why

[xxdebbie_ukxx]

i went to get my 8 month old foal out the field as i do everyday and she nipped me also on the way to the stable from her field she tosses her head around why does she do this should i punish her??? its gettin to the point where she tryes to drag me to the stable.nipping on the way.i thought maybe its excitment ??

[Mehitabel]

babies do nip. their mouths are the only way they have to interact with the world, and just like human babies, everything worthy of investigation goes in their mouths.
she does need to know it's not what you want, but don't 'tell her off' or get cross, just say no and push her head away gently.
she's also still very young, and will get excited at things easily, and that's probably the head tossing reason.

[xxdebbie_ukxx]

but i cant let her carry on tossing her head around and pulling as it will become a habit ?? or will she grow out off it???

[Jessey]

You could try doing something different in between the field and the stable every day, like as for her to back up a stride, or just walk a different route, go visit the other horses or stop and pick her feet up or have a groom. Once she dosen't think she can make a B-line straight to the stable and has to do something in between she should stop trying to drag you back there and wait to be told what she should do each time.

J

[chev]

Put a couple of poles on the ground, or a plastic sheet. Nothing like giving a baby something else to think about to distract them from less desirable behaviours... ;)

[Tootsie4U]

I like that Chev. There's nothing like "two birds with one stone" ;)

[xxdebbie_ukxx]

i changed the route allready made her worse lol maybe she dont like her new route?

[chev]

The new route is unfamiliar. If she's not 100% confident in you then she'll play up through anxiety. Work on your relationship with her, make sure you have her trust and respect, and that she'll listen to you. This is another way that poles and plastic can be useful... :D

[Jessey]

Do be persistant, youv'e changed the routine and he wont really understand that to start with, once he realises that as soon as he does what he's told he can go to his stable he will start listening a little harder to your requests and subsequently behaving. The poles sound like a good idea, you could try putting some cones out to weave through as well, take his mind off the bad stuff like chev said.

J

[Tarlor]

Try this. When she plays up, just stand still, keep your contact on the rope and don't look at her or give her any sign you are watching her. Let her prance about and whatever she does and when she stands still, then keep going. When she does well, praise her and when she plays up just stand still. When she realises that she is wasting energy, she will improve.

BTW: This is especially good for feed time cos if she realises that it takes longer if she plays up, she will do as she's told.