Cross Breeds

what does my horses behavior mean?

i started taking care of a horse that is retired from saddle racing. he belongs to an older man who didnt have much interaction with him for about a year. charlie (the horse) was not lead, or ridden, nor was he brought in to his stall..hes a very good horse most of the time, but when i walk into his stall to get his bowl for grain, and walk into his stall to give him his grain he will lower his head towards the floor, and it looks like hes tellin me yes. is this a nervous behavior? my friend keeps her horse at this barn, and she said that he is a very nervous horse. he also will rub his head on me pretty rough sometimes if i turn my back to him for to long, or i stand near his head when im brushing him. is this a sign that he thinks hes head of pack between me and him? i love him like crazy, but at the same time he needs to know im the boss. hes 11 or 12, and thinks he still has to run every where, and just wants to go go go..will he ever get out of this, or is this a life time thing for him because he was a race horse? charlie gets daily turn out, and plenty of time to get his energy out..i also have some toys for him to play with, his stall is a pretty big stall. charlie gets lots and lots of lovin from me, i brush him everyday, hug and kiss him like crazy when he is eating..i have sat on his back, and my friend lead us up and down the barn, but he didnt want to move the first few times i sat on him. i spend a lot of time grooming him and spending time with him, it just seems like hes being pushy almost..and i want him to understand he can not push me around, im in head pecking order not him. i have always been around calm quiet horses, so charlie is new to me.

Public Comments

1. i worked on a horse ranch for years. its very common behavior. Your horse just wants attetion. Charlie may seem like he's bening rough when he pushes his head against you, next time move off to the side, rub his neck and talk to him see how he reacts. they usually calm down a bit. With him putting his head down can mean multipe things. and again may means he wants attetion. You want to be the boss, but you also need to give him attetion. play with him, talk to him, brush him. most horses like there neck rubbed, not their face. Its when his ears go down is when you should be nervous. he's probably upset. he's 10x's biger than you. walk away. try breaking him. ifyou dont know how, ask someone who does.
2. my mum has a horse exactly like this. i don't think he will ever grow out of this behavior. ex racehorses pick up bad box manners, just don't be scared. stand over him and let him know who's boss.
3. He is rubbing his head on you because it probably itches. Every time my horse gets a good workout her face is sweaty and she will rub it on me. I don't think it's much more than an itch. As for him lowering his head, I don't think that's nervous behavior at all. Typically a nervous horse will be really prancy and won't be able to stand still.
4. Well if this is a retired race horse then it maybe that he is nervous a bit. What you need to do is just be patient with him because if this older man was the only owner for him and then he is being cared by you, everything is all new for him. It will take some time to have him trust you without him lowering his head. You would have to just rub his head when you have him out and talk very calmly and quiet. With him being the age he is, does not mean he is that old. He can still be taught that their are very nice people out there. I have horses and they do the same thing with the rubbing their head on my back really hard but it is out of love.As long as you turn him out daily and spend the time with him he will come around to where he will love it when he sees you and to take him out. Now as for riding him and he has not been ridden for over a yr, it will take some time for him to get back into that routine. Well they can be pushy sometimes but you need to let him know that you are in control not him. So if you are walking him and he gets in front of you, push on his chest and tell him no and back, but do that in a firm voice because you want him to know that you are in control. He will learn but it is going to take time and if you have the time and patience then he will be a very good horse to have. Good luck and I hope this helps.