Pony who nips

[irishredwood]

How do I stop my pony nipping. We have had him a year and the problem is getting worse. He is no longer ridden for health reasons and didn't do it quite so much when he was on work. He gets lots of turnout with my other horses and is the bottom if the pecking order in the field. I have reprimanded him, I have tried to ignore him. Any other ideas?

 

[EllenJay]

Don't ever feed treats by hand. When he nips, give him an immediate consequence - something like making him turn in a tight circle. Keep it consistent and he will learn that a nip brings hard work

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If he nips, immediately give him a good hard pinch on his neck/shoulder. That is exactly what another horse would do. If he is bottom of the pecking order in the herd, he is trying to push you below him, don't let him do that. Tbh, I don't think there is any correlation between hand feeding appropriately and ponies nipping, unless he is 'asking' for a treat..

 

[EllenJay]

If he nips, immediately give him a good hard pinch on his neck/shoulder. That is exactly what another horse would do. If he is bottom of the pecking order in the herd, he is trying to push you below him, don't let him do that. Tbh, I don't think there is any correlation between hand feeding appropriately and ponies nipping, unless he is 'asking' for a treat..

I think it depends on horse and owner if there is a correlation between feeding by hand and treats. Imagine the scenerio, a horse does something the human likes, so the human treats by hand. The next time the horse replicates the behaviour, the human doesn't treat as quickly, so horse nudges human gently, human then treats. The next day the scenario is replicated but human doesn't treat by hand, so horse gets a bit stronger in his demands for his reward. This will escalate to a nip. Basically, when the horse demands just a bit more they get rewarded. It's a learned behaviour, so for nippy horses the reward for good behaviour is a scratch and release.
Once you have set the boundary's then you can start retreating by hand, but you need the boundary's in place first

Also, should add, PaS you strike me as an experienced horse woman, and would never let a horse nip

 

[Lois Lame]

I'd give a bop on the nose if a horse bit me.

 

[Lois Lame]

I'm making a mess of my post. I think I need more coffee.

 

[Equi]

There isn't enough context in this post to say what should/could be done. When is the pony nipping? What are you doing to the pony when it goes to nip?

 

[honetpot]

I think some do its for 'fun'. I have two A's and its a bit of gotcha for them, most of the time I can prevent it, but when they do make contact they know perfectly well I am not pleased. One is twenty three and I have had him since he was three, he never nipped the children, he was worse when he was young, I think it's the equivalent of poking your tongue out at an authority figure. I just wonder if he knows he is getting a reaction from you, if he's low down the pecking order. My old boy, to be honest I am just glad I provide him with some amusement, no one else wants to play with him, and getting in the feed room and ducking under the electric fence is his only entertainment.

 

[Leandy]

It depends a bit when it is happening but, generally - Don't feed treats by hand ever. Don't let pony chew clothes etc or nuzzle for attention ever, just push away firmly and ignore. Don't give the pony the opportunity to nip ie tie up short when tacking up/grooming/mucking out etc if it happens then. Grill on stable door if he nips passers by. If he still manages to nip, immediate sharp reprimand, quick sharp slap on nose and a firm "no". Good timing is necessary. Zero tolerance and complete consistency from everyone handling the pony and it will stop very soon.

 

[Gingerwitch]

It depends a bit when it is happening but, generally - Don't feed treats by hand ever. Don't let pony chew clothes etc or nuzzle for attention ever, just push away firmly and ignore. Don't give the pony the opportunity to nip ie tie up short when tacking up/grooming/mucking out etc if it happens then. Grill on stable door if he nips passers by. If he still manages to nip, immediate sharp reprimand, quick sharp slap on nose and a firm "no". Good timing is necessary. Zero tolerance and complete consistency from everyone handling the pony and it will stop very soon.

