Horses that bite...how to stop them?

V

Vicki1986

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 May 2006
Messages
3,160
Location
Maidstone & Fawkham, Kent
Visit site
My 6yo ISH whom I have owned for a year is a spoilt brat at times, and tries to bite whenever he has to do something that doesn't suit him. Any ideas how to stop this? Have tried several methods and had no joy so be good to hear what others would do.
I have had a few young mares from 2 yo and they've been very simple, one kicked me so I kicked it back, she stared at me for a moment and that was the end of that. She is 5/6 now and beautifully behaved. My other mare of the same age had a very similar experience as a baby and has grown up to be good natured.
But this gelding is persistent and pushing it too far. I dont feed him from the hand ever and he is lovely in his stable/anywhere as long as things are going his way.
The issues are not pain related.
 
Are there specific things he reacts to?

Assuming he's just being grumpy: if it's swift nips, I'd let him meet my elbow in an uncomfortable way. If he's trying to bite properly, I'd roar and give him a wallop. Biting is absolutely unacceptable and I would leave him in absolutely no doubt about it.
 
What kind of situations does he bite in and what tends to trigger it? Has he always been like this or has it increased? And (sounds a bit obvious but have to ask) has he had his teeth checked recently? Lots of people would probably suggest that you bite back, but a) I get the impression that you've already tried this, b) I don't like that it can make some horses headshy and difficult to handle with your hands, and c) I think it can encourage a horse to be a sly biter, in that he goes for you as soon as your back is turned so that he avoids being smacked.
My favourite tried-and-tested method is to ignore it. That way, the behaviour is neither positively nor negatively reinforced, as he might be doing it for attention, as even negative attention is better than none at all. Ignored behaviour tends to diminish as the horse learns that it serves no purpose and he gains nothing from it. When he does go to bite you, don't look at him and carry on with what you are doing, but just poke an elbow in his way so he can't achieve the bite. You will need to be consistent as it will take a long time to unlearn if it is a habit. It might help to make sure that your horse always has something to do so (like a haynet) isn't standing around bored for any period of time, making biting less likely. You could possibly try clapping your hands or banging something loudly to shock and distract him when you think he's just about to bite you.

Good luck! :)
 
Have given him a wallop, he just carries on he seems completely oblivious / doesn't care.

I then thought as this had no effect perhaps I'd try ignoring ( and avoiding) the behaviour.not working either.

If he tries to bite I do reprimand with voice but got to the point where I'm sounding off at him and it has no effect apart from embarrassing me on the yard.
 
It is any time he doesn't want to do something, ie is good to mount on yard to hack, at show fine, but try to mount in school at home to do some work he will try to bite as I lead to block.

Also is trying to bite grooms when turning out.

Is not fed much and teeth done recently. Has regular Bowen treatment and is in very good health, regular work and turn out. Has one field buddy whom he likes but isn't clingy to. So technically should not be behaving like this as shouldn't be lacking in anything.


His behaviour can be quite dominating and I do feel the attempted biting has got much whose -possibly coinciding with other triumphs I have had with establishing myself as the leader. He is better to handle on the ground but this last bad habit is hanging on / getting worse.
 
You need to find out why he bites. I bought a confirmed biter. I found out that the reason she bit was that her tack didn't fit. She now has a new, bigger bridle. I have also been extremely careful how I put her tack on. Just over 12 months later, she no longer bites, or threatens to. I do hand feed. I give her treats when she has done what I ask. I also make sure that she has some hay to nibble on when I am grooming and tacking up.
 
Are you able to find out anything about his early life?

My big lad was [and still is a little bit] like this - I found out he has been hand reared and then kept entire as a stallion until he was nearly 5...obviously this has a big impact on his behaviour...

Hitting doesn't help and shows you've lost control...I found Kelly Marks book Perfect Manners to be a big help with alternative techniques and really humane...hope you find a solution xx
 
my big mare was fond of biting, she was just trying it on and one day when bathing her sponge in hand, full of soapsuds.......she tried to bite me Hey presto soapy sponge stuffed in her mouth, big mare was not best pleased blew a few bubbles:D BUT has never tried to bite properly since she still snarls pulls faces but now i just growl and she quits it.
One of the stallions I use to work with was a S##t at biting, then we found if he had dummy(rolled up leadrope) to chew he would stand and be a saint.
You need to know the reason he is biting, my mare was just being naughty, the stallion was just looking for comfort.
But biting should not be tolerated at all.
 
