Aggressive behaviour, please help!

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Footlights

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I knew horse was nippy when I got him, combination of being gelded late and an ex racer (although I'm not generalising). He tends to pin his ears back and bite when he feels threatened, and although it is aggressive behaviour I don't think he does it because he is being nasty, it's a defence mechanism.

There are two situations that always get this reaction from him:

First is when I catch him, he will walk up to me and let me put the headcollar on, but when I put strap over his poll to do it up he tries to bite me.

Second is once he is tied up and happily munching on hay, if I walk up to him facing his side he pins his ears right back and pulls funny faces and threatens to bite, but he will let me touch him all over no problems, it's just when I walk up to him.

I don't know how to deal with this or how firm to be with him, I don't want him to feel further threatened by me, but at the same time I don't want him to think this is acceptable behaviour.
 
Does he show any signs of agression if you touch him around poll area of around his face? is this just something he does as you approach..like a warning face?

How is he about his ears? can you touch his ears without him getting upset?
 
Growl.....we have a TB who would be terrible when rugging or brushing his sides, he would turn and threaten to bite and occasionally made contact with his teeth. I found that by growling at him immediately he started to move his head towards me quickly put him off. I did the same when fastening leg straps and he threatened to kick, again he quickly learned to just not bother. You could also push his face away from you if the situation allows, try holding it away and not allowing him to look at you for a few seconds before carrying on as normal.
 
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Once I am touching him he is ok, it's just as I approach him from his side, or from behind. He won't pin his ears back if I walk towards him facing his head.

I will try growling and pushing his head away from me for a few seconds and see what he does. I do find that if I make any sudden movements when he is making 'the face' he genuinely looks scared which provokes him more. I do wonder if he has been hit in the past.
 
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Some horses appear aggressive, even when there not.
My lad always has ears well back, head low, really grumpy looking, with him it's all bluff, coming in from the field, being tacked up, being fed, it's all bluff.
Our old TB on the otherhand would nip when tightening the girth, or grooming his tummy, my OH didn't get that reaction but told Ozz off often enough for trying to bite me, I loved that horse but he prefered my OH and put up with me, the new mare is very much a womans horse and ignores my OH, but tries hard to please me, I always get a welcome whinny
 
You could change the pattern with putting his headcollar on. If you normally put the noseband on then flick the strap over his head, try an alternative. Hold the halter in your left hand as you approach, and when you get to him stroke him and put your right arm over his neck. Put your hands together under his neck so that you can get hold of the strap that goes over his ears in your right hand, then bring the noseband up over his nose from underneath. Then you already have the strap ready in your right hand, and the buckle side in your left, to do the buckle up.
You're probably right, he probably just feels defensive and like he needs to warn you.
 
Reading this again, I wonder how long you have had your boy, is he relatively new to you? If this is the case it could just be he is still settling in and not quite 100% with you yet, it also may just be harmless quirkiness that won't ever go away given his history. As an ex racehorse he will understand the word 'no' I am sure, so it could be that you just need to talk to him on approach and tell him no if he does anything inappropriate. As he becomes more secure about you being close to his 'sensitive' areas hopefully it will all settle down but you will feel more confident as you get used to his quirks.
 
If you are sure that the issues are not pain related or anything to do with his vision, which could explained the surprised look if if has am impaired or blind spot, then a swift tap on the shin with the side of your foot when he tries to bite you can work. Timing is important but if won't connect you with the discomfort to his leg just that it happens when his behaviour is undesirable. You are unlikely to hurt or damage him as im sure they bash their legs much harder if they catch a jump pole.
 
Op, is he actually trying to bite you or just looking as if he might? As said above, a lot of horses pull faces. Is there really a need to do anything other than ignore it, or maybe try a couple of things differently to see if it changes how he feels?
 
My reccomendation is to do a level 1 beginner Parelli course!!! It was amazing the difference in both me and my horse before morning tea on day one!! My pushy dominant horse became a co-operative partner in that short time.......and I didn't spend thousands on dvds!!!
 
Thanks for all the great advice. Yes he is very new and he is still getting used to me, but I dont want this to become habit.

It isnt just faces, it is a warning that he is going to bite, and sometimes he does. When I first got him I had big bruises on my arms. He hasn't actually bitten me properly for a while though - but i don't know whether this because I am more aware and don't give him the chance any more.

Can you explain what Pirelli level 1 consists of? I have never looked into it before. Thanks.
 
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