How to stop 9 year old gelding nudging?

CobSunshine

CobSunshine

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 August 2010
Messages
390
Visit site
My 9 year old gelding's previous owner used to feed him polo's through his grazing mask which has got him into the bad habit of nudging your pocket for a treat.

He's quite a large crest and his nudging can send you flying sometimes!

I don't give him any polo treats, just carrots or specific horse sugerless treats, also never from the pocket to try and disassociate my pocket with treats.

But he still nudges when stood still with him.

What would be the best way to get him out of this? I don't want to make him headshy by tapping him on the nose?
 
I've had him 2 months,

previous owner 2 years.

I guess it will be more difficult the longer he's been allowed to get away with it?
 
Yes it's prob habit for him now. I would push his nose firmly away. I'm sure he will get the message when he realises that his actions result in a shove and no polos. May take a while though.

Others on here may have similar experiences though and someone may know a way that works well. Good luck :)
 
We had one that had been clicker trained with treats. He was terrible. Would go in the pockets of kids even. Poor lad knew no better. Best not to slap him as he could become head shy, my friend saw a program about dog training and got a bottle full of stones and every time he did it she shook that and for a second he would stop what he was doing. Quite interesting as she had to reverse the damage the clicker training had done.

Never fed mine treats for that reason.
 
my pony was in the habit of rubbing his head on me once i'd dismounted. i hated him doing this, as he'd bruised me with his bit the first time he tried it. so i just pushed him away from me as soon as he turned his head towards me and this has stopped him doing it now. it took a while to get the message across but it did sink in. now he's stopped it altogether, once he's untacked i will give him a really good scratch on his forehead as thats where he gets itchy and i'm sure he appreciates it coz usually he's not bothered about scratches or cuddles!
 
I would stop feeding treats and when he does it stamp on his foot, just above the hoof. This doesn't hurt them too much but he will soon get the idea that nudging= sore foot and will stop, if you smack him when he does it he will get scared of you so this works better.

It also works for horses that nip.
 
def dont smack his nose.
Bend your arm across your chest so that it is at chest height and the elbow pokes out from your side a bit towards the offending nag. Every time he bends towards you to nudge you give him a sharp dig with your elbow in whatever bit of him (neck/shoulder) is nearest. The advantage of this is that if you have your arm crossed in readiness you dont have to think about it or get it into place, you just jab with it. It doesnt really hurt him but its very quick so he does associate it with what he's doing, which is critical. #

And it wont make him headshy. It worked with my 17 hand hunter who we got when he was 6 anyway!
 
Clicker training done properly does NOT cause horse to pick pockets or nudge .
I am a huge supporter of clicker training done right it is an excellent tool but it is all in the timing .
Ben Hart The art and science of clicker training is a good starting point.

I would click and treat for 'stand' and also for 'head away '

They quickly learn head away is rewarded and mugging is not .It is also very good for 'touch' getting them to calmly examine a SCARRY object.

Have a special belt or waistcoat when clicker training and have a finish cue when it is over
My youngster has learnt back up and is begining lateral work all using clicker and treat reward and will also work at liberty.
It is not clicker training that teaches mugging it is inappropriate treats and clicker training done badly.
Remember we are teaching our horses behaviour in EVERYTHING we do even we don't think we are doing any training!
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
def dont smack his nose.
Bend your arm across your chest so that it is at chest height and the elbow pokes out from your side a bit towards the offending nag. Every time he bends towards you to nudge you give him a sharp dig with your elbow in whatever bit of him (neck/shoulder) is nearest. The advantage of this is that if you have your arm crossed in readiness you dont have to think about it or get it into place, you just jab with it. It doesnt really hurt him but its very quick so he does associate it with what he's doing, which is critical. #

And it wont make him headshy. It worked with my 17 hand hunter who we got when he was 6 anyway!
Click to expand...

I did this with my mare and it deffinately works.
 
I stopped feeding treats altogether, for about 6 months, and that worked. He occasionally gets nippy and so I stop again. But make sure you tell everyone on your yard that's what you're doing. A few owners at my old place used to wander round on a morning handing out carrots over stable doors!
 
I pinch my little ones nose - but tbh although it makes her better, she still tries if she gets treats - so I find it best just not to give any at all.
 
i never feed treats - everything goes in a bucket. treats= nipping. ok you need to push his head away - no set time just push away and do that a few times then gently but firmly pull his head in to your space rub his face then push away again - he needs to know where youre space is - no need to smack just firmly push his head away but ask him back
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top