Nipping biting in the bud

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peanut

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My 5 yo has suddenly starting biting. I've had her since she was 3 and it's only in the last couple of weeks that this has started happening. She's bitten me whilst I have been leading her and when grooming (generally - not in sensitive areas).

So far I've given her a wallop on the shoulder and growled at her (she is very voice responsive) and she does look very apologetic afterwards.

Am I handling this the right way? What should I do to stop it? I absolutely do NOT want a biter.
 
well, i'll probably get shot down in flames for this, but i always give them a smack on the nose for it. biting is not funny, it really hurts (as i'm sure you know) so all the people who say "ignore it, the behaviour will go away" and "any reaction is reinforcement" obviously haven't been bitten hard enough..!
all my youngsters have gone through a short bitey phase, which has desisted pronto and permanently after a few immediate slaps on the schnoz...
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I'm grateful for any input and open to all suggestions.

Biting is one thing I certainly don't think will go away on its own.

ETA: We have a very good relationship and she is normally very respectful of space etc. But she is a challenging mare and has been head of her herd since a 3 yo.
 
I echo Kerilli 100% and contrary to belief, if done immediately, they know exactly what it was for and don't take it as an excuse to become head shy; why should they if it is done properly and at normal times you are as careful as you should be when handling the head area?
 
i have a biter, and due to her being previosly badly treated couldnt hit her, but with my other horse that is a bushy sod and will go a step to far. never nasty though, he got a sharp slap on the nose, i do not think it makes a horse headshy, although i do always make sure a few minutes after i rub the head ect, more so that they dont start thinking the hand moving to the face is going to be a slap.. if you know what i meen,

is your horse putting ears back when biting?? if its being done in a nasty way id be wary that if you do smack the horse could come back at you
 
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is your horse putting ears back when biting?? if its being done in a nasty way id be wary that if you do smack the horse could come back at you

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No she never puts her ears back at me at all - she's basically a very sweet horse. But she does still constantly have her toe up against the line and needs a firm hand generally. I suspect she is testing me.
 
or being young playing, if its not nasty, id go for a sharp slap across the nose, or if you dont like that idea make a big nose... a whistle even, the moment lips come your way, it really does only take a few times to get the message across, having a horse that is the sort of biter that flys at you and meens it.. dont let your horse get away with it.
 
I used to look after a riding school pony who nipped rather than full blown chunks out biting....... she always nipped when being groomed so I used to hold a really bristly dandy brush in the free hand nearest her head and then if she went to bite she would only get a muzzle full of bristles......

She soon gave up!!!
 
with my youngster, well he's 6 rising 7 so not that young, but he likes to nip and nibble, when he nips i tap him on his nose and say NO and point to his eye when i say no, he then stops. Its just discipline and consistency with them i think. i don't want to hit him harder because he too was roughly handled as a baby (ex racehorse)

Hope this helps!
 
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