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Horse Behavior and Training

Difficult behaviour on the ground

By:

Ali

Date:

2012-Nov-26 at 08:50PM

I have a 6 year old appaloosa who is very bright and a pleasure to ride however his behaviour on the ground is not so good! He constantly tries to bite when picking up his front feet and when leading him in from the field. When he is in the stable he puts his ears flat back when he sees you and can again try to bite. I always use the dually and school when he tries to bite me but i've had him now over 10mths and his behavour doesn't change. Will he always just be this way (is this his personality)or does anyone have any ideas how i can change him???

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia 2012-Nov-27 at 02:26AM

Ali are you using the dually correctly? For a horse that tries to nip like this you need to hold the halter lead close to the clip that is attached to the discipline ring on the dually and with your elbow locked and a straight arm you need to give a very strong tug as soon as he goes to nip. Also back him up with the dually in the same way as this will teach him to respect you. Check out the Horsemanship Essential videos on Horse and Country TV and watch some of the videos on the use of the dually with Kelly Marks - they are excellent. We have also discussed this problem at length on other forum entries so you may like to do a forum search for these. It is so important to use the dually appropriately if it is going to be effective for discipline. You should definitely be able to correct this problem with the dually so good luck with it.

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia 2012-Nov-27 at 02:32AM

Previous Forum discussions for example see Hlene's entry August 30 'dually halter, biting on backing up'

Ali 2012-Dec-08 at 09:26AM

Thanks for that - using the daully that way really helps! Anyone any ideas for how to stop biting when in the stable and also cow kicking when being groomed??

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia 2012-Dec-09 at 01:56AM

I would just discipline with the dually for these problems too. To teach them to stand still and not to attempt to bit when saddling, picking out hooves and grooming I usually tie them up with the halter ring on the dually and then attach another lead rope to the discipline ring which I keep in my hand or tucked under my arm. Any movement or kicking at these times can then be immediately corrected with a quick tug. Standing still is so important when you are handling them for these chores. Good luck and have fun.

vicci - UK (North Wales) 2012-Dec-09 at 04:20PM

Only one thing to add to the above: check how you are grooming, some horses have sensitive skin and find grooming irritating, especially short, firm and fast strokes - try slower, lighter, and longer strokes to see if that helps him relax. On the other hand, if its when you touch his legs it might be the opposite, and you are being over gentle and it tickles ;-) Finding the right pressure is important. An arm extension can help get him used to his legs being handled without him achieving the success of kicking you away (keeps you safe and it the arm doesn't go away just because he kicked it)