Mean gelding

I have a beautiful 3 year old mustang/thoroughbred gelding. He is on a 2 acre pasture with his mother and although gets a bit rambunctious with her, never is vicious with her.

However, over the past year he has developed a severe dislike for my milk goats-to the degree of running them down, biting them. He actually killed one of my baby goats that had gotten out into his pasture (I have to keep the goats separate from him). I have found 2 chickens dead in their stall over the past several months which I strongly suspect was his doing.

He hasn't been trained, although I have started him and he is halter broke. He tends to try to bully me, but I don't let him get away with that nonsense. His mother (12 year old sweetie) doesn't seem to mind the goats at all. Is there anything I can do to change this behavior?

Hi,

Well, I don't believe in 'mean' horses. They are horses that fend for themselves. Domestic horses live in an unnatural way. This produces unnatural behavior. Sounds like this horse is no exception and has no real leader around.

You said you "started" the horse. Do you mean you ride him? This is what 'starting the horse' generally means. I have known quite a few horses who go after small animals and will kill them. These horses are generally bored, have little to do that is interesting for them and have no leader, human or equine, around to guide them. What I would suggest is that you do a whole lot more with this horse like ground play or exercises. Get him yielding softly and compliantly. This takes time and consistent handling. It has to be almost daily and not occasionally. 'Occasionally' won't do a thing.

Not letting him bully you is good, but there is a ton more to it than that. Being able to set an appropriate boundary is an absolute necessity. I think your horse is bored and fending for himself. He is like a kid who is bored and has become a bully and tries to hurt others because he has never been taught how to trust a leader, he has no clue how to trust another or respect another. He also has no clue as to repercussions for his behavior (again no real leader around). If he does what you do not want he immediately needs to go right to work.

Give him a job and see the positive changes......

Sincerely, Franklin