Bought wrong horse

I'm afraid I'm another advocate of the quick, open-handed smack (more for sound than for any physical effect) and a growl if there's nothing physically wrong with him. Sometimes it is hard to growl if you are feeling nervous so use whatever words you're comfortable with (mine are uh uh or give up!) and try to make your voice an octave lower and louder than normal which will help to cover any nerves you have. If you are happy that he is fine physically, he probably is just testing you and, because he's a big lad, he's probably just reached "that" age which they all have between four and eight where they try it on.
I second all the advice about getting someone to help you, even if it just means that you can see how they deal with him when he's biting.
I also think you should probably give yourself a deadline along the lines of "if I haven't see a difference in a week/fortnight/month" I'll think again, rather than either making an instant decision to get rid now or putting up with a rude scary horse for the next ten years!
I've never tried the water pistol trick but would keep that as a last resort in case he overreacts!
 
Whereabouts in West Hants are you? I come down to Southampton from Berkshire once a week. If you're close-I'd be very happy to pop over. I've worked with a lot of cocky, bitey youngsters, so may be able to help you with him.
 
So, to summarise; have a vet out, then have an instructor out. No need to send him back.
 
OFGS, give him a whack and get it over with. No horse should bite (or "nip", "mouth", whatever we're calling it this month), ever. NOT ALLOWED!
 
If it makes you feel any better, when I bought my lad who was quiet and sweet and lovely he quickly turned into a biting monster that bolted off with you.

A short sharp smack and a deep throated growl to stop soon stopped him from doing both

It just takes them a while to settle in and know where they stand - a bit like kids really

...........although he is still a little partial to putting his teeth gently on me when with the farrier, but a quick growl soon reminds him of his manners
 
padderpaws said:
If he bit another horse that was higher ranking he would get a bloody good kick or worse. They don't mess about with little slaps and taps they say it once and once only.
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Yup I learnt a lot about gaining respect and being the Alpha one on the yard when we bred horses , the mares do not hang back disciplining foals particularity when they are a bit older and they do it to each others not just there own.
Once your are number one all is sweetness and light.
 
PandorasJar said:
Contact the seller and don't buy a green young horse next time.

If this is the only issue sounds like he's just getting away with doing it. If it had been corrected unless there is a medical reason then he shouldn't be doing this.

If your daughter is very experienced as you say has she not been working on this with you and him? Selling 12 days later *brick wall*

Pan
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...don't hurt your head...

OP is not the only to suffer problems in the early days. Comments like yours are not helpful.
 
.....this forum really does p*ss me off sometimes.

So damn judgmental!

YES the more experienced of us know what to do, but bloody hell give some people a break!!!!!!!

Geez.....
 
I haven't read all the posts but he does slund like he's trying to test you a bit and it's also quite possible he's always been like this. He's had a week of settling in, strange place, strange horses (i am assuming he's out with others?). Now he feels a little more settled maybe he's reverting back to normal, bolshy behaviour. Do you know the reasons why he was being sold? It may be he is green, it may also be he's always been a bit of a bolshy so and so and noone's let him know it's not acceptable!

He's 7 so not old and they tend to start this biting, testing their luck from 2ish onwards -could it be he's just got away with it all the time? My youngster was nippy and can be bolshy (he's rising 3) but I wouldn't have said nasty so i guess that's what you really need to get to the bottom of - is he just seeing you as another horse that he can dominate (where does he sit in the herd pecking order - at the bottom?). If's he lowest in the pecking order he may feel you're the only one he can push about so, if that's the case you need to tell him now in no uncertain terms it's not acceptable.

However, without actually seeing him it's hard to assess so i would suggest getting some help from a trusted instructor or behaviourist if you feel you can't do it yourself. Some horses do respond to a bit of a shock tactic (ie hard smack as a result of their actions) However, others this can just make them worse - we had one at college who was quite aggressive in her stable and if you did slap her for trying to bite or kick you she'd go ballistic! Dream to ride though.

Can i hazard a guess that he's very good once you're on board?? If so then you probably have a perfect horse IF you can sort out this behaviour!! In my experience all horses have one 'quirk' as it were.

i don't think you should think about selling him yet, he actually sounds like he's never really been taught how to behave with humans.
 
joeanne said:
I dont condone BEATING a horse but i'm sorry if a horse bit me it would get what for........just as it would if it tried that with another horse out in the field!
Another horse wont say "please dont do that again, it was a tad impolite"
What that horse will do is lunge straight back, teeth bared and put the upsurper in his place if that horse is lower in the ranks.
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This
 
Auslander said:
Whereabouts in West Hants are you? I come down to Southampton from Berkshire once a week. If you're close-I'd be very happy to pop over. I've worked with a lot of cocky, bitey youngsters, so may be able to help you with him.
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Would you allow a person to behave like this toward you? I wouldn't and they would soon ruddy know it. If my voice, tinged with pyscho menace didn't do the trick then a slap would. Get firm, get indignant and tell him no means no.:)
 
Plain and simple - bite the bugger back! It worked for my aunt with her snappy mare - horse never did it again! :-)

However I do think you may need someone more experienced to help you through your difficult time. In the meantime maybe be a bit more assertive with your boy and keep a stick with you when you are leading him.
 
