Bitting bums!

[qwerty]

Hi!
can u help me? The horse I sometimes ride always trys to bit other horses bums! :eek: It doesn't just happen to me but is there anything I could do?

[sallym]

Lots of horses will try this. Keep far enough behind the horse in front so that you can see its hind hooves. That way, your horse can't bite and you won't get kicked.

Best wishes

Sally

[Maci]

AT LAST! Someone with a problem similar to mine! My horse does the exact same thing! He was an ex-trail horse so he's used to following butts, and it's a pain to get him detached! And it's SOO hard to keep him away from the other horses because he's SO determine to follow/chase them! I got him to stop biting them (YES!) but to stop him following, now that's HARD! ALAS! I thought I was the only one! :eek:

What I find helps is working with the horse by yourselves, say 15 minutes before your lesson, working on changes of rein, circles, serpentines, etc. Anything that will get him to tune into you, and listen to you. Use your legs and seat activly and positivly, taps of the crop help, and lots of encouragement when he does good!

It Works For Me!
Maci :)

[qwerty]

Thanx 4 your advice but I go to a riding school where you don't get to work with the horses individually. As for the seeing their hooves goes, we have to make it so you can just see the bottom of the horse infront, any mor or less and you get told to sort it!:rolleyes:

Any more advice?

Qwerty

[lamprellsarah]

it going to be quiete hard to stop it, as other people may let the horse get away with it, theres no point smacking him, as i don't think he will understand why you are smacking him, try to keep his head in the right position, in the right outline, it's not as easy then, also if the horse in front is bigger he wil find it harder to get his head up to bite it. or if they let you put really disgusting smelling or tasting stuff on the bum of the horse in front, he might reconsider then.

[Maci]

qwerty- You could always ask your instructor if you can come a bit earlier (maybe 15 minutes before class), to warm-up this horse just you and him, to get him listening to you, and by the time your "private" warm-up is done, your class will be in session and you can join them. OR, you could always ask your instructor if a more experienced rider who rides him, could ride him before your lesson, to get him in the "groove" of behaving and listening.

Good Luck Whatever You Do!
Maci :)