Best way to bond with a new horse?

[Marley&Me]

I have recently go my new boy and I adore him. Only had him a couple of days. So far I have hacked him out (off road) twice and he has been a star.

On the ground he is really sweet too, but he is 5 and so he licks and then nips any bit of available skin. I want him to come up for a fuss but my arms are bruised from the nibbling.

Any ideas on ways to develop a bond with a newbie, and also avoid the nipping?

 

[jcwh]

i do clicker training with mine on the ground, and IF DONE RIGHT it doesn't encourage, but in fact DIScourages nipping/biting especially for treats!

 

[horsevideo]

Congrats on your new horse!

You really need to deal with the nipping right now - he is currently sussing you out to see what kind of owner you are, and if he thinks you will not take charge, he is likely to become harder to handle. It's a classic pattern with new horses, especially youngish ones - they can be easy for a few days or weeks and then turn difficult.

When he goes to nip you, make a very sudden movement, throwing your arms up in the air, or flapping your coat at him, enough that he moves his head out of your space. Then go quiet - and wait for him to try again! After a few repetitions he will stop trying to nip. But he will probably ask again umpteen times before he is convinced that your answer isn't going to change!

Lots of people will advise smacking him, but I've found the "flapping" method much more effective.

The most crucial thing in bonding with a horse IMHO is personal space - he needs to know that you have a personal space "bubble", about arms length around you, and he is not allowed into it (that includes his head, lips, teeth etc). You can still cuddle him, but move into his space instead of letting him come into yours - sounds strange but in horse language it makes a big difference.

Also make sure you move him around, and he doesn't move you - eg if you are standing chatting on the yard, and he steps towards you, do you move out of his way? Better to stay put and move him back out of your space. It's all psychology and if you get it right he will chill out and be a happy well behaved horse.

If he thinks you are unsure of yourself and can be nipped or pushed around, he will be insecure, which will ultimately come out as barging or bad behaviour - because he feels like no one is in charge so it's "every man for himself".

An old trainer of mine used to say "give your horse things to do, or he'll make something up of his own, and you probably won't like it". It's very true, and even if it's jsut stopping and backing up on the way in from the field, or doing wavy lines instead of walking straight ahead, it keeps them busy and they don't get to think up new tricks! (Of course everyone will think you are drunk if you walk in wavy lines - but who cares!)

Good luck with him - photos??

HV