I just got a 10 year old QH gelding. He has been spoiled with treats from the hand, poor ground training and no boundaries. He seems pretty obsessed with his mouth. Whenever he interacts with people his pushy muzzle is involved. He wants to nip, nuzzle and groom when he is bored, hungry, affectionate, playful or bossy (ie pretty much always). I've been using the dually halter to work with him and NEVER give treats. I've also used Kelly Marks' and Monty's methods for discouraging nippy and biting behavior as well as general partnership exercises like ground work and join up. I've also tried Nip Busters anti-nip sour spray. He is so food oriented that he actually liked it!
He is getting better (I've only had him a few weeks) but is still a pretty tough case. He has obviously been hit (not by me) for nipping as he will nip and pull back. He is somewhat head shy but generally a pretty confident and smart guy.
Anyone have any good ideas to help us?
Many thanks!
Lindsay
Lindsay
Keep doing what you are doing. You are using all the right methods, but like all bad habits it takes much longer to break the habit than to teach the bad habit. Consistency and patience will get the job done.
Cheers
Good evening,
I just did some more research for all of you who may be having problems with thier horses biting.
This is avery interesting theroy and I would like some of your ideas, please.
Here goes and I never thought of this before.
In horse-land the bravest, smartest and quickest horse wins. The Alpha horse is calm, self-confident adn totally unemotional.
So when a horse goes to bite and you try to smack him, the horse just gets better at eh game- he gets quicker at taking a nip and dodging the slap.
As time toes on the nips trun into bites bacause the horse gets more serious about dominating you.
Also when a horse can evoke an emotional reaction from you-surprise, anger, fear- he knows you have no chance of being Alpha.
Your are not brave,calm or smart enough. (in his eyes)
The horse is ready to do whatever it takes to maintain the Alpha position. So when a horse goes to bite try the following:
1. Go with the flow. What I mean by that is solve his needs for oral interaction. Play with his mouth a lot. Rub vigorusly with your hands, pull his lips around playfully, rub his tongue.
2. Stay out of the nip zone. Most horses do this because they are too close to you. Move away a lot ahd keep him out of your personal space.
3. DON'T SMACK THEM-BACK THEM. If they start to bite back them quickly and intentionally. This changes their mind because it is a dominat move on your part.
Good evening,
I just did some more research for all of you who may be having problems with thier horses biting.
This is avery interesting theroy and I would like some of your ideas, please.
Here goes and I never thought of this before.
In horse-land the bravest, smartest and quickest horse wins. The Alpha horse is calm, self-confident adn totally unemotional.
So when a horse goes to bite and you try to smack him, the horse just gets better at eh game- he gets quicker at taking a nip and dodging the slap.
As time toes on the nips trun into bites bacause the horse gets more serious about dominating you.
Also when a horse can evoke an emotional reaction from you-surprise, anger, fear- he knows you have no chance of being Alpha.
Your are not brave,calm or smart enough. (in his eyes)
The horse is ready to do whatever it takes to maintain the Alpha position. So when a horse goes to bite try the following:
1. Go with the flow. What I mean by that is solve his needs for oral interaction. Play with his mouth a lot. Rub vigorusly with your hands, pull his lips around playfully, rub his tongue.
2. Stay out of the nip zone. Most horses do this because they are too close to you. Move away a lot ahd keep him out of your personal space.
3. DON'T SMACK THEM-BACK THEM. If they start to bite back them quickly and intentionally. This changes their mind because it is a dominat move on your part.
Sorry about the double posting. Slip of the hand.
There is one more thing to add.
4.Put more backing into your daily interaction with the horse this will help to prove you can be an Alpha.
Hope you enjoyed this research as much as I did.
Have a good night,
Ronda :)
PS: I know Denis and lindsay are not on the forum but the question and problem was a good one and I thought this new information would help us all so I reused this post rather than type up a new one, too lazy I guess.
Why not use it if it fits?
Thanks Ronda. Good research so a great help to many of us. I do hope fiona reads this as I believe her Banjo is very much an alpha male. He is extremely unemotional and doesn't seem to be phased by much. So lots of playing with his mouth fiona, keep him out of your space with the dually and lots of backing up with the dually.