Comments on: Biting raises its ugly head again

By: Ann Speakman

Ann Speakman — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 03:05:03 +0000

In reply to Joy Tyler. my guy gets a little nippy while being groomed or held for the farrier. I've started putting a rub rag through the nose band of his halter. This has helped a lot. Why do you bother your horse while it's eating? Annie Kobza

By: AtaaYJoy Tyler

AtaaYJoy Tyler — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 02:06:23 +0000

Tracey what I meant 2 say was why did u go into the Paddock without a Halter the horse thinks of u as a Predator I spend a lot of time with decentising my horses I use umbrellas streamers plastic bags on a long stick I rub my horse all over I put up umbrellas u nAme it I do it one mistake I c people do in restrain the horse I let him move away eventually he wIll stay with u I show my horses @they come up against a lot of things but if u have your horse trained 2
Move high hindquarters and side pass move the front end we do a lot of ground work before we even mount them as a great horseman said don’t just saddle up and get on llove the stories saddle congratlions Joy tyler Loftus NSW

By: Drew H

Drew H — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 23:32:28 +0000

Horses don’t know how to go to war.
Horses don’t know, also, how to love.

DO the two go hand in hand?

It is always ‘fear & greed’ as the root, whether it be the human or the horse. After that, intensity!

By: Janice Johnson

Janice Johnson — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 13:31:51 +0000

In reply to LEOTHEFOX.

😉 Just join one of the horse trainers like Parelli.com; Clinton Anderson.com, Monty Roberts or Dennis Reis.com. You can find lots more but I like Parelli the best. I have taken lessons with over 20 trainers and still learning; but, you can join Parelli for only $9.95 online with all the problems answered in lessons that still take time and devotion. Check them out. They will give you a month free to try. You have to work with your horse more than once a week to achieve the respect and understanding to achieve this communication. My mare will follow me around without a lead she wants to be with me and pulls cart/western and English. Still working on the finishing and it’s not easy. My mare is dominant and pushy…it’s taken a long time for me to get her respect. Hope you pick a one of the trainers to help you…

By: Alison Willis

Alison Willis — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 06:11:08 +0000

I am a little confused. Modern ethological research by Lucy Rees and others (take a look at Epona TV) have now debunked the Alpha horse myth. Respect is a human concept, there is no need to dominate our horses, rather we should work with them. They know we aren’t horses and we haven’t really much of a hope to be able to communicate with them in their own language as it is so subtle. Horse society is complex and domestic horses are generally kept in conditions that just aren’t natural to them. Scuffles break out because of scarce resources.
Although Natural Horsemanship is a step in the right direction and I have followed those principles with my horse, I have now left the fold for a more science based approach and have taught Bracken with the use of a clicker as a marker, followed by a reward when she does the right thing. She now stands politely and calmly even when my pockets are full of food, never mugs or nips or bites. I would suspect she was in pain or sore if she tried. Giving her choices and rewarding her with something she values has been the key, not dominance, pressure/avoidance learning. Respect is a two way street, she doesn’t need a leader, she needs an understanding, patient partner.

By: Emil Racovita

Emil Racovita — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 03:57:21 +0000

In reply to LEOTHEFOX. The best way you have to understand your horse, second start watching videos, like on You Tube SCEA training Fancy, or Greg Cox, read magazines like Horse & Rider, The trail Rider, Equus, Horse Ilustrated, and are many books . That way I learned.Remember I am over 60 and in 2010 I started to ride horses, and in 2011 I had my first horse, she is a TW. And spend a lot of time on ground work

By: Pauline

Pauline — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 00:37:02 +0000

The horse I learned on 30 years ago bit, kicked and bucked. He never succeeded in getting me on any count, though he did take off with me in the snow and try to throw me into a freezing filthy duck pond one February. I think I was lucky in that I had a stronger will to stay on than he had to get me off! I always carried a crop. I never had any intention of using it! He just had to be able to see it was there when he turned round and I could see he was assessing whether he might risk taking a chunk out of my leg! He taught me very well! I think he was basically a joker testing me to see how dominant he could be. He did get a lot of people off! You need to learn to be the leader as even the nicest horse can be dangerous if you are not, but being the leader never means using any kind of weapon.

By: Debra

Debra — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 23:19:29 +0000

I have a filly coming on 2 years old that is totally deaf. I have attempted to work her in a round pen but need training suggestions as the regular clicking and kissing cannot work.

By: Ron May

Ron May — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:13:12 +0000

In reply to LEOTHEFOX. I was having trouble with a 15yr old mare I bought 1yr ago. She just wouldn't do anything I wanted. I was to the point of getting rid of her or paying a trainer $500. I decided she was worth the effort so bit the bullet and paid for some training. Turns out my mare was well trained but had been unhandled for so long she was used to having her way. The trainer refreshed her skills and also taught me how to manage her better. It was well worth every penny! I now have an intelligent alpha mare who is mutually respectful and I have the training as well on how to keep her that way. Go for the training! You will be glad you did and many trainers are willing to work with you on payment.

By: Carol Fleer

Carol Fleer — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 19:57:55 +0000

Fiona,
A quick thought here. 6 years is a long time for this behavior to go on no matter what your pony’s bad experience was. I am thinking maybe you need to let go of his bad experience so he can too.
One suggestion off the top of my head is trying circles when he ‘cues’ you that this is about to happen. Walking down the track, when you ‘feel’ his cue…circle. This will distract him from his intention to act out. He will likely catch on to the same circle all the time so then you make then different….circle a figure 8, surpinetines, don’t let him anticipate you or you will lose the distraction effect. This is also a good way to let him know you are in control which supports your alpha status & will help him feel safe.
Carol