Kill Pen Mustang Part 19 Why Does She Swish Her Tail?

Swishy tail is a sign of anxiety. This video is about trying to find the source of her anxiety.

[audreygregis]

I'm a huge proponent of chiropractic work, because I've had a horse with her backend out, among other things. It was bad. That would be my first go to. When she bends, her tail swishes. Could be her back end, could be a rib out, even neck out. Also my chiro has said many chiros don't catch the sternum being out, nor know how to adjust it. My Mustang's sternum was out, and my previous chiro never ever adjusted that. Just my 2 cents. :)

[jimmyyounger]

Easy to see she's bothered, but hard to read a horse's mind. My sense about this boils down to her being green and she hasn't yet developed a work ethic. "Work ethic" meaning willingness to participate in things she didn't choose for herself. As you said, she's willful - prefers to run her own show. So it might be helpful to set up some "Easter Egg Hunts" away from the barn. You can start by guiding her at the walk, something she appears to be fine with, and use your cues to circle and steer her to a hidden treat you've planted ahead of the ride. Repeat this over several days, guiding her to new destinations where the treat has been placed. Once she's picked up on the idea that following your cues isn't work to be anxious or unhappy about, but guidance to a reward with a bit of rest and praise, that work becomes as much her idea as yours to find these rewards. Avoid hiding the Easter Eggs in the same place, or much like a barn sour horse, you're merely a pack load because the horse always knows the way back to the barn. Or in this case, the way to the treat if it's always in the same location. And like kids at an Easter Egg hunt, there's usually more than one egg, which creates a reason to stay engaged with the partner who knows where the treats are. I don't think her tail swishing in response to your leg or being asked to trot is anything more than resistance to the extra work of the pace and paying attention to cues. She's already come a long way! Good luck with whatever strategy you might choose to sort out this issue.

[dustyjean]

My gelding acts just like this dominant bully in the herd very willful blows up like her gets bronco and helicopter tail with leg or asked to do something he doesn't want to do. I think it's defiance and attitude on display. Looking for solutions myself. Groundwork helps but doesn't solve it permanently, constant battle of the wills tests and dumps other riders. I do circles like you and won't let him buck although he'd like to.

[BudGilbert-mo]

From watching the video a couple of times, i would suggest a trail ride. My thoughts here are to get her mind off of the small things that seem to be bothering her. I know that with your experience in the Middle East with Arabians you are probably aware of the strong bonding ability that mares will take on with their human caretakers. If an Arabian mare doesn`t connect with their human rider, the overall riding experience usually does not go well. This mare, at times, seems to be a little bratish. Sometimes mares are just that sensitive. Riding outside could get her mind off of acting out and focusing on connecting with her rider. With her background in the wild. This should be a cake walk for her. She just needs to get use to leg pressure while moving..I would ride her in a straight line for a good while giving her ample time to search for her overall balance with you, the rider. Once she feels secure with her locale and overall balance, she should find a little relaxation. If you can get to this point with her, much of her washing machine brain activity {spin cycle} should disappear..

[fallbrkgrl]

My first thought was Warwick Schiller, and, or Josh Nichols.
Both of these gentlemen really get into the mind of the horse, and have found unique ways of making a connection with them, that seems to go a long way with working through issues.
Can't imagine that if you were to reach out to them, that they wouldn't point you in some direction. Mr. Schiller, in particular, is very generous with sharing his thoughts, via free videos, on YouTube. I would even share her story, and see if he would review this video... doesn't hurt to ask😏

[ktantv]

Steve, I am still a student and have no position to comment as an expert but what I see is, I will second Ms. Lynda Campton.
Wardah either feeling extremely energetic or some times horses act like they want to be on a spot that they like more. So, in result they want to finish what they are being asked to do and go to the spot to relax.
I will second to your comment that she wants to go to the barn.

[lyndacompton]

I don't have expertise but it looks like to me bent up energy that needs to be run out run her Like exercise