Had a rather scary experience today, well I was more concerned about my elderly relative more than anything as it seriously shook her up.

We were passing the farm as we always do while on a little walk, and the horse that we’ve seen many times was there, he is huge and the fence really is not very high . Normally he is very placid.

But today he went crazy! Galloping around in circles really fastly then charging at the fence as if he was about to jump, making odd noises etc. He was like a bull about to charge and really nasty!

My elderly relative was afraid too come back that way! And was wondering if it was the bags or her stick that set him off? But he has never been like this before. Maybe the poor thing has been teased by children.

Either way I think it should be put into a field with a bigger fence!

The horse was playing!! The noise he was making is said to be heard miles and miles away, its him challenging other horses in the area.

By the sounds of it, it was not aggressive behaviour and he wouldn't have jumped the fence. When they jump out of fields they tend to be alot more discreet!!!! and quietly pop over it yo graze the grass in the next door field.

Bless your elderly relative theres nothing to be afraid of!!

Or the horse was being aggressive, unless you were there you cannot know.

Look for whether his ears were laid back or whether his head was low. If a horse is going to bite it goes in with the head held more level with the back. Plus I've never seen a horse attack a human while advertising the fact noisily
Did he ran up to you and then spin round so as to be able to kick you?
Or go up on his back legs and try and strike you with the front legs?

(Yeah, ok , I've dealt with a few nasty individuals in my time)

Sounds like he was just playing silly buggers with the sun on his back. Has he got a companion in the field?

Take him some carrots next time and give him a bit of fuss if he's on his own. He'd appreciate the company and they do get bored.

I'm not much of a horse fan, but even I would have to say it sounds like play. I walk the dogs through a field of horses. There are a couple there that do this a lot. I, the dogs and all the other horses ignore them.

So far so good.......

A horse pulled a knife on me once ..... think he was a bit drunk though, it was late on a Friday night.

Muttered something about giving him my trainers.

Thankfully, a police car drove past at this point and frightened him and he ran off.

Freaked me out ..... let me tell you.

he was letting off steam, probably after a bucket full of oats. Our horses do a few circles and buck their way round the field every morning . We just keep out of the way.

The most common aggression from a horse will be turning its back on you and kicking out from behind.

*nods* me too, some right stroppy buggers.
the ears or his position are a good indication as you said.

If he was pissed then really I think you'd know, they look evil.

I can see why it might seem a bit frightening though, my mum is terrified of horses and whatever they do she thinks they are looking at her funny and out to get her.

mj2007 - I would bet a lot of money on the fact!!!!

I work with them 7 days a week and keep my own and trust me the horse was playing around :')

Thank you for the replies everyone

A good bit of insight there! Shall take that advice and won't be nervous in walking past the field now if he is behaving in that way again!

I really thought he was about to jump that fence, trample me and that would be it!

& I'd stroked him only a few day's before

Anyway Thanks again!

The only time a saw a horse being aggressive was when she was with her kids.
A friend of mine went to pat her and she took a couple of steps away then swung her backside at him. Pretty effective too, sent him flying!

Think you might be getting horses and goats mixed up here .....

Another thing is horses rarely jump when they are not asked, it is very rare for a horse to jump out of his paddock of his own accord. Horses are not natural jumpers and most horses would avoid something rather than jump it, so please don't worry about being trampled. As everyone else has said the horse was probably just having a run around ive never seen a horse waste so much effort to be nasty, it would have just stood there with its ears back and went to bite you if you got to close. Someone mentioned it above most horses who are going to bite look like they are going to bite so im sure you don't have anything to worry about.

If you notice next time that the horse does have its ears pinned back (not just facing back but right back agaisnt its head) and doesnt look to friendly then leave it alone and just walk past. Im sure if you take a carrot or polo and give it to the horse hel be just as friendly as he was the first time you stroked him

Ah thanks.

I'm glad I did get it wrong and everyone thinks he was having a run around, he must just have gotten very lively suddenly!

My relative is still to scared to walk past, I think she's off Horses for life now, bless her!

I shall indeed take a carrot or two next time so he knows I'm no threat to him