Sorry agree with everything but the sharp slap on nose, neck yes, shoulder yes.nose no saw a horse do some pretty serious damage to its head when sharp slapped on the nose almost pole axed itself.on top of stable door que one very headshy horse that was virtually impossible.to.tack.up or put a bead collar on. It also has to be moved stables as it was flipping dangerous as she rushed so much in and out the stable.
up

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I think some do its for 'fun'. I have two A's and its a bit of gotcha for them, most of the time I can prevent it, but when they do make contact they know perfectly well I am not pleased. One is twenty three and I have had him since he was three, he never nipped the children, he was worse when he was young, I think it's the equivalent of poking your tongue out at an authority figure. I just wonder if he knows he is getting a reaction from you, if he's low down the pecking order. My old boy, to be honest I am just glad I provide him with some amusement, no one else wants to play with him, and getting in the feed room and ducking under the electric fence is his only entertainment.

The RDA group, I volunteer with used to have a very experienced pony who nipped any handler when he had an RDA rider on board, because he knew you couldn't do much about it, in case he dropped the rider. He never even tried to nip without an RDA rider. It was just a game to him. "Little Treasure" as his owner used to say.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I find that if it happens when leading, a sharp elbow in the shoulder helps.
I would then prepare for a 'next time' by popping a grazing muzzle on. We do this with one v naughty pony at RDA, muzzle goes on at start of session so pony can be led by average helper, muzzle comes off when tack comes off, pony then handled by experienced person.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The RDA group, I volunteer with used to have a very experienced pony who nipped any handler when he had an RDA rider on board, because he knew you couldn't do much about it, in case he dropped the rider. He never even tried to nip without an RDA rider. It was just a game to him. "Little Treasure" as his owner used to say.

I think that every RDA group has one of these .

*remembers guarding my calves when leading a certain shetland*

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I find that if it happens when leading, a sharp elbow in the shoulder helps.
I would then prepare for a 'next time' by popping a grazing muzzle on. We do this with one v naughty pony at RDA, muzzle goes on at start of session so pony can be led by average helper, muzzle comes off when tack comes off, pony then handled by experienced person.

The pony had originally been a lead-rein show pony, with the owner's children; you can't put a muzzle on them, unfortunately

 

[Gingerwitch]

The pony had originally been a lead-rein show pony, with the owner's children; you can't put a muzzle on them, unfortunately

What the children lol ?

 

[irishredwood]

Thanks everyone for your input. He used to be very difficult to put a headcollar on as he wanted to get it in his mouth. This has improved by us getting it on quickly. He usually bites when being groomed or rugged. He is not fed treats. I wonder if he is a bit bored now he is no longer in work.

 

[Orangehorse]

Yes, I have an ex riding school leading rein pony who gives the occasional sly nip. Not all the time, just occasionally, just to keep me on my toes! Since I realised I am more prepared for it and he doesn't do it much now. He is also an "in your pocket" type pony.

 

[Mildlander]

My mare will swing her head round to nip when being groomed, rugged or girthed up when her ulcers are playing up. She's telling me she's uncomfortable and to be aware. Never does it otherwise. Just a thought

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I had a chap out to one of mine for another reason but this one didn't nip, he would bite. The chap asked me to show him what I did so I showed him. Definitely not the way to go so he showed me what to do. The horse went to bite him so he smartly smacked him straight across the nose. The horse shot back. He said leave him a little while for the consequence to sink in. Then go rub his head and carry on what you were doing. It seemed really harsh to me but it really worked. You need to leave a little time for the consequence to sink in, then ways make friends and carry on. No voice was used either.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I had a chap out to one of mine for another reason but this one didn't nip, he would bite. The chap asked me to show him what I did so I showed him. Definitely not the way to go so he showed me what to do. The horse went to bite him so he smartly smacked him straight across the nose. The horse shot back. He said leave him a little while for the consequence to sink in. Then go rub his head and carry on what you were doing. It seemed really harsh to me but it really worked. You need to leave a little time for the consequence to sink in, then ways make friends and carry on. No voice was used either.

There circumstances under which you would not want the pony to shoot back. I would never recommend smacking the head, or any part of it but certainly retribution should be swift, in fact instantaneous if possible

 

[Flowerofthefen]

There circumstances under which you would not want the pony to shoot back. I would never recommend smacking the head, or any part of it but certainly retribution should be swift, in fact instantaneous if possible

We were in the school sorting another issue so safe. After having horses for umpteen years this was the only effective treatment I have seen. Short sharp and not needing to be repeated many times. Horse never became head shy as he knew why he had been reprimanded. Cant stand this pinching back or slapping on neck etc. Completely pointless.

