Thanks Laura, it certainly works and I have used it on all my horses. I like it as it is not cruel or mean, it is just a lesson on who is the leader, horses are not silly they soon learn to accept you as the alpha and they hate to be forced away from you, they want to be with you and want your approval. I have had excellent results in particular when a 3 year old filly (I had just rescured) refused to allow her hooves to be lifted and trimmed (I do my own) – she kept pulling her front hoof away and stamping it down defiantly and would kick with her hind – so into the round yard she went and around she went – then I stopped her and walked to her – she chose to follow me to the centre where I continued to do her hooves without a headstall, halter or lead – the moment she attempted to pull her hoof away around the yard she went again – then repeated the walk to the centre and resumed hooves – after the third try she stood as if she was asleep and I did all four hooves with out a flinch – as I said with out any halter etc, she just stood there like a statue – she has never been a problem since and is now around 6 years old. It certainly works a treat and I have used it many many times. What I will say though is that being the Alpha is a huge responsibility and must be taken seriously – your horse has chosen you and you must look after them – even down to being careful where you ride them, a simple thing like walking them on a grass verge rather than up the middle of a gravel road makes a big differenc to a horse. Trish

Trish, Thanks for that very helpful and comprehensive answer. Being the alpha is an issue I face with my horse too. Have been riding her almost 10 years and I believe she trusts me, but doesn’t respect me. I’ve had the same concern about wanting to be alpha, but without hurting her. Your method makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

You hit the nail right on the head – he thinks he is the alpha over the others and YOU too – never allow him to do this – you have to be the alpha person – react immediately by raising your energy and slapping him hard on the neck if he bites again. In the mean time, get this horse in a round yard and work him – I have written about this technique before – no headstall, halter or lead on horse – no whip or lead or anything with you – raise your energy and chase him around the round yard till he canters if possible – make sure you block him and send him the other way when you want him to – don’t allow him to choose his direction ever – if he chooses a direction block him and make him go the other way. He may be very surprised by this and react quite a bit but you must keep doing it. Then once you have his undivided attention lower your energy, say Whoa loudish, look down to the ground and back off. He should stop and look at you, if he does not, then keep chasing him and putting pressure on him to go where you want. Then repeat lowered energy, Whoa, back off and eyes down. When he has stopped (should be immediate – not when he feels like it) and is looking at you, keep your eyes down and walk to his shoulder – any resistance from him and you raise your enery and work him again – when you walk ahead he should walk with you, if he doesn’t then around he goes again – until he chooses you as the alpha and follows you around the yard with out a headstall, halter or lead. Once he follows you, stop and rub him all over, every inch – if he wont stand while you do this, then, yes you guessed it – work him again and repeat the whole process. Any horse that accepts you as the leader/alpha would never dream of biting you. The other thing is that when he bites you now, he is giving you a warning – in his current position as Alpha if you don’t obey he is likely to attack you. Work this horse – do not be cruel and run him for hours – just till he does what you ask. You may have to repeat the round yard procedure a few times. Hope this helps, Trish