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Corinna Sours
| | Posted on Monday, Feb 14, 2000 - 10:12 pm: |   |
Thanks for all the advice. I picked up a few books this weekend. In a young horse is biting common and how do you handle it? |
Jordana Meisner
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 15, 2000 - 12:29 pm: | |
Corinna - you are just a couple steps behind me! While not my first horse, Presario is my first baby, and we are just getting over his "gotta put EVERYTHING in my mouth and bite" stage. He will be 2 March 27. What breed is your filly? Rio is an Oldenburg, and being a warmblood, I have had to approach discipline a little differently. The method I would have used on my TB (who is not mouthy at all, but had he been) would have been to thump him on the chin while continuing to do what I was doing, not making a big deal of it, just making it annoying to him. I tried that with Rio, and he thought that was a cool game! I tried methods such as making a loud noise to distract him the instant he thought about it, but he'd check out the noise while continuing to put "it" in his mouth. I tried giving him something else to do, but that wasn't alway feasible. So, when he tried to put something of or on my body in his mouth, very non-chalantly I take my thumb knuckle and pop pretty hard under his chin - sometimes his teeth click! It doesn't hurt him, but it sure has given him longer and longer pause before trying again.
Whatever you do, try the least obtrusive thing first. I think my guy started this as he was teething, and given your filly is about 3 months behind mine, that may be about the right time for you too. It's very common. Hopefully she's "biting" out of some need to have something in her mouth and not out of aggression. If it's aggression, then the next time she does this, in the words of John Lyons, which I really like, you have "3 minutes in which to kill the horse". The rule is no hitting the head. Once the 3 minutes are over, tell her you still love her, go on about your business, and don't hold a grudge.
What books did you pick up? If "Lyons on Horses" was one of them, he addresses this issue. Let us know how you progress! |
Zoe English
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 15, 2000 - 4:34 pm: | |
Jordana--good advice, except the John Lyons rule is three SECONDS to kill the horse, not minutes. He also recommends when the horse gets nippy cupping the muzzle in your hands and rubbing firmly to the point where he is sick of you touching him and will back off. This worked with my friend's gelding who was a real biter.
Good to see you on this board.
Zoe |
Corinna Sours
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 15, 2000 - 6:30 pm: | |
I will try your suggestions out. The only problem is now I feel a little apprehensive about being around her. She hasn't actually bit me yet. She tried and the friend of mine who's stabling her for me intervened. I didn't even realize what was going on. I've been around horses just not young ones. It's a learning process for both of us. I purchased 2 books one was on general care and grooming and the other one is called "A Horse Around the House" by Patricia Jacobson and Marcia Hayes. I am just getting started on it. |
Jordana Meisner
| | Posted on Friday, Feb 18, 2000 - 3:06 pm: | |
Zoe - Yikes, what a typo! SECONDS is what I meant, not MINUTES! Thanks for pointing that out!
I actually tried that "cupping" thing with Rio, and he just thought that was fun. So, you just have to try different things to see what works and what doesn't. |
Corinna Sours
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 20, 2000 - 6:46 pm: | |
I purchased the book by John Lyons and I am impressed with what I've read so far. Thanks to all of you for recomending it. I think it will help me and my new horse become well trained individuals. :) |
Glenn Chambers (Thumper)
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 8, 2000 - 10:14 pm: | |
I have broken my six month old filly from biting. She would nip me when brushing her or when working with her feet. All I do is GENTLY kicking her shin or coronet. After about ten times she reached around to bite and then looked down at her leg and has not bitten since. One thing for sure is NOT to hit them on the nose. Good Luck |
sandy mendez (Fredy)
| | Posted on Sunday, Oct 14, 2001 - 8:20 pm: | |
I have a 19 month old stud colt, he knows how to lung and is driving pretty well. He has know picked up the habit of bitting as well, but only when I lead him, he tries leaning into me (crowding) and then tries to bit and then immediately pulls back knowing he is wrong when biting, but continues to do so, and several times after he tries to bit pulls back and tries to rear. Does anyone have any suggestions? My first thought too was that he was teething but he only tries this when I am leading him, not brushing him or when he is in the stall. If anyone could help I would sure appreciate it. sandy Mendez |
Dawn Friesen (Dartanyn)
| | Posted on Sunday, Oct 14, 2001 - 10:24 pm: | |
My horse as a 2 year old started doing the crowding up to my side and nipped in my direction. Since he is large, these were at shoulder height. When I would turn to address him, he'd back and go into a rear! I implemented a couple of things to control and curb this behavior - that seemed tied up with his age and breed as well. I had the lead line all in one hand and would at first try to gently redirect his attention by brushing his legs with the excess. If he failed to pay attention to that, and eventually he did, I took to slapping the excess line along my leg just before he'd try to nip (which meant I had to pay careful attention to him), this had alot more success and has become something I rarely need to do now; but, remember, youngsters are work! The rearing he did just a couple of times before I realized that with his size and weight it had to be known as a completely unacceptable behavior with me around. I had to wait for the next time he'd do it - and then, like in a post above - I gave him 3 seconds of: "I don't need you to live on this planet, I'm gonna let you back yourself right off this cliff if you do that one more time" coupled with walking right square towards his chest area. He was quite convinced that I would do just that, and pre-empts himself now. I did not beat him; just acquired an extremely aggressive stance and tone. I hope this might help you....just a thought and my own experience. Dawn  |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 15, 2001 - 7:11 am: | |
hello Sandy,
For young stud colts that nip at the hand that leads them I have a little trick that has worked for me and otheres consistently for a description see, Training Horses: Behavioral Problems: Aggression in Horses.
