| Horse biting is a serious problem for the horse owner. | | | | many horses, especially young horses, bite as part of |
| It can cause a major bruise or even broken bones. | | | | the games they play among each other. Smacking a |
| Dealing with the problem in the heat of the moment | | | | horse biting in this context can backfire. The horse will |
| often results in a smack to the horse, but surprisingly | | | | play harder and may engage in a game of trying to |
| that's unlikely to solve it. So, why do horses bite and | | | | dodge your smacks and sneak in a bite. Smacking a |
| what can we do about it? What we'll find out is that | | | | defiant horse is likely to make him more aggressive. |
| the reason the horse bites really doesn't matter. | | | | 4. Don't over-feed treats |
| 1. Understand why horses bite | | | | Believe it or not over-feeding treats can create biting |
| The fact is biting is completely natural for horses, for a | | | | horses. Prey animals aren't motivated by food the |
| lot of reasons. Horses use biting for play, as a defense | | | | same way dogs are, and continuously feeding a horse |
| mechanism, or for dominance. They bite amongst | | | | treats will make him pushy and demanding. There is a |
| each other and if you're not the "alpha" of your herd | | | | time for treats, but use them sparingly and don't try to |
| they may be prone to bite you too. | | | | use treats to shape behavior. |
| The bottom line is a horse may bite out of fear or lack | | | | 5. Establish leadership |
| of trust, because of past abuse by humans (making | | | | Dealing with the biting horse comes down to |
| him feel threatened in certain circumstances) or out of | | | | establishing leadership and earning respect. Alpha |
| simple disrespect. A lack of confidence by the handler | | | | horses don't get bit by the other horses. Your role as a |
| that horses pick up in body language can also make | | | | horse owner is to establish yourself as the alpha in |
| biting more likely. | | | | your herd. This is a permanent way to fix the biting |
| 2. Maintain personal space | | | | horse. If he truly sees you as the confident alpha, he |
| One of the most fundamental things you can teach | | | | won't bite you, regardless of the reason he would try |
| your horse on the ground is maintaining personal | | | | to otherwise. |
| space. Imagine a bubble around your body that the | | | | If you have a biting horse then its time to get back to |
| horse is not allowed to enter. Then follow a simple rule- | | | | basics with your training. The first step is to include a |
| you can enter the personal space of the horse, but he | | | | few sessions in the round pen. At liberty round pen |
| can never enter yours. This simple rule is part of | | | | training is one of the best ways to establish leadership, |
| establishing leadership with your horse, as the alpha | | | | earn respect, and build trust with a horse. Often this |
| you're entitled to it. But it's more than just a part of | | | | may be all that's needed to start eliminating biting |
| horse training for leadership, maintaining some personal | | | | problems. |
| space is necessary for basic safety. If a horse is too | | | | Leading a horse-done properly-is also another |
| close he can knock you down on the ground, trample | | | | important exercise to earn respect. Work in a few |
| you, or of course he can bite you. All of these things | | | | training sessions where you actually walk backwards |
| are less likely if the horse always maintains a few feet | | | | away from your horse. This has a powerful effect on |
| of distance. | | | | the mind and emotions of the horse, because she'll see |
| Teach the horse to stay out your personal space by | | | | that you're always out in front of her. Walk backwards |
| backing him up and using proper leading techniques. | | | | and occasionally ask for stops by raising both hands |
| Don't hold the lead rope right up next to the halter, hold | | | | and exhaling. Look to see how she is paying attention. |
| it a couple of feet down. Make sure your horse | | | | If both eyes aren't focused on you, then she isn't being |
| doesn't walk out in front of you or go past you when | | | | attentive. Bump the rope to bring both eyes on you. |
| you stop. Back him up every time he gets within your | | | | Also work on leading from the mid-section or hip, |
| personal bubble. By maintaining a bit of personal space, | | | | which is more properly called "driving". Driving a horse |
| we make it less likely the horse can strike out and bite. | | | | is a more dominant activity and will help you get in a |
| 3. Punishment only works over the short term | | | | position where the horse respects you-so is less likely |
| If you get bit by a horse you might have an impulse to | | | | to bite. |
| smack him. And the truth is, there might be certain | | | | Finally, it's a good idea to spend more time lunging, |
| emergency situations where you'll have to, like if he's | | | | working on having the horse change speed and |
| biting down hard on a finger. But punishment should be | | | | direction on command. The idea is to get the horse |
| avoided if possible. Smacking a horse isn't going to | | | | listening to your commands. This helps establish your |
| teach him to stop biting for a few reasons. First of all, | | | | "authority" as the alpha of the herd. |