Monty's method is an immediate negative consequence: a kick with your boot to the cannon bone. You must be ready with your foot and in this age it is a very soft kick that does not hurt. It works very well. The idea is to not apply the response to the head but to a different part of the body.

Thank you. Quick question is could I use a ridding crap insted of kicking him? When he does bite I do tap his sholder with my hand hard enough to push him away but not to cause any pain. I also say with a firm NO. Is that the right thing to do?? OR am I doing it wrong.

christenarosehorses
I assume you mean a riding crop although a loth of people think they are crap. The distraction has to be almost instantaneously that is why using your foot to tap the horse on the shin or pastern is the quickest.It also causes the horse to change his position. He will either pick up his foot or move it away from you. It is a subtle movement and is more effective than using a riding crop or your hand. If you are holding him on a lead line I would tap his shin then make him back quickly 3 or 4 steps then turn and walk quickly forward. Your horse should then be very responsive to you but not fearful. Eventually he will quit biting or nipping. I have been bitten twice by my horse but both times it was his reaction to pain induced by my vet taking care of an open wound. He received not correction for his biting since he was not trying to dominate me but rather wanted to get away and I was holding him.

I did learn two things for his biting me. One, a horse can bit you very quickly and very severely and second don't hold the horses head and be in front of him. You are going to be bit. Standing by his shoulder and holding the halter is much safer. Being a slow learner at times it took two sever bites for me to figure that one out

Cheers

I am sorry I meant to say crop not crap. I was posting that in a hurry and need to slow down before posting. Guess I really need to read before I post. When I am working with the baby I am working on my knees, so I can work with him better. he stands around 2 feet at the shoulder, so it would be hard to kick him. I have found that if I send him away like if I was in the round pen, he well go a way but comes right back and bites. I am at the point I found my self hitting his shoulders or rump harder each time he bites.

christenarosehorses
Being down on your knees puts you at a real disadvantage your horse can move a lot quicker than you. I reread you post and I overlooked the fact that you have a 3 month old baby. If he has been weaned he may have been pulled of his mom a little early
I really would not hit you horse to correct the problem if you are down that low rap him with your knuckles on his shin or his leg. It should be a quick rap be not hard. This will divert his attention and make him move his feet. As long as he moves away from you he cannot really bite. What happens if you put you finger in his mouth at the side. Does he mouth your finger or does he pull away? If he is mouthing your finger you are triggering his sucking reflex as if he were still on hiss mother. If this is happening you will need to give him lots of attention but very few commands Also make sure he gets plenty of excercise.

Good luck and have fun with the baby

Cheers

Tapping the shin really works.
When I first rescued Star she tried that bitting with me but I responded immediately by tapping her shin and she only did it a few times after that.
I realize the horse is small but your feet are close to the ground.
Be gentle but firm with the Tapping.
Ronda