yearling biting and handling advice

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little_rou

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This also posted in 'Breeding' but havent had any responces yet ....


.... first question, and am not sure if this is a stupid one, but I am entirely inexperienced with youngsters, so here goes...

yearling has in the last week started biting, constant biting, Hes never been fed from the hand.

my instinct is to smack his shoulder and tell him 'no' but a friend has told me thats the worst possible idea. She hasnt however been able to give me advice on what I should do

so help please, best advice on what to do in this circumstance?

secound question....because of the set up with his owner, I do have to handle him quite often, so any other tips appreciated. I feel I tend to treat him with kids gloves, as hes such a baby, but I dont want to create problems for his future by letting him develop bad habits/behaviour


Please before I get the 'you shouldnt have a youngster if you dont know what your doing' hes not mine!! just happens to be in one of my fields!!


Thanks
 
Awww I do love young 'uns but I hate the biting too... I've just given them something to chew in the past. I know someone who used to give them dog toys to chew on. Also when learning to tie, there is an old rope hanging so they can chew on that. It's just a phase, but the need to chew is very overwhelwing. I think the key is to divert the chewing attention away from your arm, hands, fingers...
 
Agree with tallyho! You just have to avoid getting bitten, learn to keep yourself out of his reach so that he can't bite you. Ignore him when he does bite. When leading him, hold the lead rope up under his chin so you have more control of his head.

They grow out of it. I don't wallop them as it doesn't stop them and just makes them headshy.
 
Thanks for the replies. he only does it when hes being led in and out of the field, and if Ihold him by thr head collar under his chin that makes him much worse!! I think it could be him trying to avoid my control of his head?

He does like to chew - had thought it could just be a phase as I have been told youngsters like to 'mouth' everything, I just dont want to get hurt in the process!!
 
How big is he and has he been castrated?

Sounds like he has not been taught basic ground rules and knows nothing about respect (obviously that's not your fault) How does he behave with his owner?
 
Mine was exactly the same - I got him as a 15 mth old last summer and he is a swine for trying to nip whilst being led. I had a lady come help me with handling and give me general tips. She said it can be due to balance so showed me some techniques to help him balance himself - ie slowing his walking down, asking him to walk on, stand, back up, stand etc etc. It did work quite well and I still practice them now and he's improving. he definitely tried to bit more when walking him downhill as he found it hard to not just run so I would get the brunt of his frustration/discomfort.

I also (to protect myself a little more) carried a rattle bottle with me - ie a plastic water bottle filled with some stones. I sharp shake of that when he tried to nip would stop him. He still does try it now so it's a case of being aware. I would definitely try the rattle bottle - then you are not hitting them (which can just make them bite more anyway) but they associate the biting with an unpleasant/scary sound instead.

I also praise mine whne he does walk steadily beside me and I continue to ask him to halt and step back (by asking for back and lightly tapping his front legs with a whip) when I am leading him and I feel he's getting infront of the movement as it were.
 
he stands currently around 13.2hh (ish at a guess, I havent measured him)

Hes 13 months old and hasnt been castrated yet, he was due to be done a couple of weeks ago but one hasnt 'dropped' so vet advised to leave it a few more months and see if it comes down by itself.

His owner got him a month ago, and I dont think hes had much done with him before she bought him. he doesnt do this soo much with her - maybe he sees me as a play thing? interestingly the track from the yard to his field is on a hill so will maybe look into the balance idea.

Thanks for all your suggestions, Im soo afraid of getting it wrong and causing issues for him and his owner further down the line.

one thing I love about horses is you never stop learning :)

Thanks
 
I had this problem too - it has gone now thankfully !

He used to do a test nip to see haw I would react, I put it down to being playfull really as he behaved in a very simalar fashion with his buddys in the field

I just used to make a noise and flap when he tried it on and he reallised it wasn't really much fun - something that was suggested to me was an empty can in your hand with dried peas or gravel in and shake it at them .............someone else said carry a nail and poke him in the face with it ( I didn't go with that one !!)
 
Agree with a small plastic bottle with some gravel in it - this is also good for getting them out of your personal space when you are negotiating gates etc. Yearlings are like children and feel more safe if they have boundaries set for them. You may need to come down hard occasionally if he tests you but he won't hate you for it and neither will he hold a grudge. Just remember that he's learning... finding out what he is and isn't allowed to do. My rising-two cob pushed his luck a little too far with the biting thing when he was younger and got a short, sharp but VERY instantaneous slap on the nose for his trouble. Contrary to popular belief, it didn't make him head shy or terrified of me but it did mean that he thought twice about trying it again.

I did the "explosion of anger" thing when he reared once..... he's never reared since but is the most lovable, docile, cuddly gorgeous boy.....
 
I studied my foal with her mum, and she did get some stick (bite on bum) when too keen to grab the teat, or when she went too far away, so do not worry that you will be too hard on them they are used to being pushed around, and a shove or a smack is the same as a bite, just do it quickly and don't make a fuss. Most foals and young-stock do well when handled by farmers who are big and strong and used to dealing with un-handled animals like young cows, just be obvious and consistent.
 
I've had lots of youngsters and they all go through this phase, so firstly don't panic.

Personally if they nip at me I pinch their noses, just on the edge of the nostril. I don't use nails or anything, just a little "nip" back with my fore finger and thumb. However, you need to be careful, the worst thing you can do is raise your hand to their face, you'll make him headshy which is the last thing you want, so you need to be on the watch for him as he's about to bite and have your hand there ready. Mine learn at only a couple of days old through this method that to "groom" me is fine, but to nip is not. This is exactly what their mothers team them if you watch, foals will groom, and then nip, and then be scowled/ snapped at my their mums.

Re chewing ropes instead, yes this can work, but then they're always trying to grab the rope as you lead them... lesser of two evils tho, just be aware! My two year old is obsessed with chewing her rope and now she's started wearing tack i'm teaching her a "no" command before she starts chewing leather!

Oh yes, and having him gelded will def help too :0)
 
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