Hi HASBEEN...

I must be so naïve about the behaviour of our domestic animals, I had absolutely no idea that a horse, could be so cantankerous and irascible, particularly after having being 'broken in' ? I realise you have an abundance of experience with equines HASBEEN, so the notion they'll attack their own image (if seen in a mirror) is truly extraordinary ! It's little wonder really, how these relatively small Jockeys can manage to control some of these huge thoroughbreds, at the Race Track, certainly trying to get them into the 'Starters Gate' prior to a race ?

These impressive looking creatures, despite their tame, majestic image, appear quite harmless. Nevertheless they're really quite dangerous if you don't know how to handle them ? What I find quite anomalous, despite their massive size, they are in reality, of a nervous disposition, whenever they encounter a person or situation they may fear ?

TMOL?
1. To reproduce
2. To tell others how they should live.
Hope this helps, osw.

O sung wu, I've worked on farms for over 20 years, this was many decades ago. I handled horses on an almost daily basis, most were working horses, plus some domestic horses that were basically pets. Over time, probably over 300 or so horses. Aggressive horses were EXTREMELY rare, and almost all were VERY well behaved and did a good job. I've had no experience with racing horses, but from my talks with people in the racing industry these racing horses have aggression bred into them and are highly strung to say the least. If they are not successful and don't make money they are often discarded like rubbish, despite the lying denials from the industry.

Stallions are not yarded together or in close proximity for good reason - competition when a female comes into oestrus. Whereas on large properties it is different.

Apart from that, horses are individuals and some stallions in particular can be right S.O.Bs.

Farmers have usually got in early and culled out and bred out possible problem behaviours. That doesn't remove the harem forming & competitive behaviour, which is normal.

A sizeable farm paddock might not prevent serious injury or death. Horses do not always read signals well.

Farmers don't waste effort. There are reasons for gelding where breeding is not required.

My preferred mount is a Kawasaki, or the Landcruiser 70.

I have never had a horse that was vicious with people, but have had a couple that took a dislike to another particular horse.

My stallion, that will attack his own reflection, is a lovely horse in all human dealings. My daughter was riding him when she was 10 & he was 4 years old. 2 years later she was regularly winning show jumping events on him.

He is one of the joys of my life. Whenever he sees me, or even hears the house paddock gate open, he calls to me, & comes, often at a trot, for a rub. He is now 28, & came to us as an 8 month old colt, so we're old friends.

It is nice when you can break in a youngster, & avoid them developing problems. I could have worked his reflection attacking out of him, but it was not really problem to avoid the situation.

Horses you buy can be difficult. A 10 year old we bought, a brilliant eventer, properly ridden, an ex racehorse, could not be worked on tied up. Even saddling he would pull back hard enough to smash his halter, or the thing he was tied too. I could have worked it out of him, with enough time. However I discovered if I turned him back to the hitching point in the yard, or on the truck, I could drop his lead on the ground & he would stand for any saddling or even shoeing.

I used to wonder what traumatic event had caused his fear of being tied. He was one who developed an attachment for a particular horse, & would chase others away if they came near.

He couldn't handle retirement. He would stand at the gate for hours waiting for his daily workout. He was not an easy horse to ride, & I had to find someone good enough to handle him, who wanted an aging horse on his way down. I found a strong 14 year old girl, who wanted him for pony club, so he had a final career at pony club.

Only just noticed the last line of your post Beachy.

Are you mad? Those motor bikes are dangerous things, scare the daylights out of me they do.

Then off roading is almost as bad. Falling off mountain sides, & getting stuck in creeks & rivers & things. You're as bad as my son.