Advice for pushy horse!

[GreatOcean]

So, I'm not experienced with horses at all.

I walk through a public footpath which has a very beautiful horse grazing, for a while he just followed me through the field as I walked through but now he nudges me, sniffs/nibbles my pockets, he's HUGE and I stay calm and just continue walking but yesterday he had me pinned to the hedge and I felt so uncomfortable!

I think he's wanting treats (I don't have any) but I don't know how to get him to back off?

I spoke with his owner who said to gently push his head away and wave my arms but when I tried this, he pushed me back (hardly blame him) and nearly had me off my feet. Then he followed and had his head at my ankles nudging my legs, trying to unfoot me maybe.

Any advice??

@CountryCob agreed , my mare could be absolutely evil if she sensed any nervousness , she was always lovely with me . My late mum and my sister , who were both perfectly capable with our others were terrified of her .

If he tries to shove you, try growling "oi" "no" "back up" etc - if you use a low pitched growly voice then most horses will take you seriously, whereas if you sound high pitched and nervous, this can sound like tones to encourage them to go faster on the lunge.

It doesn't really matter what you say, but most horses do understand a sharp "no" and most will know some kind of "back" command to move backwards out of your space. But equally if you growl something like "that's enough" coupled with assertive body language, then he will likely stop.

The problem is you then turn your back and this invites him to follow. Try turning back to face him a few times and assertively clapping your hands or telling him to back off. You're the boss here and you need to own your personal space.

If you ever feel cornered by him again, and his ears aren't pinned back, you could also try pushing his chest or shoulder firmly and saying "back" - most horses will move away from pressure in this scenario, you could also try clapping your hands and moving confidently towards him.

One other thing I would try which may be controversial is to carry a short whippy type stick into the field with you. Not to hit the horse with but if you wave it up and down as he moves towards you he may back off.

I do think the owner could fence the footpath with electric tape, my biggest concern in the summer would be he stands on someone's foot and they are wearing sandals or trainers, this could cause a really nasty injury.

Hi there,

Dealing with a pushy horse can be intimidating, especially if you’re not experienced with horses. Here are some tips to help you handle the situation safely:

1. Stay Safe and Calm:Maintain Distance: As much as possible, keep a safe distance from the horse. If the field is large enough, try to walk on the far side away from him.
2. Be Assertive: While it’s important to stay calm, you also need to be assertive to let the horse know you need space.
3. Techniques to Try:Carry a Walking Stick or Crop: Not to hit the horse, but to extend your reach and gently push him away if he gets too close. You can also use it to make yourself appear larger.
4. Make Yourself Big: Raise your arms to make yourself appear bigger and more imposing. This can sometimes discourage the horse from approaching too closely.
5. Use Voice Commands: A firm “No” or “Back” can sometimes be effective. Horses are responsive to tone, so a firm, confident voice can help.
6. Dealing with Nudging:Gently Push Back: If he nudges you, gently but firmly push his head away, just like his owner suggested. Keep your movements steady and confident.
7. Do Not Reward: Avoid giving treats or any positive reinforcement when he is pushy, as this can encourage the behavior.
8. Safety First:Avoid Turning Your Back: Always try to keep an eye on the horse so you can see what he’s doing and respond accordingly.
9. Move Confidently: Walk with purpose and confidence, which can often discourage horses from trying to dominate.

Long-Term Solution:If this behavior continues, it might be worth discussing more assertively with the owner. They might be able to offer additional training or temporarily confine the horse when they know people will be passing through.

Your safety is paramount, so if you ever feel too uncomfortable, it’s best to avoid the field altogether if possible.

I hope these tips help you feel more confident and safe. Take care!

I just wanted to update, as all your advice was so helpful - I'm now much, much more confident with Basil (the horse) and we actually get on very well.

I can read his body language in an instant, and after months of spending time with him almost daily (instead of getting past him quickly I spent time) he can read mine - I never knew how clever and sensitive horses are.

Most days, when he sees me approaching, he'll gallop around his field and approach for a head scratch and we walk together across the field.

Some days, he's not bothered whatsoever and doesn't even lift his head.

He's learnt to be gentle with me now and not pushy, I was quite stern at the beginning and he wouldn't get a fuss so he's very well behaved now so no chance of being pushed over. If I just raise my hand gently saying 'woah' he'll back up a little.

One day last month I'd had some very bad news, and was upset, I went across the field on my walk as normal, Basil trotted up, and I couldn't believe it, he rested his (huge) head on my shoulder - I was so touched I just cried and gave him hugs. He stood stock still (very unlike him).

The advice I had here helped hugely, I learnt more about horses than I thought I ever would in an effort to feel more comfortable, but I've ended up with this very sweet long faced friend!

What a lovely update , horses are the best therapists .

Thats a really lovely update. Well done, its really hard to act confident around big animals if you're not used to them.

I have a friend who has to walk through a horse field with an umbrella open or a carrier bag on her stick as there's a very bolshy mare!

That's a lovely update OP. Sorry about your sad news but your description of Basil and how he reacted made me well up a bit..

I think that's the best update I've ever read on MN X

What a lovely update!

I would just add for people reading, maybe ask the owner to walk across the field with you and show you how to act in this situation.

But you have obviously developed a lovely relationship without that!

Lovely update @GreatOcean. Horses are the best, they are highly intuitive and respond to our emotions. Treat them with respect and kindness and they will respond accordingly. That's why so many of us end up obsessed with them 😆

Thank you for the lovely update.
Horses are good for the soul