An answer to a post concerning "bargy" horse:
Here's a bit of a hint - its always the "low men on the totem pole" who physically fight for position in the herd. In other words, the leaders will "assume" the position just by their demeanors and the other horses will "choose" that horse for his/her leader. As long as we puny humans continue to "fight" with the horse we place ourselves low, low, low in the hierarchial ranks of the herd. Not where we want to be cause that's where we get hurt. The horse is being bargy because he's learned he CAN be ... that he is higher ranking and he doesn't HAVE to be respectful. It's not about the whip or the bat or the chain or the halter - its about the demeanor and the attitude. BE the lead horse. BE higher ranking. Make yourself BIG and say to him "exCUSE ME! I do NOT like to be pushed around!" and then work on his hind-end a bit (hind end disengagments) until he's soft and compliant with his head down a bit and he's BLINKING ... and, possibly chewing. Then let him relax, think on things for a moment or two and return him to where you first started. Then, assertively ask him to walk WITH you politely. No can do? He's barging again? Repeat the same scenario above. Absolutely NO fighting with him. No shanking, no aggressive attitude or actions ... as the Dog Whisperer would say ..."Calm Assertiveness". If he barges through you again let him run into the end of the rope and stand firm so he'll HAVE to swing his hindend around to face you. Then work your hind end disengagements again. Wait, once again, for the blinking and the head lowering. Then calmly go back to where you started once again and say, "Come on, we'll try this again." Ask him to FOLLOW you back to your original start place. If he gets too close on your heels GET BIG AGAIN and say exCUSE ME! You are TOO CLOSE! and back him up with ASSERTIVENESS; not aggressiveness. Let him think on it for a few then repeat request. It is YOUR ATTITUDE that is going to change his thinking. Not your physical prowess. That does diddly-squat except to challenge him to furher fighting with you. BE his leader. BE assertive. BE calm. BE expectant that he IS going to move and respect you. Take as long as it takes and always approach him with the assertive, leader attitude. Then ... have fun teaching this to his owner! It's not about the horse! --Gwen