Nasty nipper!

[Trewsers]

Hi there, well, last night Storm bit me for the second time!! :mad: It really hurt too!!! I gave her a sharp smack on her side - it was a knee jerk reaction really, cos it hurt so much!! I don't want her making a habit of this - (my arm doesn't like purple bruises!!!) how can I stop her??? She was getting impatient I could tell, but thats no excuse for biting. We were waiting for the instructor to come into the school and she was chomping away on her bit (like they do) and decided my arm looked inviting! I don't know if she did this with her previous owners - (I've only had her 3 weeks) could she just be trying it on??? Any tips for dealing with this??

[artemis]

I once had a pony like that. I was told to wait for the bite to come then quickley bring up my elbow so that they collide just before the bite happens. It worked but you need to be constantly aware & have fast reflexes.

[Trewsers]

Thanks for that suggestion artemis, I'll try that, I think I know when she's likely to do it, so I can judge and see. Fingers crossed it stops her! ;)

[RodeoDreamer33]

Are you hand feeding her or has she been recently hand fed? If so, NO HAND FEEDING while your teaching her to stop biting. ;)

[Big Ears]

sharp poke in side of jaw with fore finger and a strong no!

no titbits at all - if necessary but a nose net on her so she can't chomp till you get control of her...

[Trewsers]

Thanks for the replies! No, I've not been hand feeding her and definitely haven't been giving her treats (didn't want to encourage this sort of behaviour ie, mugging etc) The sharp poke might do the trick.... :p Apart from this ehem "biting habit" she's lovely - just need to work on stopping it!

[galadriel]

Cherry Hill has a couple of good articles on biting:
http://www.horsekeeping.com/horse_behavior/biting.htm
http://www.horsekeeping.com/Horse_Newsletter/October_2000.htm#biting

[Trewsers]

Thanks Galadriel - those articles were interesting. :)

[hannah:)]

I remember reading this once in a magazine:

Wear a thick old coat to protect you, and sew some of those wire dog grooming glove things onto the sleeves (or I suppose wherever you get nipped the most). Then totally ignore it - the horse will get a prickle on the nose and will associate this with the act of nipping itsef rather than you, so will stop nipping generally. This is not something I've tried as I have no horse, but I guess it's the same principle as hiding out with a watergun to squirt a puppy whenever it starts chewing and that does work! Also ignoring it can help - a horse at the school i first rode at had a terrible reputation for taking chunks out of people, but the first time he tried it with me he just caught my fleece, not me. Not being a very alert person in the mornings, I didn't notice and walked off leaving him holding a bit of fleece! After that he must have decided I had no nerves and never seriously tried to bite me again! :D

Good luck, I hate being bitten! Hope you sort it soon

[Trewsers]

Thanks Hannah! I might yet have to try that one, as the other night (to great comedic effect I might add :D ) madam actually dared try biting my bum as I was getting on her!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheeky madam indeed. Anyway, OH did laugh (I guess it is quite funny). But, I don't like my arms being decorated with bruises from the nipping so last time she attempted that one, at somebody's suggestion I gave her a sharp poke in the jaw - for the time being this seems to have done the trick! :D

[Big Ears]

sorry couldn't help but laugh at the bite on the bum, even Rosie hasn't done that - but then what happened to having your reins tight when getting on....

the jaw jab with a firm no and push the head away works with Rosie - she never does it now. She once lunged at Molly horse, I was in the way and she missed Molly and got me in the arm so I do sympathise.....had a wonderful technicolour arm with full set of teeth marks.....

not quite as bad when a horse grabbed me inner thigh and left total imprint....

[hannah:)]

oh no your poor bum!! Sorry had to giggle at that tho... Aren't horses with a sense of humour great? :rolleyes:

I came across these tips in an old Your Horse magazine (avoiding revising I'm afraid!) that might help... possibly also some kind of padded pants for safety!!

1.Never hit a horse for biting. You need to reinforce good behaviour with praise, while linking his biting with unpleasant actions that he won't blame you for. (For example hold something in your hand that's spikey,or attach it to your arm - such as a metal curry comb - to give him a nasty surpirse as he tries to bite you).

2. Organise regular handling training sessions. Get your horse used to you touching him firmly, but gently, all over his body.

3. Whenever you handle your horse keep one hand on his headcollar and look for signs that he's planning to nip you. If he looks like he's going to bite, push his head away from you sharply then gently bring it back towards you and pat him for turning to you in a non-threatening manner. Repeat this until you can turn your back without your horse taking a bite.

4. Try to avoid giving your horse an excuse to bite. Avoid grooming ticklish areas or handling him while he's eating.

5. Work to establish your own space so your horse respects this.