Horse bites other horses when hacking

scrumpy27

scrumpy27

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Hi all, i have a quick question and wondered what other riders would do? I rode out today for the first time with a new friend and my 5yr old pony kept trying to be sneaky and bite the other horses bottom! and shoulder given the chance, she behaved good in all other ways but i wondered why she did this? was she trying to be dominant (something she tries to be with me) or was she being a baby and acting up? anyhows how would you suggest i get her to stop, i kept pulling her head away and gave her a little tap on shoulder and told her NO. Thanks in advance for comments:)
 
Absolutely agree with Tinypony, I detest people who allow their horses to get so close to the horse in front that they use it as the brakes! This happened to me last summer, the poor Current Appy was too well mannered to kick the horse behind her, but ended up with her bum in the road to try and avoid being concertinerd. Leave at least half a horse length between horses and then no-one will bite anyone.
 
My trainer has got a wise old mare who she uses to "school" rude young horses. She basically takes off shoes (or hind ones anyway) and just turns the youngsters out with her old mare for a week or two.......... and by god they soon learn their manners PDQ!!!

Seriously, that's what I'd suggest if at all practicable. This youngster has obviously never learnt manners in a herd environment, possibly due to being separated from the mare way too early, hence never learnt basically.

Even if no wise old mare available; an established herd have their own pecking order and it sounds like this youngster would benefit from being turned out with a few wiser/older horses for a bit, just to learn. Much cheaper and cheerfuller than spending oodles of dosh on schooling! (that will come later) Let horses discipline their own; they're experts at it.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
My trainer has got a wise old mare who she uses to "school" rude young horses. She basically takes off shoes (or hind ones anyway) and just turns the youngsters out with her old mare for a week or two.......... and by god they soon learn their manners PDQ!!!

Seriously, that's what I'd suggest if at all practicable. This youngster has obviously never learnt manners in a herd environment, possibly due to being separated from the mare way too early, hence never learnt basically.

Even if no wise old mare available; an established herd have their own pecking order and it sounds like this youngster would benefit from being turned out with a few wiser/older horses for a bit, just to learn. Much cheaper and cheerfuller than spending oodles of dosh on schooling! (that will come later) Let horses discipline their own; they're experts at it.
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They're out riding, not in a field! The young horse shouldn't be close enough to bite, and definitely not close enough to learn "pecking order". If it's that close then it's close enough for the rider to get kicked as well.

I don't want to be rude, so please don't take this too personally, but I think there is too much pseudo equine behaviour quoted about herd behaviour and pecking orders (and use of the word "dominance"). I think the youngster is just doing what youngsters do. Probably if it was being ridden effectively it would have attention on the rider and the problem would go away. I don't mean riding harshly, or yanking the head away, just having the horse concentrating and "with the" rider. However, the bottom line is that it is dangerous and inconsiderate to ride that close to a hacking buddy.
 
My youngsters either behave themselves quietly behind, leaving a horses length - or they get told to walk out in front! It's amazing how quickly they learn the lesson that they are to pay attention to their rider and ignore the other horse, one of my 5 year olds will now stay in walk even if the one in front goes off for a canter.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
My trainer has got a wise old mare who she uses to "school" rude young horses. She basically takes off shoes (or hind ones anyway) and just turns the youngsters out with her old mare for a week or two.......... and by god they soon learn their manners PDQ!!!

Seriously, that's what I'd suggest if at all practicable. This youngster has obviously never learnt manners in a herd environment, possibly due to being separated from the mare way too early, hence never learnt basically.

Even if no wise old mare available; an established herd have their own pecking order and it sounds like this youngster would benefit from being turned out with a few wiser/older horses for a bit, just to learn. Much cheaper and cheerfuller than spending oodles of dosh on schooling! (that will come later) Let horses discipline their own; they're experts at it.
Click to expand...

totally agree with this, at the yard I am at my horse was in with a young mare and they got so close it was silly they we're practically inseperable and got seperation anxiety! we've split them up now and hopefully this will teach the youngster some manners my boy's 8 but still doesn't need any naughty encouragement!
 
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