We are assuming that the horse is allowed to pass through the gate at feeding time to go into a stall or paddock to eat. The horse’s behavior suggests that it has decided it is the dominant member of the horse/human partnership, and if the horse is left uncorrected, it will begin bullying its way through other activities such as leading and riding. The simple way to prevent, and reform, the behavior is to halter the horse in the pasture with the gate closed and then open and lead him through the gate. Prepare the horse prior to opening the gate by doing some basic leading maneuvers in the pasture, such as walk, trot, stop and back up, so that the horse knows it is haltered and that you are in charge. Be ready to hold onto and correct the horse if it still makes a sudden break for freedom when you open the gate (a chain lead shank with the chain run over the horse’s nose may be necessary). Also remember to reward the horse for calm behavior. Many horses that like to bully their way through gates and rip away from their handlers at turnout time become model citizens if they know a treat is available for quiet behavior. Also make sure that the gate is opened far enough so that the horse can easily pass through it without hitting its sides or hips. Some horses actually rush through gates out of fear of hitting themselves, although this does not sound like it is the problem in your case. If this does not work, round pen training in which you re-establish the human’s dominant relationship with the horse is needed. There are numerous good videos describing this method of training available to horse owners.

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