SEH
Well-Known Member
Hey Everyone,
I have a horse that bites, not nasty, obviously not nicely but just like how he communicates. He's the love of my life but it is annoying! Sometimes just a nibble, sometimes quite serious. He's a big boy too. He also grabs hold of clothes and items and drags you or it around. He chews ropes, buckets, saddle cloths, his bridle, other horses rugs. Basically like a toddler who has to put everything in his mouth. I see him regularly carrying his water buckets around the field, he even empties them first just so he can, sometimes 5 times a day. He was very well socialised when young and he is VERY sociable and friendly, just pushy at times.
He has always been very mouthy and a biter, he bit my hand the first time I rode him and I fainted because of the blood. He doesn't generally do it to other people though, only if they are holding him for me and he is frustrated ect, but he rarely has contact with too many other people. It almost like he classes me as one of his herd and treats me like he would another horse. We have checked all the usual suspects (dentist ect) and he doesn't have a 'trigger' like some do like tightening the girth or food. He has never been given treats. He doesn't do it all the time by any means but I keep him away from other people and I have signs up and I fences the outer edge off, just to be safe!
I really don't mind the picking stuff up ect, but I have been advised that if I allow this or clothes grabbing then it only encourages his biting. He is miles better two years later but still having some problems. Part of me thinks I only think he is better because I am so careful and can sense when he is going to do it. I do natural horsemanship with him to try and teach him respect and boundaries but this is in the early stages. I also do a lot of groundwork with him but it doesn't seem to help.
Any advice to help stop this?
Thanks
I have a horse that bites, not nasty, obviously not nicely but just like how he communicates. He's the love of my life but it is annoying! Sometimes just a nibble, sometimes quite serious. He's a big boy too. He also grabs hold of clothes and items and drags you or it around. He chews ropes, buckets, saddle cloths, his bridle, other horses rugs. Basically like a toddler who has to put everything in his mouth. I see him regularly carrying his water buckets around the field, he even empties them first just so he can, sometimes 5 times a day. He was very well socialised when young and he is VERY sociable and friendly, just pushy at times.
He has always been very mouthy and a biter, he bit my hand the first time I rode him and I fainted because of the blood. He doesn't generally do it to other people though, only if they are holding him for me and he is frustrated ect, but he rarely has contact with too many other people. It almost like he classes me as one of his herd and treats me like he would another horse. We have checked all the usual suspects (dentist ect) and he doesn't have a 'trigger' like some do like tightening the girth or food. He has never been given treats. He doesn't do it all the time by any means but I keep him away from other people and I have signs up and I fences the outer edge off, just to be safe!
I really don't mind the picking stuff up ect, but I have been advised that if I allow this or clothes grabbing then it only encourages his biting. He is miles better two years later but still having some problems. Part of me thinks I only think he is better because I am so careful and can sense when he is going to do it. I do natural horsemanship with him to try and teach him respect and boundaries but this is in the early stages. I also do a lot of groundwork with him but it doesn't seem to help.
Any advice to help stop this?
Thanks
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