Yearling - Biting/Mouthing?

[domane]

When does "mouthing" become "biting"? I have a yearling coblet who mouths everything he can reach - ropes, headcollars, my keys hanging off my belt, ME! Now I did have a baby coblet before and I can remember him being similar so I'm guessing this is normal behaviour? How much should I tolerate? Is it something ALL youngsters do and grow out of? Should I be distracting him or just letting him investigate in the way he knows (except if he's investigating me!)? Unfortunately the lady who had him for 6 months before me was fond of feeding her boys a bag of carrots by hand so this hasn't helped matters at all. I don't feed him any hand treats and I just keep my hands and arms busy around him to prevent temptation as I don't want to have to chastise him - or get bitten - so I'm just trying to avoid him being able to take a hold and concentrating on praising him when he's good and ignoring the bad rather than punishing him at this early age/stage in our friendship!!

He's very friendly around humans, confident almost to the point of cockiness so I think I need to keep a close eye on him whilst he's still only 13 hands as I think he would suss easily that he could get right into your personal space and train me to move around without knowing I'm doing it. I've only had him for 3 weeks, during which time he's been gelded so his testosterone is still subsiding too. It's very difficult to find the right balance of getting to know him/gaining his trust yet not being a pushover or allowing him to nip me.

Sorry, I've digressed. Tell me that the mouthing is normal for his age?

 

[Hoofprints in the Snow]

I pinch my youngster on the neck if he bites, but I started this when he was very young and learnt not to bite early on. Horses give a quick nip to youngsters and don't hold grudges so it might not be too late to try this method.

 

[Hoofprints in the Snow]

Sorry forgot to add that it is normal for them to invetigate things with their mouths, be kind to him but a very quick repremand when they are cheeky and bite you will teach him respect for humans. Mine knows I love him to bits (I think) he is gentle and loves attention but knows he is not the boss.