I do have a question regarding a horse who dosen't seem to be in the mood for a ride and when saddling and trying to bridle he nudges and even takes a little nip at you. How should that situation be handled?
Nudging & Nipping
- Thread starter MaryLynn
- Start date
oh, fun fun.
we have a few horses at my barn that like to do the nipping thing. what i tend to do is reprimand them in a reasonably gruff tone of voice (tell them "NO!" or the like). generally, most of the horses that exhibit this nasty behavior (that i've come in contact with, anyway) will stop if you reprimand them accordingly, and let 'em know you mean business. don't be shy; biting and nudging is entirely unacceptable. then again, i've also had sucess with responding to mildly-jerkish behavior (head-tossing and pawing while grooming on cross-ties) with calming the horse down with soft pets behind the ears, speaking in a very low, soothing voice, and perhaps "shhh-ing" a bit. it all depends on the horse and the situation.
however... if i were you, what i would do first is inquire about the horse in question with your instructor or another staffmember at your barn. people at Chrislar have always been sure to tell me beforehand about a particular horse's bad habits in regards to nipping and such, and instruct me as to appropriate responses to each.
oh, another thing... if it's the girth that the horse gets upset about, you might try being veeeerrryyy gentle, and tightening it gradually. only go to the first hole at first, then continue with some other stuff before you tighten again, to the next hole. then perhaps put his bridle on, and go out into the ring. ask someone to hold him and speak to him softly while you sneak in another hole or two. then go the last bit after you've mounted, if you feel comfortable with that.
just my $0.02; if anything i've said seems wrong, i hope someone will correct me!
-cyn
we have a few horses at my barn that like to do the nipping thing. what i tend to do is reprimand them in a reasonably gruff tone of voice (tell them "NO!" or the like). generally, most of the horses that exhibit this nasty behavior (that i've come in contact with, anyway) will stop if you reprimand them accordingly, and let 'em know you mean business. don't be shy; biting and nudging is entirely unacceptable. then again, i've also had sucess with responding to mildly-jerkish behavior (head-tossing and pawing while grooming on cross-ties) with calming the horse down with soft pets behind the ears, speaking in a very low, soothing voice, and perhaps "shhh-ing" a bit. it all depends on the horse and the situation.
however... if i were you, what i would do first is inquire about the horse in question with your instructor or another staffmember at your barn. people at Chrislar have always been sure to tell me beforehand about a particular horse's bad habits in regards to nipping and such, and instruct me as to appropriate responses to each.
oh, another thing... if it's the girth that the horse gets upset about, you might try being veeeerrryyy gentle, and tightening it gradually. only go to the first hole at first, then continue with some other stuff before you tighten again, to the next hole. then perhaps put his bridle on, and go out into the ring. ask someone to hold him and speak to him softly while you sneak in another hole or two. then go the last bit after you've mounted, if you feel comfortable with that.
just my $0.02; if anything i've said seems wrong, i hope someone will correct me!
-cyn
Hi Cynthia,
Thank you for the reply. You gave many good tactics to use. Horses can be so tempermental. They do like to see what they can get away with. Sometimes like a child. Your 2 cents was greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
Thank you for the reply. You gave many good tactics to use. Horses can be so tempermental. They do like to see what they can get away with. Sometimes like a child. Your 2 cents was greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
F
Farm_Girl5
Guest
I'm afraid cynthia has said it all but most of all if your telling a horse off vocally to do it with a harsh voice. If your horse is acting up and you say really harshly "Have a nice day" The horse still responds. I tried it on the weekend and you get the same responce as said "Get up Josh" (Josh being the horses name <G> )
So mostly it also is with your tone.
Just a thought
Kristy
So mostly it also is with your tone.
Just a thought
Kristy
hello!
Cynthia and Kristy's suggestions do work well with a horse that is taking the mickey. it might be worth seeing if the horse is doing this because he can't be bothered to be ridden, or because he is in pain. the horse can't say 'ow my saddle hurts me' so nipping can be his way of saying it.
It might be worth checking with the yard owner when he last had his saddle fitted to him and when he last had his back checked too.
bye!
Cynthia and Kristy's suggestions do work well with a horse that is taking the mickey. it might be worth seeing if the horse is doing this because he can't be bothered to be ridden, or because he is in pain. the horse can't say 'ow my saddle hurts me' so nipping can be his way of saying it.
It might be worth checking with the yard owner when he last had his saddle fitted to him and when he last had his back checked too.
bye!
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