Are horses normally calm or aggressive in nature?

Answer 1

Horses all have different personalities, and can be aggressive towards or fearful of different things at any given time. Often, aggression stems from fear, and this is usually linked to a bad experience in the past. So, depending on the horse, some may be more fearful than others, just like humans. Some things that they can be fearful of include noisy/loud things or things in motion (plastic bags, cars). A mare can be quite aggressive around her foal and may make moves towards you if you get too close to the foal. Also horses in a semi wild state - by learned behavior of associating food with people, (by being feed or scavenging for food) can act in an aggressive manner if they are not given food, that they can smell. Beware picnics around semi wild horses! Horses are mainly fearful by nature. They are prey animals, and are always on the lookout for danger.

------- Horses are herd animals, most of their reactions are mirrors to the head of the heard, often their person. I would think mostly fearful! horses are mostly lovely creatures!!
Most horses are fearful by nature as they are prey animals, but an Alpha horse and those vying for herd leader can be aggressive with other horses and with their handlers.

Answer 2

Most horses are calm in nature but it also depends on any situation and the type of horse. Horses are herd animals and will follow or move as a group. In the wild they depend on safety in numbers. A stallion will have an aggressive nature when he is with his mares, and sometimes a new mother will be aggressive protecting her young.

Answer 3

It depends on the individual horse, as often training does nothing to a horse's temperament except makes him easier to handle and ride than if he were feral. Horses have varying temperaments that range from sociable to aloof, and some horses are just aggressive and not much can be done about it. Aggressiveness doesn't always come from a lack of socialization, it can come from being spoiled rotten to the point that it's very difficult to cut the bad habit[s] that horse has developed over time.

But as far as temperament is concerned, it can be related to past treatment or if he thinks he's the boss and not you. He either thinks of you as a follower or a leader, and if he sees you as a follower there's a greater chance he's not going to be polite to you and is going to make sure you know he's Top Horse. But, if he knows and understands that you are Top Horse, there's a much greater chance that he will be polite and more easy-going with you, and also respect you. Horses that become the follower are also easier to train and form a partnership with.

A horse often won't automatically become follower when you first meet. Some working in the round pen as a means to "join up" with your horse will be needed to establish a partnership and convince your horse that you are the leader, not him. Consistency with establishing leadership of course goes beyond the round-pen, it starts in the pasture and goes from there to the saddle.

Answer 4

It depends how well the horse is trained. Bombproof is the term if a horse is very polite and is not spooked by anything.