Frumpoon said:
Are you able to find out anything about his early life?

My big lad was [and still is a little bit] like this - I found out he has been hand reared and then kept entire as a stallion until he was nearly 5...obviously this has a big impact on his behaviour...

Hitting doesn't help and shows you've lost control...I found Kelly Marks book Perfect Manners to be a big help with alternative techniques and really humane...hope you find a solution xx
Click to expand...

I am going to try but it's unlikely.

I really do feel he has not had a normal / ideal beginning as he is very socially and behaviourally challenged. It's taken the yard 6 months to turn another horse out with him as no one wanted their horse to go out with him. He has no idea about personal space and can be very intolerable but luckily he now has a field chum who is a calming influence and firm but fair with him. His behaviour at times is like a much younger horse so I do wonder how he started out...
 
Is it excitment /anticipation? Could it be avoided with distractions, if he's okay at shows when there are distractions? Could you try basic groundwork as part of turning out (halting, backing up) until he's distracted / can't anticipate? Possibly also try the same approach in the school - do gorundwork for varying periods before getting on?
 
Have dealt with a few of these - I think earling weaning and/or submissive mum who didnt square up the naughty foal often to blame. Cant agree with the 'just leave them and they ll stop' brigade - have seen owners bruised and bitten harder as time goes by. keep him off you at least 3 feet down the leadrope. Lots of groundwork to build trust. The youngster I m now handling is a bit nippy - have gelded him - but he s getting better because I ve found the 1 spot he likes to be touched . Side of his tail a top, nice scratch! Then he can relax and forget to think about playing nipping 'games'.
 
Because he was so bad on the ground ( would literally stand on top of me given the chance) we include groundwork daily. He is made to go back practically every time i handle him as otherwise he tries to control the situation.
Problem is the grooms on yard are very good but they don't have time to educate my horse, and work means I rarely turn out.
I had a ground lesson 6 months ago with a great horsemanship expert, think I will get another booked. Unfortunately it's tricky getting him to come out to me, but I feel pointless going to his as he won't be half as bad.

It's almost as if he's over confident at home? At friends yards he almost feels a bit nervous and therefore more compliant? But at home is very big for his boots? But I want him to be happy at home and confident.... Just quite like my arms attached too!
 
ooooh he sounds so much like my boy!!!!

Like he's a good boy and willing and stuff but cannot comprehend boundaries????
 
Oh very much so. It's frustrating as he lets himself down, can be so good and then does something stupid or unneccessary and I feel back to square one!! I am probably being a bit hard on him though as he has improved in so many other ways, I just wish he'd drop this brat behaviour and we could all get along much better!!
 
I'm a total pushover and because I know my lad's background I give him loads more leeway than I probably should BUT for the sake of our relationship and his trust in me I pick my battles carefully...

When he first came to live at my expense :rolleyes:...if he didn't behave himself I really took it personally...now? I don't even give it a second thought, he's an intelligent creature with experiences I cannot even begin to guess at and we mostly muddle along as best we can, its taken us 3 1/2 years to get here and I wouldn't swap him for the world
 
Ah, had not thought of that one.... May be worth a go, he is an intelligent creature and he does soon learn to stop doing things that are unpleasant for him (shame he doesn't care if they are unpleasant for me!!)
 
I've not had the need to try it but I did read somewhere that an owner put one of those fluffy toys on a key ring attached to the halter so when the horse tried to bite - mouth full of fluffy bunny. Apparently it worked.???
 
Yes, the NH way is to try to stop the behaviour by making the horse think he's punished himself. It removes the human from any discomfort or unpleasant consequences of their bad behaviour. So I agree with the not reacting but smartly presenting a pointy elbow, or pushing the face away with knuckles in the cheek whilst keeping calm. The fluffy bunny is a great idea, just not sure how that works:confused:
 
Sounds more like he's trying to dominate you than anything else. I'd be trying to act more assertively all the time & going with the elbow. Breaking the pattern helps too, so a toy/ hay for grooming, mount from a different place if possible etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top