What Makes A Horse Mean?

My mare can be downright mean to other horses: she kicks, bites, and even screams at horses on the other side of the fence. She will also do this so much that she will end up pulling down the wiring in the process. That being said, my mare does have a pleasant side. She allows the laidback gelding on the farm to bump right into her and even rub his head on her. Though sometimes his actions earn him a warning bite if he's successfully annoyed her. To me she is never mean. In fact, I can clearly see in her eyes and actions that she is fond of me. This doesn’t mean I’m always safe from her attitude. Yes, my mare can be moody and has a low tolerance level when her personal space bubble is popped. It is my responsibility to know my horse and the situations she can and cannot handle.

But how about horses that are just out to get other horses? I have not personally witnessed this, but have heard numerous stories about the “crazy horses.” It seems to come down to one thing; some horses are born this way, while others are made.

Some horses are just born with mean bones in their body. Sadly, this is true in any species. Occasionally you will come across an animal with high aggression issues. Aggressive issues from birth can simply be a result of the horse's personality type. I’ve known horses who are amazing kids’ lesson horses that you could walk past a hundred times and they would be fine. Then, out of nowhere and with no reason, they strike and kick you. It’s a fluke things, but once you know a horse has a bitter personality, it causes you to be more cautious around them and you have to be aware of their unpredictability.

PC: Jaksen Curtin, Photo of Sally

Frankly, not all horses are born mean, sometimes their behavior is a result of their past experiences. Starvation, abuse, neglect, and trauma can easily turn a good horse into one that’s dangerous to other horses, people, and even themselves. Their survival instincts kick in and they are forced to do all they can in order to stay alive. Poor chemistry in a herd that’s been forced together or matured horses housed with a young horse can also cause situations that craft a horse into always being over protective and aggressive.

Knowing your horse and paying attention to their personality can help. If the horse is sensitive, then avoid putting your horse in a highly dominate group of other horses. If your horse is already highly aggressive, be slow to introduce them to new horses. If you horse is just mean or has had aggression issues in the past, it might be a good idea to keep them in a separate pen.

It’s very important to remember that each horse is different in the way the react and interact with one another. It’s also crucial to understand your horse and be able to read it’s needs. Many times digging into a horse's past will explain a lot about your horse and could help you with issues that might come up.