Hmmm, ER visit last night...

[sarhound]

Courtesy of Charlie, the grumpy Appy. He's lucky that I didn't plant him in the ground...

We had a cold front blowing in around 9 pm. I had just gotten home and went out to check on all the boys--they were lined up at the fence, and Charlie actually called to me. They were all spooky, which should have been my first warning.

I greeted Charlie and Stitch; Chico came up, and Charlie swung around on him, flattening his ears and baring his teeth. I told him to knock it off, went over to check Chico, then came back to Charlie. Next thing I knew, he lit into me--grabbed my right hand in his teeth and chomped down with intent to maim.

I have a high pain tolerance, but this one took me to my knees. I must have screamed, because the next thing I knew, Deputyhound was running across the yard and scraped me up from the ground. I didn't know how badly I was hurt, but by the time he got me to my feet, I was madder than hell. I crawled into the pasture and went after Charlie-- if I had caught him, I really don't know who would have won the encounter. I did manage to make him do a few laps at top speed before the pain got so bad that I nearly collapsed again. DH extracted me from the pasture; by that time, Charlie had come back up to the fence and had a look in his eye that said, "Uh, oh, I think something really bad just happened here."

I didn't want to go, but I got dragged to the ER for Xrays and wound up with a tetanus shot, to boot. No bones broken, but the wounds on my hand are starting to look like they're going to infect. Now I get to do the antibiotic routine.

This is his third strike. He's been good for about a year now, but if he does this one more time, he's history. I am not going to tolerate a horse that bites first and asks questions later. We'll see when I get home today what kind of mood he's in...he'd better have done a 180 degree turnaround in his attitude.

There are days when I wonder why I continue to put myself in the line of fire...:nono:

[WashingtonBay]

Yikes. Sorry.... are you going to share pictures of the hand? or is it all bandaged up?

[HeartofSteel]

Uh oh, I'm so glad you are ok! That must have hurt the crazy though!
Sorry I can't help but giggle a little since his name is Charlie and there's that video "Charlie bit my finger" that is all over youtube! It's hilarious ;)

[lovesfortune]

Eek! Glad there are no broken bones, but it definitely sounds awful!!

[Sundays Man]

Man, sorry about the pain and stuff. I must commend you on your restraint. I probably would have gone and gotten my jeep and paid a visit to him. I can imagine how angry that must have made you. Sounds like he has some serious respect issues or something.

I hope you heal fast and with no lingering problems.

[starkitten]

Ouch :( I hope you get to feeling better soon. I have never been bitten like that by a horse before - I can't even imagine the pain - yikes :(

[FoxFireEMT]

Yay that does sound very painful! I'm sorry you had to deal w/ that. I can't imagine how that felt. I know how bad it felt when my thumb got accidently bit when I was a wee one! Hope it does not get infected! Sending healing vibes your way!

[Equine_Woman]

Oh ouch!!! I've never met a biter. That takes a lot of dominance to do to a human. I'm sorry! I hope your hand heals quickly. And I hope it is the last time Charlie does that.

[vicklynn]

I am sorry about your pain. I sure hope an infection does not sit in.

Myst used to get ticked and City and strike out, until she hit my hard enough one day.
I dont like biters either, thats a huge NO NO.

[Vegashorselady]

Wow, how scary. I'm glad your hand is going to be ok. I think when it comes to Charlie you have to keep yourself safe. It's not worth the risk of getting hurt, it could be worse if there ever is a next time.

[Gypsy Rose]

Ouch! That must have hurt! I don't think I could have tolerated a second time- you're braver than I am! Hope you heal up quickly!

[PoniesRock101]

Ouch! hopes its not infected! feel better soon.

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

Ouch!! That had to hurt!!! Geeez!! What up with the horse? What were the other 2 strikes?

Hope it heals quickly.

[Ranger44]

Just like everyone else has said, Ouch! I hope you heal fast with no infection. Good luck with Charlie!

[IrisGreen]

Ohh man that sounds like it would hurt!! So, sorry this happened again.

Is Charlie the dominant gelding in the group? From your explanation it sounds like he was trying to put Chico in his place and you stopped him in the middle of it and he didn't like that and put you in your place.

I don't know much about horses and there herd mentality. Muffin is my first horse and he is by himself in the back yard. But, I do know how dogs are in packs and how they work out there alpha ranks.

Sounds like he needs round pen work and to be shown you are the dominant one over him. Not just running in circles, I mean focused training to turn, stop and change gates on command when commanded no exceptions. Make him know you are the boss and he will do as you say and move where you want him too. Just like he made Chico move away by penning his ears and showing his teeth, you make Charlie move on your command and do what you ask.

What about putting a muzzle on him for a little while? Take his freedom to bit away from him for a while? This might make him a little more submissive or it might not depending on how dominant he is over the other horses and his view about where you are in his pecking order.

I would definitely work on round penning, in a controlled session that has direct directions, stops, turns and gate cues. Make it a demand to move as you want not just running in circles. This gets them back in line when you push them around and make them move as they would being dominant over another horse.

I sure hope your hand heals up and doesn't get infected. I would be interested to see how or where he cut the skin. You are so lucky he didn't brake a bone. I figured he must have when I was reading your story.

Take this as the last strike and once your hand is healed get him to respect you and have a healthy fear of what disrespecting you can get him! I don't mean beat him (of course you all know that) I mean a healthy fear of what you can or will make him do if he challenges or disrespects you again thinking he is dominant over you.

I have to make sure I have a very clear relationship with Muffin and there are no questions as to what I would do if he intentionally hurt me. He is a Stallion and he knows his boundary's and what I do not allow. He has a healthy fear of what I could do if he really ticked me off so he doesn't even try and even pouts when he is in trouble. I have never had to really get on to Muffin for anything major because I don't tolerate the little things that can lead to him thinking he can challenge or take dominance over me. He pouts if you just tell him no or to go away. lol But, I guess it's easier because he is the only horse.

I hope you can get it worked out. That's just not fun having a horse you can't trust not to bit you. I hope what I have typed might help. I'm no expert but he does need an attitude ajustment but you already know that.

[JetLagaside]

Wow sorry to hear that hope the healing happens quickly without an infection.

[jeezitsjacki]

oh no that sounds really painful.. hope you are doing ok

[CountryGirls Litl Riders]

I'm so sorry.:(

[Annasmom]

O dear :huh:

[shynbvs]

Ouch! i hope i never have to deal w. a biter, but im sure it will happen

[MileHighOlli]

OUCH! Good wishes for a quick recovery. One thing I cannot tolerate is a biting horse!