Horse nipping when grooming/touching him

[CJess]

When you arrive at the yard, stop and take a few deep breaths. Breath in deeply through your nose, hold a couple of seconds then out through the mouth. This will calm you down, because you sound really anxious. Try not to flutter, horses are incredibly good at reading our body language and far better than we are at reading theirs. For the timebeing, move your horse around purposefully and don't worry about the legs or grooming off mud until the vet has been to check his injuries. Use elbows for the horse to bump into, but don't purposefully elbow your horse. Consequences need to be instantaneous, not even a few seconds after the misdemeanour. Use a strong "Oi" if necessary, but only once. If it's all getting too much, leave the stable and do the breathing exercises again until you feel calmer.

Thank you, what do you mean by using elbows? Is this to move him with? x

 

[CJess]

Have you read about negative reinforcement? It’s what we use when riding. Negative when we’re talking training means to remove something, so it’s not negative is in “bad”. So to make a horse go you put pressure on with your legs and when the horse moves you reward it with taking the pressure away. Or when you push him to move to the side to make room for you - you stop pushing when he moves. (Crashcourse in behaviour and training coming up: Positive reinforcement means adding something, typically a treat, for the behaviour you want to reward. Positive punishment is to add something the horse dislikes, so that would be to smack him over the nose when he tries to bite or to tell him off. Negative punishment is to remove something that the horse would want, typically food. Punishment, both negative and positive, is the least effective way to train a horse).

So when we’re taking negative reinforcement when it comes to grooming it’s important that you don’t take away the pressure when the horse behaves in a way you don’t want. You must keep the pressure until the horse shows the behaviour you want to reward. Of course you need to stay out of reach so you don’t get bitten, but you need to keep grooming the horse. Then when he stays still/stops threatening to bite you can take the brush and yourself away from the horse - take a step back and remove yourself from his personal space and tell him he’s a good boy. (Also in general: tell him what you’re doing! You might feel stupid but this actually helps you to not seem hesitant in your movements. So: “ok, I’ll pick your feet now”, “I’ll just pop the saddle on you” etc.)

And then, some horses are just very sensitive to groom - my own mare is lovingly called “Bambi” as a nickname, because you need to watch both ends at the same time! She doesn’t like rubs and brushing needs to be with just the right amount of pressure. I accept that she’s that way and stay out of biting reach (she won’t actually bite, just threaten... I think!), but what I don’t do is stop grooming. Because that would be a reward for that behaviour.

Thank you, so when he stops going to bite I take off the pressure as a reward then continue to groom? I'm just unsure off how to pick his feet and stop him biting at the same time ?x

 

[9tails]

Thank you, what do you mean by using elbows? Is this to move him with? x

When he goes to bite, you need his head to connect with your elbow. You don't move the horse using elbows, just be aware that he may bite and be ready to put up your elbow for him to connect with.

 

[CJess]

Makes more sense ?thank you x

 

[Keira 8888]

Thank you so much for sharing it really does help, nice to know I'm not the only one as everyone else is so experienced. I need to be more confident I think and show him I'm in charge. Doesnt help that we got off on the wrong foot by me trying to spray his cut with the hose, think he is seeing how much he can get away with his is a really genuine horse. I'm just nervous about riding as I'm not sure how is with everything. I probably will pm you if that's okay with you as your the only person I've seen that was in the same situation ?❤

Of course! Let’s pm each other! Some of my inexperienced tales of woe will raise the hair on the back of your head!!! I promise you it will get easier. Will pm you later xx

 

[CJess]

Of course! Let’s pm each other! Some of my inexperienced tales of woe will raise the hair on the back of your head!!! I promise you it will get easier. Will pm you later xx

Aww thank you, I need it ?x

 

[Pmf27]

I could be way off base here, but I just read your thread on turning in/out safely and wonder if this could be related?

You said the aggressive mare constantly kicks at your horse, is it possible she has caught him with a kick to his legs that you didn't notice/when you weren't there?

 

[caileag]

Thank you, so when he stops going to bite I take off the pressure as a reward then continue to groom? I'm just unsure off how to pick his feet and stop him biting at the same time ?x

My mare isn't great with lifting her feet for picking out and has tried to nip me. I do it when she has her head collar on and is tethered such that she can't reach my rear end as I am grappling with her feet. Then it's a set routine starting with the off front , off hind and so on. She's getting better every time.

 

[Umbongo]

Thank you, so when he stops going to bite I take off the pressure as a reward then continue to groom? I'm just unsure off how to pick his feet and stop him biting at the same time ?x

If he is able to bite you when you are picking up his feet, then I would say he is probably tied up too loose.

 

[Red-1]

Does your new horse have feathers? I ask, as feathers can mask some seriously painful skin beneath. When I was buying for an organisation, we often both feathered beasts, and some of those would not stand t have their legs even touched (for grooming, washing, picking feet). It wold sometimes take a sedative so we could clip the feathers off and see what was beneath. One horse had skin bad enough that the vet though he had cancerous skin, it was so sore and weeping. It took about 6 months to clear that one up.

As far as handling goes for how to stay neutral but train the horse, and much as I had an awful experience personally with the man (I would not recommend his clinics for that reason) I do find that Warwick Schiller has some great free videos on YouTube. It was because of his helpful videos that I booked the clinic (mistake, but who knew?).

Also, biting is dangerous, a horse bite can inflict serious injuries. I would pop a muzzle on if you are dealing with the horse alone, to protect your derriere. I did this with one of mine who had ulcers, it wasn't his fault that he was dangerous, he was in pain, but before they were healed, I needed to be safe. Mr Red spent ages laughing and doing a Silence of the Lambs impression

 

[ihatework]

Based on this post and the last post may I suggest you look to move yards very soon - look for an established livery yard that offers part livery, with a yard owner who teaches. It sounds like you need someone take you under their wing and to help you learn about all aspects of horse ownership. It will be a steep learning curve but, in the right environment, a good one.