Comments on: Horse bite problem – Bev’s

By: Mary Coles

Mary Coles — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 11:51:08 +0000

Hoping someone can help with my biting problem. I have a 3 month old QH foal who bites every time I touch her. I have been touching her everyday for about 2 weeks ( didn’t have a yard before this and mother wouldn’t let me near her) but apparently she doesn’t like being touched. she is totally fine if I use a pole as I can rub it all over her and it doesn’t bother her. Today she lashed out with both back legs, missed me but got her mother who just kept on eating! The vet put headstall on and wormed her for me when I took mare in to get eye checked a month ago. Headstall needs to be loosened soon but I can’t get anywhere near her head. Any suggestions?

By: sylvie

sylvie — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 17:28:38 +0000

So many good answers and observations and I have not read them all but just one thing I want to add. I think it is a very bad idea to be in the presence of free ranging horses with high value treats like carrots on your person. Even my friendly, calm, extremely well behaved horses get food aggressive and will offer to kick or bite (one another but I’m in the middle) when they know I have treats on me so I never do it. I groom them in a pasture sometimes but I don’t even touch a carrot before doing that because they can smell it on your hands for quite a while. You could take treats in with a lone horse but even then, if it’s a known biter, horsie might bite when the treats run run out. If there are two or more, don’t have them on you and don’t think you are going to parcel them out fairly. When they are cross-tied or in a stall, that’s the time. And biters should probably get their treats from a bucket or the manger, not from your hands.
I am 64, had a long spell of physical disability, and am still doing fine with horses so don’t lose hope. These weren’t the best horses for you to take on but they have no where to go now due to the previous neglect and behavior issues so you are their everything. Time and love will work wonders but you must give extra, extra consideration to safety issues. A book you might find valuable is called “The Body Language of Horses” by Bonnie I forget-her-last-name. I teach newbies about horses on a regular basis and I quite insist that they read it.

By: Jan

Jan — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 00:54:13 +0000

In reply to William M.

Elena
Hi William,
Got a little concerned when I ready that you had a mare whose shoes had been done a year ago.
That could present serious problems. Normally shoes need to be changed and hoofs trimmed every 6-8 weeks.
Please get a farrier out as soon as possible, you could be facing some serious vet bills if her hoofs have been badly damaged by leaving shoes on that long.
She is leaning back because she is in pain.
Good luck I hope she gets relief soon.

By: Elena

Elena — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 23:07:44 +0000

In reply to William M.

Elena
Hi William,
Got a little concerned when I ready that you had a mare whose shoes had been done a year ago.
That could present serious problems. Normally shoes need to be changed and hoofs trimmed every 6-8 weeks.
At 4 she may be needing a trim more often.
Please get a farrier out as soon as possible, you could be facing some serious vet bills if her hoofs have been badly damaged by leaving shoes on that long.
She is leaning back because she is in pain.
Good luck I hope she gets relief soon.

By: Elena

Elena — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 23:05:22 +0000

Hi William,
Got a little concerned when I ready that you had a mare whose shoes had been done a year ago.
That could present serious problems. Normally shoes need to be changed and hoofs trimmed every 6-8 weeks.
At 4 she may be needing a trim more often.
Please get a farrier out as soon as possible, you could be facing some serious vet bills if her hoofs have been badly damaged by leaving shoes on that long.
She is leaning back because she is in pain.
Good luck I hope she gets relief soon.

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 22:09:09 +0000

I’m happy with the synopsis of my comments

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 22:07:20 +0000

I have read all of the comments Start out with a well trained Natural Horsemanship trainer and take lessons at least once a week.All of your current issues and ones to come will be addressed and you will form a strong bond allowing you to solve these issues in most cases. The bumping into your elbow is great …this creates your own space and you are so sorry he keeps bumping into it ! You are on the right track. You have received a number of ideas.

By: Lil Judd

Lil Judd — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 00:18:04 +0000

OK you have a lot of help here with many good points.

My points will be short & to the point.

1. It takes a horse 6 – 8 months to adjust to a new place & feel at home there. (you’ve only had yours 3 & 1 month from what I read)

2. You’ve chosen to rescue two mares. Mares are the leaders of the herd. Establishing hierarchy is important. You will have to get these mares to accept you as top mare. That demands you “earn” that place with them.

3. She could have a pain you hit. You may want to consider having the vet out if you see any indication of pain.

4. Pick up a book on Horse Psychology, with mares that should help you a lot. Also a book on Natural Horsemanship. A lot with horses is about you “listening” to your horses body language.

5. You’re the Lead Mare. You have to be with mares. It may well mean you have to bite back.

Personally I stick to geldings & stallions. I’ve had mares, but geldings & stallions are so much more honest in their temperament.

Good luck with the girls.

By: KELLI NEALE

KELLI NEALE — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 08:30:26 +0000

I am finding this very interesting. I have recently bought a French Warmblood mare after being away from horses for 35years. I have found it rejuvenating and rewarding. I have never owned a mare before and wasn’t looking for one due to their temperament. This one is very respectful and very well trained but still a bit iffy at times. I have had her for nearly 3 months and am amused at the fact that she licks….. when I am doing her front feet she licks my back and my licks my arms and hands when she can. I have given her salt blocks and she still licks! I am convinced she loves me xx

By: Alice Gilbert

Alice Gilbert — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 04:39:04 +0000

Bev, I almost forgot something else. Make sure your saddle in in the right location so it doesn’t punch her back. Please, make sure the edges of the saddle are not turned under but straightened out. The saddle does not go close to the neck but in the middle of her back. Just talk softly to her. Don’t rush her on running until you see how her trot & galloping gait flows. Use a soft touch to her neck. I lean over when I’m in the saddle and pat my horse’s neck and tell her, “That is a good baby girl.” She is 19 yrs. old. But new to me too. We are learning each other. When I groom her, as I brush her down her back and from the side slowly & gently grab her tail to brush it, I whisper, “Baby girl, it’s just me.” She sees it’s me, and continues eating her grain or some grass. I’ve been around horses most of my life 🙂 Have a blessed night.