Biting When Grooming

[hearts4ponies]

Hi everyone. I’ve been loaning this pony for a few months now and have recently noticed that he’s started to snap at me when I’m grooming him. He’ll pin his ears back and turn to me then snap, and sometimes will shove me. He doesn’t do this all the time but often enough that i’m like ‘hold on..’
I’m not that confident. So, maybe it’s me not being firm enough? the first few times when i went to start loaning him, he would not let me catch him in the field. (He will let me catch him now)
So i’m beginning to think perhaps he’s trying to test me?.. He’s incredibly smart and I think he knows that I will just let him get away with stuff… not intentionally but i’m always worried about being mean.
But now my worry is that i won’t be able to undo this. I don’t want to have taught him a bad habit, please give me advice.

 

[AmyMay Again]

What type of brush are you using? And where on the body does he object to most? Is he clipped?

 

[kaiserchief]

Most horses enjoy being groomed so I suspect rather than him testing you he's either objecting to what comes next (do you ride every time you groom and how does he behave under saddle?) or is in pain/discomfort. Does he do the same if you run your hand firmly across him without a brush in it? I'd be inclined to ask his owner for their opinion first and if there's no resolution, engage your riding instructor/experienced yard owner/manager to watch you and give their opinion and if it continues, get the vet out for a check up. Good luck

 

[rrawcliffe]

My pony (otherwise a very sweet, quiet sort) started doing this a couple of months ago, never actually bit me but started being and clearly wasn’t really enjoying being groomed or touched. We had the vet out, turned out he needed treatment for hock arthritis and the behavior during grooming & tacking up was anticipating being ridden (and therefore being in pain).. even with regular grooming not involving riding. He was totally back to his normal laid back affectionate self within a week of steroid injections. As above, I’d suggest to talk to the owner (maybe see if this behaviour is only with you or with others too), get some second/third opinions, and if nothing changes get vet out to have a look.

 

[IslaNZeq]

Hi everyone. I’ve been loaning this pony for a few months now and have recently noticed that he’s started to snap at me when I’m grooming him. He’ll pin his ears back and turn to me then snap, and sometimes will shove me. He doesn’t do this all the time but often enough that i’m like ‘hold on..’
I’m not that confident. So, maybe it’s me not being firm enough? the first few times when i went to start loaning him, he would not let me catch him in the field. (He will let me catch him now)
So i’m beginning to think perhaps he’s trying to test me?.. He’s incredibly smart and I think he knows that I will just let him get away with stuff… not intentionally but i’m always worried about being mean.
But now my worry is that i won’t be able to undo this. I don’t want to have taught him a bad habit, please give me advice.

Biting is not ok, it can turn into a nasty habit so tell him NO and smack his neck. However, horses bit for a reason - usually because of pain. If you push hard and run your hands alone his spine does he react? Even just putting his head up or clamping his tail would be a reaction. Or is it more around his stomach? Does he bite or kick when you’re touching his stomach?