Comments on: Horse nipping problems

By: Purple Bonnie

Purple Bonnie — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 06:54:19 +0000

In reply to bridget. I would go back to basics..rub her legs above the knee..go to another leg..take each in turn and praise and rub gently go to below the knee..ask for the foot ..when she complies rub above the hock..release!Gradually increase the area you rub and include the hoof briefly..release the foot BEFORE she becomes agitated..She needs to be confident you will not cause her pain and that she will not become trapped on three legs..in order to calm themselves horses move their feet so while you are doing this do NOT tie her up..go into a larger space where she can move and simply follow her till she stands still and relaxes(on a lead rope of course)place your left hand on her break of withers then go to her left front leg..if she moves follow her and repeat..do not reprimand her for moving when she allows you to touch the leg rub the sweet spot and leg together..slide, without removing, your left hand down her back and repeat on the back leg..then go to right side..It is crucial that if she wants her leg back you dont hold on at this stage so be sure to release sooner rather than have this happen as it would be counter-productive..good luck!

By: Purple Bonnie

Purple Bonnie — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 06:20:09 +0000

Great advice from SC (and John Lyons!)2second Borstal works a treat followed by “business as usual”.I attended a serial biting stallion recently whose problem was confidence..after working on the ground -moving his feet and establishing my authority as his herd(of 2) leader he then stood and did his “party piece”(his owners description)which was actually a form of wind sucking!He was stressed at losing his position as boss of the world despite not having the right to the job as he was too young but as he had been kept apart from a herd,he hadn’t had that explained to him by herd leaders..By becoming his herd leader he stopped biting and stressing and was much happier as a result..When you are with your horse in either the stable or the field you should ALWAYS be his leader!

By: sage

sage — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 23:00:54 +0000

i do question if violence is the only way, or is it the only way we know?

zebras are very brutal little equines. having evolved fighting lions to survive, they think nothing of attacking people. parents get them for children, only to find the animals grow to be so vicious one cannot even enter their paddock.

this situation is common that there are zebra rehab stables in the states. clicker/behaviour marker training is used with great success. zebra cannot be smacked or they will attack without inhibitions.

i admit if horses have gotten cheeky with bites in the past i have used some type of physical intimidation as a response, typically with success, but the zebra trainers success rate with an animal in the same family, but a far more violent version suggests to me that violence and intimidation may not be our only options.

By: Marilyn Geib

Marilyn Geib — Fri, 29 May 2015 16:44:44 +0000

After about 2 months of being a perfect gentleman, my new 17 y.o. Quarter horse started nipping and attempting to bite anyone who walked near him.(He had a history of being a competitive jumper and had done a lot of traveling). Finally, after checking with the vet, we treated him for gastric ulcers–28 days of Gastrogard–and the biting has almost stopped. Marilyn

By: ELFREDE

ELFREDE — Thu, 28 May 2015 18:11:31 +0000

Hi guys and Al,
PL some more advise on Jo Ann and Terry’s problem?

Especially Terry, as it is a foal. I start working foals as soon after birth as situation allows…ie bonding.I also use TTellington Touch methods and Natural Horsemanship training. Animal Behaviour training ie positive re – enforcing and reward and HEAPS of gentle patience. Worked so far. Special field of interest is Riding for the Disabled and IHC…individually handicapped children. AMAZING what horses do for these kids!! 😀
😉

By: AJ

AJ — Thu, 28 May 2015 11:17:04 +0000

I work with a quarter horse x Arabian who was known for being aggressive. after the owners threatened to have him put down if his behaviour did not improve I decided to work with him. he would try and bite or kick me any chance he got. I decided to look into his history and I discovered that he had been abused by his previous owner and this made me realise that he did not trust people.
I would sit just outside his stall for hours at a time to get him used to my presence. after a while I started standing outside his stall. the first time I did this he charged at me, ears back and mouth open. all it took to stop him in his tracks was a harsh glare, a raised hand and me saying ‘go on, I dare you.’ in these situations it is important not to give up your “space” [ unless of course the horse doesn’t stop and you could get seriously injured.] he has never charged at me since. He was also known for biting people when they got to close to him. I have found that a swift slap to the shoulder works well. He once tried to bite me whilst I was leading him, I put some pressure on his neck with my elbow and pushed his head away with my hand. If you are leading them and they try and bite you, a swift flick on their nose also works wonders.
Whilst I was brushing his tail one day, I noticed his ears flatten against his head and him raise his back leg to kick me. I slapped him on his backside and yelled “OY!”. I have never had a problem with him kicking me since.

that was two years ago.
After a lot of ground work to gain his trust and to establish that I am in charge, I rode him for the first time a few days ago. He was well behaved and did everything I asked of him.
He has improved so much that a few weeks ago when he was lay down in his stall I was able to walk in and sit next to his head. after greeting me with a few sniffs of my hands he lay his head in my lap and went to sleep.

We have learnt to trust each other and have also become best friends in the process. and I am also happy to say that he is no longer in any danger of being put down for bad behaviour.

AJ 🙂

By: lesley

lesley — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:27:40 +0000

Excellent advice. I do this with my boys if they forget themselves. Real quick he’ll then all forgotten. Brilliant

By: terry

terry — Wed, 27 May 2015 11:10:14 +0000

Hello, how do you correct a 2week old filly? She is list starting to nip,I have slapped her nose when she tires to nip but she is still trying. I don’t want to hurt or make her afraid of me.Thank you correct

By: Kathy Harris

Kathy Harris — Mon, 25 May 2015 22:26:15 +0000

A horse biting at the girth area (boot or not) can be a sign of ulcers, especially if he is a stall kept horse, or competition horse, since they are more prone to ulcers. This may not be the issue, but check out thus video. Very informative and everyone should know this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr05hMmLCY4

By: Jayne Isaacs

Jayne Isaacs — Sun, 24 May 2015 15:52:50 +0000

When I got my paint colt at 2 I had had him a lilover 6 months when I went to feed him (had a older horse I was boarding) I put Franks food down first and was putting Peyotees down when he turned and bucked at me grazing my hand. I round housed himput him back in his pen and he had his moment where he ran thelength of pasture to barn for a few times then when I told him NEVER kick at me again and put his food down he never did anything ever again to this day! he is being road and trail broke and the trainer just adores him and said He is the best horse he has had the pleasure of working with in years and the smartest also!!! But that round house bout killed me for having done it cuz I am not aggressive to ANY animal!