Why Do Horses Push On People?

This is terrific, very clear. Dogs and toddlers have the same question and the same response. If they don't know who to rely on, they get upset. Consistent gentle leadership makes everyone happy.

Horses play an almost non-existent role in my life however I find this absolutely fascinating! Thanks very much for the video :)

What a kind and loving way to explain the cruelty of giving mixed signals to animals! If we choose to keep animals, it should be with as little stress to them as possible.

Excellent information! Recently got a new schooling horse at our barn. Every time he was taken from his stall, he would crowd the walker (including me!). After deciding (for my own protection) that I wasn't going to allow it, I began responding by just pushing him back firmly but gently, shoulder to shouder. He doesn't do it to me anymore, & is acting more willing/happier when he leaves the stall.

Love this video, I actually say out loud to my horse "don't you move my feet I'm moving yours". It works very well, thanks to your explanation.

THANK YOU! Not because you told me something I already knew, just explained to make sense of what I knew. Not only horses, but as a Falconer, everything from a hawk to a horse wants just a few questions answered of their keeper. All animals! Food, water, shelter, good, now, who are you and who am I? Do we have a relationship? If so, how's this going to work, I need to know! or else, I will have to take charge and set the rules, I can follow or I can lead, WHICH IS IT?!? I know it sounds simple, but the basis is, NO and YES. Animals love that simplicity and will respond to it perfectly IF IT IS CONSTISTANT! Behavior Modification is a science upon itself. Cheers!

Ross thank you for making this video. I absolutely love it. I think it teaches the first and most basic lesson that anybody who wants to be around horses needs to know. When I have non-horse people horse sit for me I make sure they watch this video

Thank you sir. I love the straight forward mellow tone in your message.

Most clear example of what not to do I've seen. I will share. Thanks for the help.

I just found your channel! Yippee!👍🏼😊 22 Sept 2018 I have been struggling with this same problem.😳 Thank you, sir. Now that I have found you, I will certainly return AND I will share this with my friends. Lots of love💖 and appreciation from Louisiana!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Not a horse owner but this is very informative and so good to know. Never know when you'll need it.

I love this video! I showed it to my Husband, Gary . He pet his first Horse for the first time last year . We are older so it’s never too late ! Thanks for a Fun Video with so much wisdom. 💜🐴 💜 Laura and Bear

Your statement of the stress the horse has over who is in charge is so true. Its so hard to get people to understand that the horse needs us to be in charge to feel safe.

Video brings back a lot of memories, some I didn't totally understand years ago. My dad had some horse work before their farm switched to tractors so he gave me some basic guidance. Establishing you are the boss should be No.1 with any horse before you even ride them. One good way that worked for me was to lead the horse around the yard, switching directions by pushing/pulling the halter. You'll get quick feedback if the horse is going to cooperate or test you. Often during these walks they'd throw their heads into me or rub the halter/bridle really hard on me. For their reward they'd get some chin hair pulled. They couldn't associate it with me because my right hand was under the jaw. Another favorite tactic was to body-crowd me to shove me over, usually to step on my foot. I'd just shove back and add kick to their shin. Don't send hate mail about cruelty blahablah....its far nicer than a kick from another horse. One other technique is using a riding quirt holding it along my left leg so the horse couldn't see it. If he/she didn't respond to the first method above, I'd flick my hand/wrist BEHIND MY BACK to whack their belly. The flapper noise and the belly tap don't come close to "injuring" a horse but they do not like the combination. Again they are not associating you with the discomfort, just a cause-effect of their behavior. The last thing you want to do is have a horse that's head shy if they associate your hands with discomfort. But the other last thing you want is a horse that shoves you around mentally or physically. Horses don't have a strong desire to please like a dog, especially Border Collies, so they can be a handful. More than a handful if a horse has been allowed to get away with undesirable behavior from a previous owner.

Thanks Ross, answering lots of questions for me today through your videos. Thank you.

As a kid, I once found myself in a field of horses- and I was afraid! They were at one end of the field, me at the other, but they began moving towards me. I didn't run, but walked pretty quickly to an opening into another field, to escape them, all the while, they were gaining ground on me! Before I could get away, the leader reached me and began pushing me - I was so afraid of what might happen, but all he did was to continue pushing me until I reached the exit of the field - they could have followed me into the next field but didn't, much to my relief! My interpretation of their behaviour was that they may have been curious at first, perhaps hoping I had something for them to eat, then once they'd established that I had nothing to offer them, they firmly escorted me off the premises - I was in no doubt that I was an unwelcome trespasser in their territory as the horse continued to firmly push me out of their field!

had no sound but caption got most of your message. Thank you , you make sense to me. I love horses, I get to be around other peoples horses and this is helpful.

I revisited this video again today. I have a yearling in the heard! My first baby! I REALLY think you would be proud of me! I really do! I have a tiny channel for family members so they can see what's going on. I'm doing ok. Good bless and thank you SO MUCH for your wise videos. Your a EXCELLENT Teacher! Good bless you and yours!💜🐎💜🌿🌲🌿💜🐎💜

Mr. Jacobs, you appear to have very good horse since. It's obvious you know your way around horses. Not only that, but your voice is very soothing, and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the horse world! People need to learn the correct way to deal with these beautiful creatures, not only to benefit themselves, but more importantly, their horses. God Bless

The trainers tell me that I have the pushiest horse they have ever seen. Now I understand his confusion. We've been working with him, but probably not consistently enough. I hope this video helps us with his future confidence in us. I am definitely subscribing to this horse trainer so I can learn more. I'm the kind of person who needs to understand clearly what I'm supposed to do too! Just like the horse. A good explanation makes a better foundation.