OP, do not lose heart ! I have read most of the replies and agree with you Hollycat has offered sensible advice. As for some of the others :rolleyes:. He is a big lad and if you have ruled out pain and this sounds a bit sudden in change to be pure pain get tough. Turn him out and bring him in a simple headstall with a snaffle bit attached and attach a lunge line, if he even shows the slightest sign of biting, yell like a banshee at him making yourself really big and square waving your hand towards his ear yelling back. The second he backs up even a step walk on as if nothing has happened and repeat if necessary.

Its all well and good getting your experienced daughter involved but at the end of the day you have to bring him without her. I have a lovely near 2yr old who tried this ( nowhere as big) and yes I got my daughter to bring him in and he was fine so was then down to me ! I am experienced but can get nervous once I tried the above he behaved. You don't need to beat him just scare the s**t out of him, the lunge line will give both you and him a safe distance.

Good luck. :D
 
Op - i totally agree with morrismob. Dont lose heart believe me your not on your own. All i would say is get some help. Before you can do anything yourself you need to get your confidence back. It worked for me when i was having an issue with a difficult youngster. I would give it a bit longer personally. but its important to remember its a hobby, and an expensive one at that !!
 
Please don't lose heart!

It really does sound like he's testing the boundaries. Alongside lots of groundwork to establish firm boundaries, what about trying something like a 'Be-Nice Halter'? Having something like this might help you feel a bit more confident to work on the boundaries.

Good luck :)
 
I would get an NH/IH instructor to help with ground work, these things can usually be easily addressed, your lack of confidence will make it difficult for you to deal with effectively, but having someone show you how, and make the first few changes will help. Give this a go first before looking for a new home, lots of horses try it on /are a bit unsettled in new homes.
 
Mine did, and still does occasionally do this.

I was told, cobby types mature later than 'other' horses, and I think its sort of true as mine was v testing till he was about 9.

Now............I myself didnt stop his biting, my mother did. She used to go out to the tack room for a fag and a coffee and it was beside the open stable and he would come in and see her and she did reward training with him.

Also when leading I made sure I was at his shoulder with my hand right up by his head and keeping it forward and whenever he would try to turn to get me he got a stern NO and his head pointed to the front again. If it was a big turn to bite he got the end of the lead rope off his belly and a roar. If his teeth connected with skin/clothing he got a quick smack on the nose with my hand - you have about 3 seconds I think it is before they link between the behaviour and the reprimand is lost.
The more well behaved he was, the less tight I held him and he would get a carrot if he walked to the field without biting. It did take about 3 months though! and he still regresses if you aren't firm with him, but he is a bolshy cob who does push his luck when he isnt being an angel!
 
Ibblebibble said:
while i agree with the sentiment, in this case the OP does have experience with her daughters ponies, but it would seem is lacking in confidence:)
I would think that is your problem Amber22 , the horse is testing the boundaries, as most new horses do, and he's finding he can intimidate you. He'll keep doing it until you stop him! What does he behave like with your daughter?
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I have many years of experience but when my confidence is tested it is quite tough, and I can become a bit scared too, but its about leaving that behind and going in with fresh confidence until you are in control. I understand your feeling down and feeling kind of hasty in your first post, our emotions can really lead the way at times when we are feeling down. As suggested I would not give in, as he has been good prior I think he is completely testing you. You really need to show him who the boss is and the bridle is a good idea. I would get his teeth/mouth checked out to just in case. I think you can turn this around, adapting to a new horse is quite tough sometimes, good luck and I hoep you can get him behaving sensibly again
 
Just thought I would update. My daughter helped when back home again. Horse was terrible when asked to leave field with her & went to bite & barge her, although ok to put headcollar on. It took 15mins of lunging from headcollar to bring him in (was using lunge line rather than lunge line to bring in). This went on for some days so we moved him into smaller field next door by himself, with friends over fence, where he had been for first couple of days. He was transformed back to the horse we bought! I still don't trust him but he has been great since then.
 
