is doing he stops, tells her she is beautiful and gives her a couple of minutes of patting before he carries on.
Grooming was a 3 person job until about 1 year ago. She eventually realised that she wasn't going to be hurt by the brushes and began to tolerate - now I can groom her without tying her up and by myself - great feeling of achievement this summer when she was HAPPY while I brushed her tummy.
She still has the full repertoire of ears back, teeth baring, cow kicking, squashing, stamping on feet, both barrels, lunging etc., but she is very selective as to how and when to use them nowadays...she has people that she likes and trusts, including most of the local vets, thank goodness, but other than that we warn everybody not to approach her as she can be dangerous.
I actually kept her originally because I felt that I owed it to her not to have her passed from pillar to post until she ended up at slaughter, then just sheer dogged stubborness made me keep her when everybody was telling me to have her destroyed.
Having said all of that, I firmly believe that she would never harm a child. Unfortunately I haven't met a child I dislike enough to put my theory to the test yet ;-))
Wendy
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DibDob
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
130 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2003 : 5:13:18 PM
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Dee
You probably know that I am trying to trace the breeding of Pixie, as everyone does! One of the mares on my list of possible Pixie's is Rhus, she is by Kheiralla out of Challon Jemora. She was bred by Sheelagh Stephens and I have no contact information for her to find any details out. I know it could be coincidence but straws is all I have to clutch at these days! Could oyu let me know if you know anything please.
Debbie |
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t_linington
Gold Member
United Kingdom
815 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2003 : 8:05:55 PM
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Hi, Sue I hope you are on the mend soon. XX
Temperament is paramount for me, as my son is always in the wrong place!! My mare Palloma(Bless her)was amazing with him, when he was 2/3 years old, he did everything you shouldn't do. I used to find him standing underneath her, brushing her tummy!! And he was forever coming out of her stable with her tea!! She never once put her ears bakc at him, or pulled a face!!
The day i lead her down to the woods to be put to rest, she held her nose on my arm all the way down, as if to reassure me that everything would be ok! Still brings tears to my eyes now!
She was so wise and knowing!
Charlie is lovely, i am really getting to know him now....I think I always had Palloma in the way! But this summer it's almost as if he has made an extra special effort> Does that make sense?
Tina.
tina linington |
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Lisa
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2611 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2003 : 8:38:34 PM
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| I always have to make sure my gelding gets plenty of fuss because he is used to being centre of attention and gets quite put out if I make a fuss of my mare! Typical bloke really! |
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MO Moor
Silver Member
United Kingdom
351 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2003 : 9:23:54 PM
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I was also going to say the same as Sueyen has previously mentioned. Horses are not born bad or nasty but are reactive to their surroundings and lifestyle. I do feel that many stallions are not the flesh eating, white eyed rearing mustangs that some may see. They have to adapt this manner in order to survive the lifestyles they are in.
I am also a great believer in horses being able to display their emotions to their owners and as long as they repect the safety issue and do not intimidate wheres the harm?
I have had an insight into "Stallions gone bad" and my boy still has as much character as before but has settled, as he is settled.  I would merely like to advise that don't judge a book by its cover and please read at least the opening page as it may tell you more.
k mckenzie |
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white bryony
Gold Member
United Kingdom
778 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2003 : 11:26:39 AM
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pat ww
my filly does the same as your stallion,she will turn her bum round on me for a scratch and will stay there for ages [till my arm aches],unfortianately some people would see this as threataning behaviour,i see it as 'a cheeky watsit' ,
my filly attempts to scratch me back,but finds it difficult as she knows teeth arent allowed
Emma
 
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Libby Frost
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4711 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2003 : 1:35:05 PM
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| I think all animals are how humans have made them.we used to have pigs years ago and we had this boar (Boris)Well,boars have a reputation also as being aggressive well our was'nt! he liked to be tucked up in bed after tea,covered in straw,and he would stay,in the same position,till morning ,then he'd have his breakfast!!And he refused to cover a sow after tea also! Maybe worried about indigestion!Both our stallions are lovely boys Ma'an's party trick is if you stand by his neck and scratch it he will nuzzle and suck your hair for you!! (may need washing after!!)hes a lovely lad alright but its how we made them,a bit i suppose like educating children?? |
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pat ww
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3459 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2003 : 2:06:42 PM
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The same soft lad was 'allowed' to do a liberty class in the indoor before his actual show class. After careering round to the beat of 'Crazy horses' he did the inevitable and tried to roll, so was chased round some more!
Catching could have been funny at his stage, but we had the BUCKET, but did not need it. He had stopped for a breather, and we approached him from behind, scratched his bottom and had the ecstasy pose.
He came third in a "C" class later that day, so his little bit of letting off steam did him good. I wonder was he judged on his free performance or his good behaviour in the class! |
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razgold
Platinum Member
USA
1576 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2003 : 2:14:24 PM
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Pat did you goto see Lillian? Things are looking good and she may be out of hospital tomorrow. Fingers crossed. She is still in Broadgreen.
Sue
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pat ww
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3459 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2003 : 2:20:33 PM
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Hi Sue, I found it impossible to get past the Broadgreen switch board. I waited about five minutes to get the general number only to be told to use another one for patient enquiries. that was engaged all day, and I did not want a wasted journey.
I'll try again if she is still there, visiting is 2 - 8 so i've got plenty of time if I can be patient enough to wait till they answer.
how is Jane, keep me posted. Moira's mare had a ligament problem, she was lucky as she did come sound but it was only pulled not torn. I hope she can recover.
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razgold
Platinum Member
USA
1576 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2003 : 3:21:19 PM
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Pat
She is in ward c and will be there till at least tomorrow. She would like the company as not many people can get up there.
Sue
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2003 : 09:32:17 AM
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I agree with everyone that temperament is of vital importance. A bad tempered horse is DANGEROUS, I live near newmarket and some of the racehorses inflict horrendous injuries on people. They are comodoties and are not always treated as one would wish to see them treated plus they are oated up and then stood in a box with nothing to do for 23 hours out of 24.
My three year old colt is like a lamb, he is so laid back he is flat out! My friend who has a cob and a couple of little ponies thinks he smokes pot in the back of his box at night. One of these days I'll borrow a fag and tuck it behind his ear when she is coming round!
I know that the majority of bad temperaments are man made. When I bought my gelding he was two and a half and I was the fourth home he had (unless there were more I didn't know of). I didn't really want him but he was a bag of bones and I spent three weeks worrying about him before I went back and bought him. He wouldn't be stroked, couldn't get near his feet etc etc. He was my first ever horse so I had a steep learning curve. I thought foals popped out man made, never even occured to me that they had to learn to have their feet picked up and be socialised. It was quite a time before we got the problems sorted but they do come round. He is nearly 27 now and although he is very dominant twards other horses he is a poppet with people.
I would not rule out a bad tempered stallion who was perfect in all other ways if I knew he was from a line with good temperaments and I thought it could be the way he was handled. I do think the early handling and the way the mare behaves twards people have a profound effect on the foals oulook on life.
Good luck, Sue, hope you are on the mend soon.
Regards
Barbara |
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