DrO |
Lola Sims (Queenbee)
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 15, 2001 - 6:21 pm: | |
I had a similiar problem, an old trainer gave me the trick without it hurting my horse or the horse thinking I was doing it. He had me put a short nail in between my fingers and up close where he usually would nip. when he did so, he himself stuck the nail which did not hurt him but he did it himself. At first I was apprehensive about this but it worked miracles. All it took was a couple times and my getting over the fear that he was going to bite me. He was great after that. Hope this helps |
Liliana Velasco Ariza
New Member
Username: Liliana
Post Number: 2
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, Oct 31, 2002 - 4:06 pm: | |
Hello, I have recently aquired a Stallion and a Mare as their owner had to leave the country, he was never really tought manners but he is not an agresive horse, the mare is the dominant, before he came to me he spent about 8 months with some horrid cruel people who had never had horses and believe that deadly punishment is the answer.
You know tying them up without food or water sort of thing, he has been with me about 10 days and is more manageable, but, he is very nervous and tryes to bite, do you think that I should geld him, or would it be too traumatic for him just righ now. As I said he is not really agresive but, has a tendency to show his teeth!! |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7222
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Nov 1, 2002 - 6:27 am: | |
Hello Liliana,
For young stud colts that nip see, Training Horses: Behavioral Problems: Aggression in Horses.
DrO |
Elizabeth Gillett
New Member
Username: Lizgil
Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004 - 11:48 am: | |
We just bought a 3 yr. old gelding pony last week and he has started biting while we are leading him around. A friend of mine was telling me that her father used to put baling wire around the pony's nose and then up around the ears and then she couldn't remember how the rest attached. The "contraption" is supposed to "bite" the pony when he tries to bite me. Has anyone ever heard of doing this and if you have can you explain to me exactly how to do this? Thanks a lot.
|
Aileen
Member
Username: Sunny66
Post Number: 494
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004 - 11:58 am: | |
Personally, I wouldn't use this "contraption"
Look for Dr. O's information in:
Training Horses: Behavioral Problems: Aggression in Horses. |
Ellie Leo
Member
Username: Skye
Post Number: 59
Registered: 5-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004 - 2:33 pm: | |
Aileen is right, and Dr. O's article is great. One thing he says is this: "One way to achieve consistency is to never put yourself in a position where the horse can take advantage of."
My two-year-old was a nipper/biter. Keeping myself in positions so he couldn't bite me seemed the most effective technique
The more you can be positive with your pony, the happier you and he will be. You two will bond, understand each other, and treat each other well--at least most of the time.
Reward him when he doesn't bite, stay out of positions where he can bite you. You will have always to let him know you are "top horse," but you can do that with firmness and not bother with contraptions or meanness. Dr. O tells you how!
Good luck! |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 334
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004 - 11:13 pm: | |
I've tried the "nail in hand" trick and the colts can usually tell when you have a nail and when you don't. I had a trainer suggest I spit at the horse's nose when he tries to nip. I've tried it on two different colts, and it's worked so far. |
Katrina Turner
Member
Username: Kthorse
Post Number: 267
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004 - 6:34 am: | |
Another thing to try. Have one of those tiny tiny spray bottles, hidden in your hand. when he nips spray his nose with the water bottle. He wont like that and you are not hurting him. He'll get the picture
Katrina |
Fran Cilella
Member
Username: Canter
Post Number: 74
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004 - 7:59 am: | |
I remember attending a Richard Shrake clinic a few years back and his recommendation for a nipping horse was to LIGHTLY bonk the horse under the chin with your fist as soon as he nips. The horse can't see that the "bonk" came from you. As soon as the horse reacts, start rubbing him and talking soothingly to him. The horse learns that he gets "punished" for nipping, but doesn't associate you with it, and by comforting him after, apparently the horse learns to turn to you.
