Harvey dissed: Harrumpf!

Last Saturday Bob and I went to see Harv. When we arrived, we found a gaggle of boarders standing around his stall. Harv had been left in his stall while other horses were turned out. His turnout partner was being ridden, and his outside time was delayed by an hour or so. He was none too happy and was:

• reaching out his dutch door to bite the rear ends of passing horses
• head butting people who get too close
• Bellowing loudly
  
• Rushing against the stall bars

Two or three boarders began joking about his obnoxious behavior; it sounded like this was not an isolated incident. I stood sheepishly as my barn mates regaled me with stories of Harv's naughtiness. "He sounds like a moose!" "His ears are flat against his head!" He bares his teeth!" "He's really pissed off!"

I pulled him out of the stall and put him in cross ties, hoping he would calm down. He did, especially when Bob gave him an apple, and within a few moments he was looking rather mild. One boarder, a woman I don't know well, was grooming her horse nearby. She had not joined in the friendly scolding. She was walking past Harvey with her grooming box, and as she passed him and he reached out to touch her with his nose. It looked like your basic "treat check" to me, but technically he was being fresh.

This woman recoiled as if he'd given her an electric shock, and she angrily exclaimed "Stop that!" She held her hand up as if she expected him to lunge at her. The emotion in her voice disturbed me -- it was as if she'd reached her wits end. Had Harv done something to this woman or to her horse? Her mare is around the corner from Harv but they would not normally cross paths.

So what's up with this lady? She must have overheard us talking. I suspect part of her reaction to demonstrate that not everyone thinks bad manners is funny. I chose not to say anything to her. Harv and I went out and had a good ride.

Update: This happened last week and I have to admit it cast a shadow over my day. I never thought of Harv as a "problem horse" but clearly he had been naughty enough to generate barn buzz. I'd been letting him have his way a lot, reasoning that he's an old codger and entitled to be grumpy. Time for some anger management and a chain over the nose for corrective action. This Saturday I ran into the same boarder who had reacted so strongly to Harv's nudge. She was friendly to Bob and I, and she gave Harv a carrot. So I guess this little incident has blown over. Thank goodness.