Stopping a 4 year old from biting

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

Having now sort of sorted problem number 1 with Hovis - he and Sidney are getting on much better and have stopped trying to kill each other - and problem number 2 - he'll just about lift his feet up without booting me in the process, we've now hit problem number 3. Biting.
He's mouthed at people from the day we got him (he's 4 and we've had him 7 weeks) but he's now nipping. Now I tell him off and even give him a smack on the shoulder and he stops. Then does it again 5 minutes later. He's particularly bad when you're doing anything with his headcollar.
He's not chewing on anything in the stable or in the field so don't think its his teeth or anything but the message just isn't getting through. I don't want to scare him but equally don't want 1/2 a ton of teeth on legs. Any suggestions / advice of anything else I can try?

 

[K9Wendy]

When our mare was younger she would have nipped, and being head shy (think previous owner must have slapped her face for it) we didn't slap her for it. Instead we would do the most blood curdling scream, bad enough that it would send her reeling back in horror and the bitting stopped! Might be worth a go..

 

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

I'll try anything! I'd never hit him in the face for that very reason - I don't want a head shy horse thats frightened but equally he needs to learn some manners. He's a cyldesdale cross so is a big bugger.

 

[MagicMelon]

How about just making a loud horrible noise. Like what they do on that dog program, if they do something undesirable you clap loudly and make a nasty high pitched noise! Seemed to work on one of mine when he went though a stage of nipping.

I also went through your problem number 2, you'll get there in the end! Took lots of practice before mine would pick up his feet without kicking me!

 

[ladyt25]

I agree with the dog training sort of method, our 4 yr old was a bit of a sod for nipping when we got him (think he's just over-inquisitive and testing what he could get away with!). Don't like to slap them for obvious reasons but a sharp loud "ah ah" sort of noise (as per with dogs) seems to be good. Also no treats from your hand. We also persisted on stroking his fac and neck (that's when he tried to nip) to sort of condition him to not bite.

He is 7 now and doesn't do it anymore - although he does hav a penchant for using his rubber bucket as a chew/throw toy and a tendency to grab the odd coat toggle, you just have to be on your guard and we put it down to his personality!

My other horse also has a very 'inquisitive mouth' - has never bitten but he is the fastest horse I've ever seen unbolt a stable door!!!

 

[dozzie]

You could try a muzzle. Then you can just ignore the biting and get on with gaining his trust. It will also make you feel less worried and this should transmit to him. You just have to be careful that he cant catch it on anything. Ive used one for two horses, one worked a treat and the other one it didnt. So I would say its a last resort if other things fail!

 

[dozzie]

Just had another thought is he may have teeth issues at this age as they can still be losing milk teeth? And also was he recently gelded? Could be coltish behaviour too.

Hope you get it sorted!

 

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

Our dentist is due out soon to see Sidney so i will get him to look at Hovis just in case it is teething issues.
He's not scaring me but I have now got a few interesting bruises where he's caught me. He's really really inquisitive so likely he's pushing his boundaries but I still want to get him under control whilst not scaring him.

 

[checkmate1]

I agree with above, make a really load noise "Ow" or something if he bites you/go to bite, look him in the eye, try and make your self big and scarey! (hopefully not to scare him but so he realises you are herd leader and that sort of behaviour is not on!). Also don't give him treats, if you do? (ALthough its hard, i vowed I wouldnt give my 3 year old treats when i got her- what do i do?! I'll be sorry when she bites me or starts headbutting me and going through my pockets!!)

 

[Petrie]

You're not alone, my youngster does this too. It's normal baby/coltish behaviour. Mine was cut late, so he is particularly colty. He grabs everything: buckets, clothes, hats, dogs, farriers. And yes, getting a headcollar on without him grabbing and holding onto some part of it is nearly impossible!

Mostly, it's just mouthing and trying to hold things, but he will try a nip now and again, especially if you're chatting to someone, or just not paying him enough attention. When he doees nip me, my first reaction is to slap him, but I've found this seems to encourage him and I think he thinks it's a game. His eyes light up and he'll come back for another go.

I have found the best way, as some have said above, is to make a loud, unpleasant noise (ah-ah, being the most effective, I find!) It makes him shoot off out the way, and he'll look at me with some new found respect! Love it!

It certainly seems to work, but he's always going to be a cheeky one.

I guess you've got to think, what would his mother do to him in the herd if he tried to nip[ her? She'd squeal very loudly, lunge at him with her ears back, and maybe turn her bum on him and give a pretend kick. I think I can do one of the three, anyway!

 

[Shilasdair]

I'd try a few things, but firstly, I'm assuming he's been gelded.
1. Put a piece of wood or a branch of apple or similar in his stable/field for him to gnaw on if he's teething.
2. When he goes to bite, say 'no' or equally impressive loud noise, then send him away from you by prodding or nipping his neck (think of your hand like another horse's mouth and 'bite' him with it)
3. Don't let him come back to you til he's a bit more submissive.
4. The old books would suggest you either slap him or pull a whisker when he does it...but in my experience the former can be difficult to time...and the latter requires more quick co-ordination than I can muster.
5. Don't give him any treats, and make him back away whilst you put his feed bucket down for him, or hang his haynet up.
Good luck - if all of these don't work, you could pull all his teeth out...then you'll only get gummed...although weight loss could be a problem

S

 

[BeckyD]

Your boy sounds just like mine. I haven't tried the loud noises, will try that from now on. He just gets his teeth round anything that passes. Doesn't seem to bite in an inflicting pain way, just wants to chew/nip. Getting a headcollar on is tedious.

I've gone through more leadropes/ haynets/ headcollars than I'd like to count.

 

[ladyt25]

Think my horse read this post (who knows what they do at night!?) and consequently he picked up his bucket (as per usual) when i was mucking out and smacked me right in the face with it! Noe I have a most attractive bump near my eye!

Wonderful animals aren't they - me and him have fallen out now!