Can you stop a horse from biting?

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Hutchlou

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I was bitten on the arm whilst patting a horse over the stable door yesterday. Really nasty, luckily had 3 layers of winter gear on so didn't quite draw blood but has left a massive scrape and bruise. I did some in-hand work with him the day before and he is like a big lap dog when he is out, but he is horrible whilst he's actually in his stable & occasionally lunges at people as they walk by. Is there any way of stopping this bad behaviour?
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To eradicate the problem entirely, you first need to find out why he's biting.

What were both of you doing prior to the bite? Is he your horse/a horse you know well/a horse you don't know? What was he doing in his stable before you started patting him? Did he seem relaxed whilst you were patting him or was he showing signs of not liking being patted?
 
He had been having a Horselyx prior to me going and stroking him, so I'm guessing he assocaited me with not having his treat anymore... even so, is that acceptable behaviour? I could have been a child and without the layers on I'd have a chunk of my arm missing by now!
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He is partly my horse (3 way investment) but I haven't had him for long and haven't ridden him yet, so he doesn't "know" me very well, but I do see him most days and make a fuss of him each time.
 
Its because he was eating (licking)

Have to say, cant stand horses being fed over the stable door (if this was the case - sorry if it wasnt) it just encourages nipping!
 
My 4yr old bites too, so I quite literally feel your pain
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There is no rhyme of reason to it, you can be getting him in, turning him out, grooming him, picking his feet out or putting his headcollar on and he will give you a nip
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Invariably I squeak when he does it and it always makes him jump, but because it doesn't seem malicious (it is never an "ears back, teeth bared lunging at you" type of bite) I'm a bit stumped at how to react with him too!

Fingers crossed somone on here will have some good advice for us
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[ QUOTE ]
Its because he was eating (licking)

Have to say, cant stand horses being fed over the stable door (if this was the case - sorry if it wasnt) it just encourages nipping!

[/ QUOTE ]

You are quite right, he was being fed over the stable door...if I want to treat him, should I just go into his stable with it?
 
Probably not.

Mine dont get any treats unless they are put into their feed buckets.
Otherwise if you go into the stable with a treat he will expect it every time you go into the stable and might start nipping.

And as you said, it might be a child he nips next time.

I would just avoid giving treats to be on the safe side
 
I don't think there is anything wrong with treating. I do it in hand, ridden (good for stretching), tied up, loose schooling, in the stable, field....

I do think that giving a relatively large *very* sugary thing and then taking it away and putting your arm in its place (well, more or less) was unfortunate.

Last time my treated horse bit me was when he was grooming back a bit too thoroughly when being groomed. He's never gone for my hand/arm or 'mugged' me for treats. Although he does pay attention when I bring a friend to the yard becasue he knows they often get the 'treating' job while I do the dull stuff!

Horses not used to treats can still bite due to
- stress
- bad temper
- pain
- remembered pain
- tickling (when grooming)
- work avoidance
... the list goes on.

I use small bits of chopped swede, carrot, apple etc polos and herby treats. All small (so token gesture, not sugar high like hyper active kid) and given as either a reward for good behaviour/doing something scary or a greeting. LOTS of things are scary for an Arab so we often start with treats, vocal praise and patting, then just vocal and patting, then vocal, then taking it in our stride. :-)
 
ali_m - sounds like baby behaviour. If you are quick enough (and holding a brush) you can stuff that into his mouth when he goes to bite (not to hurt, just so that biting humans is yucky and prickly). Otherwise I'd continue with the squeeking - but make them *very* big and accompany with a firm 'no'. He might not know it is wrong (so no point punishing) but that way you are telling him it is both wrong and a big deal so he'll know for later.

If he bites lots of non-animal things too maybe check if he needs a mineral lick or anythign?
 
My horse still bites - she's 26 and I've had her 19 years. Basically she's a grumpy old cow who likes her own space. She has always put in the odd nip, all the time I've had her. I just growl at her when she starts to turn to bite.
 
Yes you can.
Mine bit constantly and badly in the way you described. I tried everything from ignoring it to punishing with no luck (even the brush trick!)

When he went off for retraining the trainer showed me how to stop it and it worked.
Just get two fingers and poke him really firmly in the side of his jaw when he does it. Make sure it's consistent.
It's not like a slap which would make him headshy but painful enough to get the message! Now all I have to do is point my finger at him and he moves his head away sharpish!
 
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