 

[Suncat]

We were in the school sorting another issue so safe. After having horses for umpteen years this was the only effective treatment I have seen. Short sharp and not needing to be repeated many times. Horse never became head shy as he knew why he had been reprimanded. Cant stand this pinching back or slapping on neck etc. Completely pointless.

I'd agree, especially for safety issues a short, sharp, clear reprimand saves both parties discomfort later on. Its how another horse would deal with this. And as Fern007 says... be wise and pick your moment. If the horse is in an enclosed or low hanging space, its not the time.
I was taught the same in approach - be VERY clear when something is unacceptable. Quick, meaningful reprimand, stand quietly for a moment to let it sink in, then forgive and reward the acceptance. I was also told (when needed and you can reach safely) to catch them right under the lower/jaw chin. Avoids the sensitive face, there's no need for force, its the placing, as its (apparently?) where mare's catch foals to reprimand them by swinging their heads round and up. I keep it in my back pocket as it normally has a real effect, even on oldies = stunned pause... YOU KNOW MY MUM!!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We were in the school sorting another issue so safe. After having horses for umpteen years this was the only effective treatment I have seen. Short sharp and not needing to be repeated many times. Horse never became head shy as he knew why he had been reprimanded. Cant stand this pinching back or slapping on neck etc. Completely pointless.

We shall have to agree to differ. I have certainly never advocated pinching a horse's back but I would always prefer pinching the neck to slapping the nose. I will say that whatever method if correction/retribution is used I think its effectiveness depends more on the horse's belief that the handler means what they say than anything else!

 

[honetpot]

Before will got our little nipper at three, two adults had loaned him for showing, and they had tried smacking him across the head, and it just made him worse and head shy. After three months the loaners who were experienced horses owners gave him back, his owner was left with a pony she couldn't manage, so I bought him for meat money.
Some ponies are just so smart, they are quite capable of learning what winds people up. My method was to avoid and ignore most of it, tying him up very short, and basically as long as did not touch my skin, he could rag my clothes and I would pay no attention. At three the habit was ingrained and what ever was going on his brain, a smack did not out way the pleasure he got from humans reaction to his naughtiness. As I said before he never bit the children, he hunted, did PC, was broken to drive, and was an all round children's pony, and older children who loaned him got a lot of fun out his antics, as he is game for anything.
I used to buy colts, usually they were about ten months to two years, some will have a nip, and you can if you are quick give them a sharp slap on the muzzle, and that with appropriate training in keeping out of the handlers space this usually stops it, I have honestly never had to do it twice. They have usually had poor handling and the nipping is trying to put the human in their place.
I think there is something else going on with the OP pony, as its suddenly got worse, and I would be looking at what could have changed to have caused it.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Somebody who thought they knew better than me tried to reprimand DP once by pinching his chest. He promptly bit her arm and quite honestly I don’t blame him and he’s never done it again.

B is my one that bites, he was awful when he first arrived and I wondered what the heck I’d bought but I quickly worked out it is his default mode when he feels stressed. He rarely does it these days and if he tries to nip he gets a voice reprimand but the last thing I do is smack him. He’s doing it for a reason and it’s my job to work out what the tigger is and remove him or it.

 

[Orangehorse]

One stud groom said that she used to have a handy curry comb in her hand, so that is what they met. It was always that the horse met the curry comb, she would never go to use it on them.

 

[JackFrost]

I have known nipping as a way to communicate anxiety. If he is bottom of the pecking order this might apply, if he is being bullied or is unsettled in the herd. Also, is he being bitten a lot himself? Try to work out why he is doing it - but you might have to go on your gut feeling a bit.

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

for our one that nips occasionally it depends who he was with. with an unexperienced person he thought he could bully he would often nip them. he used to on me but i give him a loud reprimand "ah ah ah ah ah" or something and suddenly flap my arms so he gets a fright or feels like he's being told off. we used to pinch him but that wore off eventually. good luck! it really is a horrible habit for them to pick up (his had nothing to do with treats i don't think and feeding by hand has ever provided a nipping issue with the others either)