New horse... Crazy dad

Hi caecal!! I see that you like horses...but wait your dad bought a percheron for only a dollar??? $1? Anyway, "mike" indeed is an aggressive horse! Can't imagine how big and dominating this horse can be, but your dad like him...maybe because he see something in him that makes him special. Who knows mike is a great horse that can actually compete for racing?lol...Well I really hope your dad made a great choice! Happy mylotting!

Wow Mike sounds like he's a hand full. As many know Percherons are built for working. Thus their energy level can be quite high and if they get bored they will get into trouble. It sounds like Mike needs to be taught who's the boss as does our friends Saddlebred/TB Gelding cross named Suede. Mike and Suede have similar personalities it seems LOL. It very well could be that your dad just bonded instantly with Mike and has that emotional connection to him so that's why he thinks Mike is the best horse for him. Ideas to make Mike mind. Mike needs plenty of exercise and a job. He needs to be lunged and/or ridden daily if possible, and I would almost bet he thrives on attention so the more good attention he gets the less bad attention he will need. Percherons are a breed that strive to please because they were bred for working it is in their blood to be and feel useful so make him work and make sure to give him lots of praise when he's doing good. He needs someone who will be firm with him and stand their ground. It sounds like Mike is very food motivated which with larger horses that usually the case so in working with Mike whenever he does good use food in moderation as well as loving for praise. I found an interesting article you might want to read about another Percheron that also had issues. The author of the article seems to be very credible I've read several of his articles. http://en.allexperts.com/q/Horses-Behavior-Issues-3329/2009/7/Behavior-Tripping-Issues-Percheron-1.htm When you say he terrorizes the other animals what do you mean? At the farm that I work at one of the Geldings seems to think he's the heard boss and he doesn't like to allow one of the older Mares in with the herd. He chases her off all the time but when he realizes she's not giving up and he gets tired he'll leave her alone. Again I think much of Mikes behavior is due to boredom,.. If you have a paddock with a run in shed you might try putting him in there instead of the barn where the grain is?

We name it "horse-whispering" based on US traditions and it is a technique to let the horse join you. Even if I am a bloody amateur in this field, I love how our two Norwegian Fjord horses respond. Most of it is, not to do mistakes by body language and to give both sides, horse and man, time to respect and to enjoy each other.

(LOL) That may explain why he only paid one dollar for him! Where is the ‘horse whisperer’ when you need him? It sounds as though your father just fell in love with this horse and I guess if he is prepared to put up with his antics who is to say that he shouldn’t? I wonder if there are any experts who could help with Mike.

I have an escape artist too! Nick is an 20 yr old mustang who can get out of damn near any fenced area. When he had his sidekick, "Dinah" the goat, she used to hold the electric wire down for him to slip between...she has been replaced with a less likely accomplice, "Francis", a 35+ yr old (FREE) quarter horse. It's eased up as Nick got older, which my neighbors are grateful for Mike needs exercise, if you cant lung him or ride him, put him on a walker for an hour morning and evening. Keeping them outside helps alot too. Stall kept critters seem to be more high strung than pasture critters. They were not made to be indoor pets. Best of luck with the new kid!

$1 for a horse???wow!I think your dad's personality jived with the horse.he may have found mike's antics funny.mike is really a good horse.he is just stubborn.