Good to hear. When out with the others he must be working hard to establish himself in the herd. I guess h may not have found it so easy so he must be seeing you as the weakest and bullying you. Pretty basic horse stuff just very scary! Good luck.
 
alma said:
Having had a confirmed biter, I dealt with the problem by purchasing a small plastic water pistol and giving him a squirt on the nose when he tried to bite, it soon stopped him!You have to be quick though the instant he tries to bite
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This is a good one, though I was thinking I would use a jif lemon sgraight into his mouth!
 
Our new mare, has no manners, she is an ex broodmare and been with us 2 months now.
She barges, is aggressive around food, won't stand or back up, basically pleases herself.
I am of slight build, don't weigh a lot and wouldn't win a fight with her, I now put her in a dually halter whenever I do anything with her, she walks nicely in hand, backs when asked and waits to be told she can get her feed, I also give voice commands.
Now for my bolshy boyo, thanks folks for pointing out where I am going wrong with my lad, who nicely takes the mick, it's only reading this post I should apply what I do with the mare to my lad.
Good luck OP, you can make changes
 
can't quote as on phone but I will say the following, a shire x is going to be a lot bigger and more intimidating than a pony, which is what op sounds more used to, my youngster went into nipping ans stomping in a big way, growling, pinching, smacking all resulted in more of s strop and a bit of a neurotic beast, it just didnt seem to work for him, I started threading a nice chunky lead rope through his halter for him to chew on ( instead of me lol) this worked a treat, he focused all his energy on that and forgot about anything else, sure he would occasionally stomp but having the lead rope in his mouth seemed to deflate his energy to a level where I could reprimand him for stomping and he would listen. He also responded really well to clicker training for backing up and respecting personal space, it also contributed to him being less nippy in general because he would only get a great for not nipping and turning his head away from me or backing up. Now he does it as standard when he sees me, treat or no treat, and this took about three five min sessions a day over a few days to become rock solid behaviour. Also, it may have been mentioned already but calm and condition is not a calming food, quite the opposite for most horses! It's designed for horses in a decent amount of work, if you must feed him something, try a dengie fibre (hi fi) or something like Alan and page fast fibre, much more suitable.
 
a few people have touched on this in their posts

BUT i do get concerned when people 'advise' others to 'take on a horse'
when they are scared of it

you will NEVER succeed in sorting out a bolshy horse if you can't approach the encounter in a confident way

i fully agree with the approach
it just really worries me that people assume everyone is sufficiently calm, capable and confident to use this approach

two of the 'worst' horses i ever had to rehabilitate/re-educate/sort out
had previously been through the hands of several self-appointed 'horse whisperers' (aka people who'd watched a couple of Monty Roberts' videos)
the humans started the 'discussion',
maybe got somewhere for a few days,
then the horse had thrown them a 'yellow card',
the human instantly lost their nerve
and the horse had now reinforced/reconfirmed its dominance over humankind
and the 'whisperers' moved them on

once they've been round that cycle a few times, believe me, they get v dangerous

if you're guts telling you its too risky, its too risky

and if you haven't got the confidence to see it through you are not helping the horse by startng down this road

don't start any battle you aren't willing to see through to the end

and just to re-iterate, the new IH type methodologies are brilliant and a huge breakthrough, i'm a complete convert

but (i hope) you wouldn't suggest someone got on a dangerous horse unless they had the confidence, ability and experience to deal with it

groundwork is no different
 
and for the original poster
IMO you sound like a competent and reasonably experienced individual
that has just slightly 'over horsed' themselves
possibly even just a personality clash

(i also am a firm believer in the 'fortnight in -time for the heirarchy discussion' syndrome, i've seen it so many times)

glad there now appears to be some light in the tunnel

i think some posters should give credit that she recognised she had a problem and sought advice

as somebody else said (i paraphrase)
if you haven't ever been scared *****less by a horse then you're either v lucky or v 'forgetful'

the big trick,ultimately, is to learn to control and channel that fear
whilst being sensible and realistic about the risks
 
Totally agree labruyere. If your experience and confidence make you 'feel' bigger, stronger and more dominant than the horse then it's quite straight forward to put them in their place. If not they will always dominate you, and you should get experienced help rather than start a battle you can't win. It's got nothing to do with strength, either your's or the horse. A small pony is stronger than a grown man if they really wanted to be. It's all about the horse believing you to be the boss, and this can only be achieved by total confidence, anything less and he will pick up on it in an instant and take charge himself. They are all different and some are happy to accept a lower ranking to us, others take more convincing.
It's pointless physically reprimanding him if inside your worrying and nervous, it may even make him worse and have him reprimanding YOU. Don't feel bad, but PLEASE don't confront him without getting some help, and get it soon. Echo some other posters in that it's no crime to change him for one more suited to your personality. He is obviously a strong minded chap and needs an even stronger minded person to put him in his place.
Take heart from the positive replies to your situation and above all take care.
 
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