How to stop biting?

[Paint Me Proud]

Any tips to stop a biter.

Chico is a bit of a nipper in two situations.

Situation 1 - being led in from the field he thinks it is a good game to try and quietly creep up behind me and nip at my back. Or if walking next to me he will nip sideways at my arm. Mostly just trying to pull at clothing but annoying none the less.

Situation 2 - when he gets frustrated at not being able to do what he wants whilst being led (ie trying to load him etc) he tries to bite at my hand that is leading him.

They are never nasty bites intending to draw blood etc just nips but it's starting to get on my nerves now.

I have tried telling him sternly 'no', tried giving a bop with the leadrope on his muzzle, tried ignoring it but he just keeps doing it.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

BUMP

 

[CobsGalore]

Don't let him walk behind you so he doesn't have the opportunity to nip your back.

Lead him next to you with your elbow pointed out towards him, when you goes to bite he will get an elbow in his mouth.

Maybe hold a prickly brush or something, so when he nips your hand he gets a prickly brush up his nose.

You have to make him think he is punishing himself!

I've also heard of people tapping the horses leg with their foot when the horse goes to bite, but this might be difficult to do while you're leading him.

 

[mcnaughty]

Wack him one! Sorry, this is just plain bad manners.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

Wack him one! Sorry, this is just plain bad manners.

i do whack him, every time, it doesnt make any difference!!

He knows it is naughty and inappropriate but forgets himself due to excitement or annoyance

 

[Dirtymare]

Wack him one! Sorry, this is just plain bad manners.

^^^^This. But I would shout when you wack him. Eventually, he learns that when you raise your voice, there maybe a sting with it too. He will soon stop.

 

[CobsGalore]

Wack him one! Sorry, this is just plain bad manners.

It is plain bad manners but I don't think 'whacking him one' is going to solve anything

 

[Paint Me Proud]

It is plain bad manners but I don't think 'whacking him one' is going to solve anything

exactly. I have tried bopping him on the nose each time but it hasnt stopped him. I wondered if there was any alternative to hitting him?

 

[Dirtymare]

It is plain bad manners but I don't think 'whacking him one' is going to solve anything

What would you suggest?

 

[CobsGalore]

What would you suggest?

I have already given some suggestions to OP, see above.

I have also known people to have great effect with a water pistol. You may look a bit silly but it worked very well in my friends case.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Keep your arm fixed straight and out to the side, like a stick when you lead and hold the rope as close to his jaw as possible (without holding the clip). Have the noseband of the headcollar snug not loose and up high, just under his cheek bones. If you do all this he won't be able to reach you to bite.

 

[Dirtymare]

I have already given some suggestions to OP, see above.

I have also known people the have great effect with a water pistol. You may look a bit silly but it worked very well in my friends case.

Certainly living up to the colour of my hair today (doh)!!

I know someone who is trying the water pistol method and regretably its not working.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Leading from a lunge cavesson would also work, as would using a bucket muzzle.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

I have already given some suggestions to OP, see above.

I have also known people to have great effect with a water pistol. You may look a bit silly but it worked very well in my friends case.

I had thought about a water pistol but didnt want to mention it on here incase it was a very bad idea but might just give it a go now i know someone else has had success with it, although not all do by the sounds of it.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

I have also noticed that if while i am leading him i place my hand on him (on his face, neck, anywhere really) he doesnt try to nip. It's not that i am preventing him from doing so just that when i am in physical contact with him he doesnt seem to feel the need to be so tactile himself with the nipping and prodding.
Could it be a form of attention seeking of my physical comforting.

 

[CobsGalore]

Yes definitely, like a little child who is attention seeking!

Maybe try fussing over him while you bring him in, then stop, and if he tries to bite you just ignore him. Once he is walking nicely again, lots and lots of fuss.

 

[Enfys]

I have also noticed that if while i am leading him i place my hand on him (on his face, neck, anywhere really) he doesnt try to nip. It's not that i am preventing him from doing so just that when i am in physical contact with him he doesnt seem to feel the need to be so tactile himself with the nipping and prodding.
Could it be a form of attention seeking of my physical comforting.

Yes, but there is no need for him to bite (nip whatever) He could just touch you.

Cobs Galore has given various solutions.

Me? For a persistent nibbler/biter I would put a chain over his nose, walk him with his head right beside me, so that he has absolutely no opportunity to nip and if he tried it I'd jerk the chain, he'll learn.
The chain doesn't come into effect if he is behaving himself, in effect he is punishing himself. You will probably only have to do it once or twice, it will not make him head shy or scared, more like "Wooo! What happened there?!"

 

[janei]

PmP - your Chico sounds (and looks) so similar to my boy, he is really naughty and throws his weight around too! My boy does this too mainly on the way out of the field, I tend to look at him and growl and find that if I'm looking at him he wont do it! I also put hand under cheek of headcollar sometimes and he cant do it then. He does move back if you shout but no point hitting him, he knows hes bigger than me! He tests me all the time, I just try and reduce risk to me and reduce him doing it by growling! Good luck!