New Horse ... new behavior

[boko]

Before my horse was mine, he belonged to a friend. He, the horse, was a dream in every way. He was trained to come to you when you went into the paddock no matter how far away he was. He even did that for me when he came to my barn ... for about 3 weeks. Then, not only did he stop coming to me, he started running from me. I have put very little pressure on him and have only ridden him a couple of times as he gets used to his new home and to me. I don't use force with him, so I don't think it's any of that. However, most of the time I have spent with him since I got him has been holding him while he had his shoes put on, then treating his abscessed foot, then tending to his rain scald, then tending to a tick bite he got on his sheath. Could it be that he runs from me because we've had so little "Fun" time together? So far it's mostly been about his pain or discomfort and me trying to fix it. Advice please?

[Reilly122602]

Oh, give him time. He dosnt hate you. Im sure he knows that you are helping him by getting his medical issues fixed. The same thing happened with a horse I had, after awhile of him getting more and more used to me he started coming to me. Dont worry, im sure he'll become alot better about it. Just offer treats.

[boko]

Thanks for the reassurance. I will give him time.

[JessicaReed]

Well, when you do get him from his paddock, give him a treat and halter him while he's eating it. Wait all day out in that field if you have to. Take a bucket out and sit down on it until he comes. His curiousity will get the best of him and he'll come to you. Just give him the treat and halter him. I have found out in all of my experience with horses that the you can always get to a horse by its gut. LOL! How old is he? What breed? How long have you have him? Is he a gelding or a stallion? Good luck!

[boko]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I must admit, I'm not too keen on the idea of giving him treats in order for him to come to me. I think that a lot of the problem is that, so far, most of our time together had been spent doing things that hurt. i.e cleaning his rain rot, tending to a tick bite on his shealth, soaking his foot for an abscess. I was with him yesterday and he didn't give me such a hard time when I went into the paddock so I'm hoping that with time, and as our bond grows, he will start to look forward to seeing me. He is a 4-year-old TB gelding and I've had him about 5 weeks! Thanks again for the help!

[JessicaReed]

Ya, sure. I just wondered what breed, age, and gender he was because that really can give a big impact on their disposition. Seeing that he is a 4-year-old Thoroughbred, he would have more energy than a Paint or an Appy. :p Lucky you! You have a TB! My fave. :p I thought that maybe he was a stallion or something. :p Guess not! Anyway, good luck!

[boko]

No, he just thinks he's a stallion! Actually, he's a big sweet, adorable baby ... AND a bit of a brat! Yes I am very lucky. Thanks again!

[choco horse]

lol he was just probly a bit unsure about the move from one home to another and given his age and breed i think it would probly be normal for him to be shuck up for a few weeks!

[boko]

I love the term "Shuck up"! It's fun to get the thoughts of people from overseas. Thanks! PS: We didn't all vote for Bush!