I only tried this once with a gelding that never nipped, but for some reason, as I was trotting him in hand for an injury rehab, he sunk his teeth into my arm (fortunately it was cold & I was wearing heavy clothes, so it didn't puncture skin). I immediately bonked his chin and as he threw up his head I started soothing him and rubbing his face. Worked like a charm--he never tried to nip me again and he didn't become head shy. |
Debbie E
Member
Username: Deggert
Post Number: 45
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004 - 12:49 pm: | |
Hello all
I have read the posts of biting and Dr. O's reccommendations under aggressivie behavior. My 2month old colt is quite a mouthy guy. The babies are so reactive its a fine line from scaring them and just getting their respect. Sometimes he comes over to you looking friendly and submissive, then comes the open mouth bites. The other thing he does when feeling frisky is turns, get just far enough away then both barrels.
I did get him in the butt cheeks with my apple picker to defend myself. He sounds awful but he is a good boy, just full of himself. I know as Dr.O says this is a disrespect thing, how do I discourage with out scaring the life out of him?
PS after the apple picker thing it took some coaxing to get him near me or the picker.
Also, his mom is the mare with a foundered foot and she just stays out of his way, I think she knows she has a disadvantage in terms of mobility so she barely gets after him at all, I think she is happy when he is marauding others (me) on the other side of the pen. Should I try the dressage whip with such a young one? |
Colleen Goolsby
Member
Username: Goolsby
Post Number: 238
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004 - 1:10 pm: | |
Debbie
about that age my colt started doing the same. First the nipping. When I saw it comming I would push his mouth away and give him a verbal repremand. Later he began nipping in a sneaky manner so that you would not know what was comming. I slapped him right on the nose quite a few times just as an uncontrolable reaction to the pain. (I did the same to my 5 yr. old newphew when he bit me on the butt one day, he never did it again). About the time my colt learned not to bite he started the kicking. I did not hesitate to use a whip, or the plastic ball bat I began carrying and let him have it along with a sharp verbal repremand. It did not scare the life out of him, but let him know not to kick. He did managed to nail me twice before this behavior what stopped. |
Debbie E
Member
Username: Deggert
Post Number: 46
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004 - 2:01 pm: | |
Colleen,
Thanks for the tip, I like the plastice baseball bat idea, it doesn't hurt much but makes noise when you slap them. I have a few bruises myself. Gotta love em though. My husband smacks him in the lips and he gets a lot more respect than me although I don't like hitting the face, sometimes its the handiest place. I got a laugh out of the nephew. Thanks again
|
Leilani Clark
Member
Username: Leilani
Post Number: 66
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004 - 2:25 pm: | |
Nerf bats and a new roll of paper towel also works. |
Aileen
Member
Username: Sunny66
Post Number: 496
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004 - 4:02 pm: | |
How about a wiffle ball bat? Loud noise but no pain. |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 438
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 30, 2004 - 4:18 am: | |
Hi, all,
I would like to add a couple of thoughts to DrO's excellent article on the subject.
I believe that the most important thing when reprimanding a horse for biting is that you do it in a "you run into it yourself" fashion.
I have found jabbing them with an elbow to be the easiest, but you may use a whip, your fist, an open hand, whatever, as long as you demonstrate no purpose in your hit.
Hit hard, but make it look accidental, and the horse will not make a game out of it, neither will he become headshy, even if you actually slap him on the face.
Don't look at him in the eye, for instance, before you hit him. That's an attack and he may escalate. Hit him first, then turn and look at him with a big "oops" on your face 
He'll think you're stupid and clumsy with your elbows, but I think you can live with that...
It works the best if you anticipate his move and you catch him before he actually lands his teeth on you, for then you are correcting the very thought of it.
All the best,
Christos |
Debbie E
Member
Username: Deggert
Post Number: 48
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 30, 2004 - 11:24 am: | |
Christos
I think your method is a good one. I have the 2month old colt and this morning I was grooming his mom with brush and fly spray and he of course is right there. He's a brush hog- brush me brush me! Anyway, he was trying to bite me to get my attention while I was grooming so I just wacked him with the brush under the chin, never looked at him or stopped my motions. He didn't leave in a huff he just stayed with a funny expression on his face. After a couple swats he just stayed close hoping I would brush him instead of " brush me or I will bite you.. Don't we anthropomorphise, its such fun. Thanks for your input.
|
Holly Zukowski
Member
Username: Cowgrl
Post Number: 311
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 30, 2004 - 4:09 pm: | |
When my filly would get out of line and try to bite or worse, I would scold her with "bad horse! bad horse!" and she knew right away she messed up. She'd back away with an "I'm sorry!!" look. Of course I couldn't stay mad at her. She learned quickly that certain behaviors were not tolerated without ever laying a hand on her. |
