Raff has started to bite/chew/nibble/eat my foot.... why?

[Bowen4Horses]

raff is VERY playful, and is renowned for it. he escapes from his stable, he puts buckets on his head, he pushes over wheelbarrows, he steals the fork when i'm mucking out... etc etc.

he also isn't a fan of being rugged up. he used to run away when he saw the rug and run round in circles etc. after lots of patience, i am now able to put his rug on and he stands still (bit of growling sometimes needed).

however, he has now started to really nibble at my feet as i'm doing it. not bite them in an agressive manner, but not quite playing either. i've discouraged it by stamping my feet and growling at him. and it seems to have done the trick...

... i was just wondering why he did this? does anyone know?

i remember someone on here posting (the funniest post i've EVER read on here) about how her horse chewed her laces and lifted her up in the air by her feet... so i wondered if other people are familier with this foot chewing?

is it a passive way of being naughty? is it just cos i wear short boots and he can get hold of the side of them?

 

[Laafet]

Most of our TB yearlings do it so some degree, along with boot licking etc. I don't see it as being naughty, just make sure that they don't get too into it and grab a proper hold.

 

[vhf]

I had a little TB once with a foot fetish. He never bit, just seemed fascinated. He checked any new person he met by looking at/licking their footwear, and would sometimes nibble my toes. We were pretty certain he clocked when anyone familiar had new boots...

I wondered whether to him, people's feet smell most strongly of their individual smell, so it was how he "knew" people? If so, maybe your feet are the most "you" thing he can think of to take revenge on??

 

[3Beasties]

Charlie likes to chew on my boot (or whip) when I am sat on him but not moving (if I'm talking to someone), I always thinks it's his way of saying 'come on mum, get a move on!'

 

[Bowen4Horses]

oh good... he's not the only one then
p.s. vhf... are you implying my feet smell? how rude!

 

[vhf]

Not at all - to him it might be the best perfume out!

 

[mickey]

My horse likes to pull my toggles on coats etc. He is playful so I am sure that is what causes it. He also chases people around wheelbarrows when they are poo picking. Probably a playful thing I expect.

 

[TicTac]

All the young horses at work like to ' investigate' everything including my hair, coat and boots. Youngsters are very inquisitive and tactile, that's how they learn. Obviously don't let him get into the habit of biting or chewing everything but be firm and fair in discouraging too much interest!