The Problem:

I am writing about a situation which I have never seen before in my life as a horse owner and trainer. An owner brought me a well-bred young stallion to break and train. This colt is somewhat mature for his age and particularly nervous. He gets upset every time a horse is led by his stall and becomes really upset when another stallion is around. Yet, this colt has never been bred!

Now for the problem: When this horse gets upset - he mutilates himself. He reaches around and bites at his side - actually ripping his own hide. His self- inflicted wounds keep us from riding him and we are continuously doctoring the damage.

Have you ever heard of or experienced this kind of behavior? Is there some kind of explanation? And is it possible to hope for a cure for this horse? Stressed Out in Georgia

The Problem:

My wife says she owns a sweet little filly. I wonder how a horse could hoodwink such an intelligent women since the mare won't let anyone touch her ears. As you can imagine, haltering or bridling is near impossible. Would appreciate any information which might help my wife, and therefore, me with this problem.

Tom M., Chicago

The Answer:

Horses usually are not born with a built-in violent rejection of having their ears touched. Environment and circumstance are normally the culprit in the production of an ear shy horse. But then there was Bootlegger Zan.

The Problem:

What I have is a mare who is a candidate for PMS! When "Vixen" is bred, she's so precious and loving. If you go to the pasture gate and whistle she comes running - wanting her lovin' and attention. And to ride - she's so willing to please and so smart and capable. She's wonderful!! BUT..... after her babies are weaned (she does get tired of the little darlings) and, if she's not bred back, she turns into what my daughter calls "The Mare from Heck"! She bucks!. She kicks! She's completely nasty and unpredicable! Every year at this time, I swear I'm selling her.

My husband always smiles and sets up another breeding and Lo & Behold, within six weeks to two months, my sweet "Vixen" reappears. Is this a normal hormone thing or should I test her for something - or is my solution "KEEP HER BACKFOOT AND PREGNANT! Help! I have babies coming out my ears!                                          S. B., Oregon

The Problem:
We recently purchased an eight year old gelding for our seven year old daughter. "Trigger" is fairly quiet in nature, well mannered and low man on the totem pole to our other three horses whom he never tries to kick; yet every time we go trail riding Trigger kicks out at any strange horse that comes up behind him. He gives plenty of warning signs but novice riders don't notice and ride right up behind him.
The result is always the same - both barrels right in the chest!
I'm willing to ride Trigger and do whatever is necessary to correct the situation but I'd rather have it come from Jessica because I don't want Trigger thinking he can get away with anything just because he has a smaller person on his back. What can I do?
The Answer:
Fixing Trigger's problem isn't going to be all that easy now that the behavior has moved from being a reaction to a habit.

The Problem:

Two years ago, I bought a three month old weanling stallion with hopes of making him into a show horse. Now don't think that I planned on keeping him a stallion. I was ready to have Buddy gelded as soon as possible. At nine months of age, Buddy was a gentle, willing colt with one descended testicle. Upon the advice of my vet, I agreed to have him castrated. Personally I wanted to wait until both testicle were present but he indicated that if the colt hadn't dropped by now, he probably wasn't going to.

My horse continued to grow and mature nicely until about twenty months of age when he began displaying a very dominant nature. He began herding horse and mating with receptive mares - in other words, he began showing stallion behavior.

My vet did a testosterone level test which indicated that Buddy was producing the male hormone at stallion levels. Three unsuccessful surgery's later, my horse is still behaving like a stallion. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Tricia C., Louisiana

The Answer:

We think that it is evident that Buddy has a physiological problem that is influencing his behavior.

The Problem:

I own a six year old gelding that I have had for three years. When I bought this horse he had been underfed, abused, attacked by a stud and was a cripple. He was barely green broke so as soon as he become sound I began riding him, usually letting him follow along beside his pasture mate. The problem is now that whenever this horse looses sight of his buddy he starts nickering. If his friend doesn't return he becomes nervous and tries to turn back .

I've tried correcting him by scolding, using a bat, switch, spurs and a rope. Nothing seems to do any good. Riding is getting to be a chore rather than fun! A solution to this problem would be greatly appreciated.

Sarah B., Fayetteville, NC

The Answer:

Horses have memories like the proverbial elephant. Sometimes this can be a good thing; other times a curse.