How to "break" a VERY dominant mare?

by Marianne
(Finland)

Hi!

I am a young woman from Finland and I have a major problem with one of our horses. She is a 4 year old Finnish horse and i have owned her almost her entire life. I bought her when she was only couple months old (from a Finnish horse breeder) and when she finally was old enough and separated from her mother (a leading mare in the herd) and came to our ranch, it was like i got a NIGHTMARE instead of a young horse. She had no manners WHATSOEVER! I can't even begin to describe it... she kicked me many times very suddenly for no apparent reason, she ran over me many times again very suddenly without any warning, she was impossible when I wanted to put a halter on her, she chased people who entered her pasture, she seems to have no respect towards other horses in her herd she just likes to pick on them and always bumps into them. She also has always hated all kinds of animals; dogs, cats, sheep, you name them she hates them and chases them.

She has scared off many people with this insane behaviour and believe me the list doesn't end here. Anyway, I love her very very much and I have tried my best to make her a happy, calm, safe horse. I have partially succeeded; she doesn't rear anymore, she doesn't kick anymore, everyday handling is pretty simple, halter is very easy to put on, she doesn't threat people anymore or chase them at all.

She is very friendly and social and polite in the pasture. However, "breaking" her seems impossible. We have a round pen and I use it train her, but she isn't happy about working, she protests and bucks toward me. At times she shows improvement and looks a little bit more "broke" but everyday I have to start over. Like she has forgotten how to be calm and humble that she was at the end of the last "session". She bucks so much that it makes me a little bit afraid of her.

It's terrible to have fear for your own horse, it's making me love her less. I haven't tried to train her under saddle before because I hurt my back two years ago and it had to wait until now. So this is a new thing for her. but I feel so lost with her. I would like nothing more than to hear some good ideas?

what should I do?? How should I behave around her?? what's next? There aren't many people in Finland who train horses naturally so I literally have no one to turn to.

I'm hoping you have time to answer my question and I love your website! love, Marianne and Saga

Answer:

Hi Marianne,

First let’s discuss some wording that you have used to identify and possibly help with the horse’s perspective here.

No horse is born with “manners” they are born with innate abilities, a natural instinct to survive and their very own characteristics. (Like snowflakes they are all similar but when you look more closely you discover they are all very unique and different) From here everything else is learned by their life experiences with interactions with humans, their environment etc. We can say the same about the human experience too.

It appears you have done some good work since you have overcome several problems that you first had. Ask yourself, “What approach did you take with her that worked?” When training went well and she learned, what did you do that made this happen? For example, did you become frustrated and simply force her to wear the halter, or did you break the session down and spend the time needed to introduce her to that halter more slowly?

What you have described in this mare is an innate ability to defend herself, her space/body, her environment and lead the herd. She “trusts” only her own decisions. She is telling us loudly what she approves of and what she will not tolerate. As challenging as this is you gotta love her honestly. (Horses never lie!)

Many mares have a strong need to keep order amongst the herd. It has been decided amongst many horse behaviorists that it is a mature mare who will lead a herd where a stallion’s job is different, usually to protect the herd and his procreative interests. We need to have a lot of respect for what concerns them most. What she does amongst the herd members is not our business (unless someone is getting hurt) but what she does with us is our business. Her flight and fight instinct is very strong so forceful methods (meaning, do it or else) will often yield poor short term results with this disposition. Clever negotiations are in order. The question dominant horses are asking is, “What’s in it for me? Why should I do this? How does this benefit me?” and they will not hesitate to act on their feelings of disapproval especially when their freedom to choose is being challenged.

The way one horse would prove to another horse to follow them is to demonstrate they are the bravest, smartest leader with the promise to be able to keep them safe under all circumstances. That translates to a horse/human interaction that we are the best candidate and show the ability to make all decisions when we interact by being predictable and consistence in our requests. Plus being a quiet, calm and confident around them is more respected opposed to loud talking, quick movements or frustration.

No horse ever kicks at something or someone without a warning. They have the ability to strike in a second but there is always a warning just before. Whether it is pinned ears, swish of the tail or a nasty look. Observe her body language closely and feel with your intuition this will offer you guidance.

Unless I can see you work with her, I have no way of knowing your skill level or approach and timing. But what I do feel your challenges are lie within the words “trust”, “respect” and “fear”. She is showing some trust since you are able to handle her better than before however respect is weak toward you. And your trust toward her has understandably diminished. There is a balance between trust and respect where they need to be equal in the relationship. Her defensive measures to buck indicate fear to protect herself.

I prefer to think of “training” as a means to communicate with each other to obtain a mutual understanding rather than use the word “breaking”. No horse likes to “work” (just like people! :0) but they do enjoy an interaction if there is something in it for them, like fun. (Hmmmmm, that’s like people too!) If she is objecting to be with you and these sessions, she is not enjoying them thus she will get worse rather than learn from the lesson. In fact she is thinking this through to get out of the next one! (She is a very smart girl) Horses out-frustrate people all the time and we label them stubborn, bad, mean etc!

Concentrate hard on ground training exercises especially moving her hind quarters away from you. At this stage of your relationship I would recommend you never allow her to turn her hind end in your direction. Learn and understand the difference and how to apply negative reinforcement vs. positive reinforcement. Your timing is crucial regarding the release of pressure. Dominant horses thrive with the utilization of Clicker Training and I know you would find this a savior! The best book to buy is, The Click That Teaches by Alexandra Kurland.

Our ebook “The Secret Lives of Horses” will also give you more insight into understanding horse behavior & psychology and how to identify the best approach with different characteristics.

In the end, we communicate and teach best when we consider the other person’s or horse’s perspective first before our own.

Elaine Polny
Training Horses Naturally