Would you buy lead rein pony that nips

[WrongLeg]

I would think it an easy fix after pony has been booped in the snoot a few times

I would buy the pony.

Apparently Frankel used to take chunks out of Sir Henry Cecil and he was a def. a good buy.

Monty Roberts recommends
“When the horse reaches to bite you, look straight ahead and tap him lightly on the shin of his leg with your foot…”

This worked for me when I was the only handler (but all horses different).

Emma Massingale makes a lot of sense on this too.

I have bitten ponies back, and I admit it worked, but I don’t want to teach them to be aggressive.

Monty Roberts has quite a strong opinion about why positive punishment at the muzzle is not the most effective approach. I’m not a disciple of join-up ect…but what he says about this makes sense to me.

 

[EventingMum]

Another thought, was there just one person around him while your children were riding? I had a small RS pony who was fine on the lead rein for our lessons but when used for some RDA lessons used to become nippy as he didn't like side walkers - I think three adults round a small pony was just too much for him.

 

[WestCoast]

If he’s a grand under the odds then invest that in getting an experienced horse person to work with you and him to fix the problem.

And absolutely no hand fed treats except catching and putting out. They are always happier when they are not worrying about whether they can get a treat off you.

 

[Bobthecob15]

This is very true, feeding treats to ponies can end in nippy ponies! We found the same with a previous one, cut out the treats altogether and no nipping.

Also depends if the cause is discomfort from saddle/back/hocks/teeth or unbalanced bobbly rider?

 

[Snow Falcon]

That's not true, so be very careful to check everything else she told you.

That was my concern too. Good advice there.

 

[Mishymoo]

Thanks everyone we have decided to buy him

 

[Lois Lame]

Monty Roberts recommends
“When the horse reaches to bite you, look straight ahead and tap him lightly on the shin of his leg with your foot…”

Shins are such delicate places - or human shins are. I always cringe a little at the thought of doing this. A muzzle is soft and a hand is softish. A bump on the muzzle with a hand seems kinder to me. just saying

 

[Lois Lame]

I have bitten ponies back, and I admit it worked, but I don’t want to teach them to be aggressive.

Monty Roberts has quite a strong opinion about why positive punishment at the muzzle is not the most effective approach. I’m not a disciple of join-up ect…but what he says about this makes sense to me.

I think biting a horse doesn't make sense. It puts our delicate mouths, heads and teeth in harm's way. Plus, it seems more personal to me. I know some Australian male - an eventer - apparently bites his horse. Weird.


i wouldn't think something was right just because MR or someone said it was.

 

[Lois Lame]

Another thought, was there just one person around him while your children were riding? I had a small RS pony who was fine on the lead rein for our lessons but when used for some RDA lessons used to become nippy as he didn't like side walkers - I think three adults round a small pony was just too much for him.

I can imagine this. It would seem invasive of personal space. It could also be too many bosses. More than one boss is a pain in the neck.

 

[asmp]

Some RDA ponies over the years have nipped the leader, they know the leader can't do a lot about it with a disabled rider on top. They also tend to only do it with particular leaders, usually it's pretty harmless. If everything else about the pony is what you want, I would buy it and train it not to nip the leader but it doesn't sound as if it nips in any other circumstances.

Mine nips occasionally while I’m doing RDA with him. I swear he knows that I can’t tell him off!

 

[EventingMum]

Thanks everyone we have decided to buy him

Pics required when you get him - that's the rules!!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Mine nips occasionally while I’m doing RDA with him. I swear he knows that I can’t tell him off!

The Shetland I used to lead at RDA if I wasn’t quick enough off the mark to be assigned to another pony used to nip the back of my calves. It ruddy hurt! Little toe rag knew he was untouchable while working.