Nipping

[Laya]

My four year old Quarter Horse Justin has just started the habit of nipping. He's always been calm, placid, and gentle natured, but he's started biting at his handlers. He's a very docile horse and not at all dominant.

I reward him with treats not as often as it'd seem if it started affecting his behavior. If I'm on a mounting block combing his mane or messing with his leg after a work out, he turns around and nips at me. I scold him, and he'll stop for a couple of minutes. However, he then resumes his turning around and nipping me.

Could this be based on his not wanting my messing with his knee (which seems sore) or just not messing with him at all?

[smartie]

I had the self same problem wiht Winston. I have introduced a little clicker training, but instead of the lcicker I use treats. This worked well with what I wa askinghim to do, the side effect was he expected treats all the time, until he started to nip at me and others. He expected treats from them.

To resolve this, I stopped putting them in my pocket for starters! I then put the treats in an open bag, in my tack box in his stable when I groomed him. When he went for the treats I used his lead rope to stop him getting at the treats and asking him to stand. I would then work on him for 5 minutes then give him a treat. Each day I would extend the time then reward with a treat. Now he only gets a treat after full grooming, a schooling session or after a hack.

He now knows that if there is anything unacceptable in his manner or bheaviour that is not acceptable he won't get a treat. If he is good, he gets a treat, that sometimes comes as a horse sweet or a pat! He has stopped nipping and stands still until groomed, legs washed and feet picked out, then he gets a reward.

Good luck

[liz--y]

i know how you feel my 4yo TBXHann nips quite alot. especally when being rugged etc, i would stop feeding you horse treats, also is he in all the time because i find when i turn mine out he is alot better.

[Cathy Reynolds]

I reserve treats for when Benny is good. If he is naughty or nips he doesn't get treats. He rarely nibbles these days because he isn't bored any more. he used to be dreadful before he was backed and brought to the yard to be ridden.

[Tammy]

Laya,

If Justin seems sore, let him rest for a few days without working him. See if his behaviour improves when the pain is gone.

I don't give treats at any certain time so my mare never expects one and doesn't push to get one.