Re: My problem with biting.
This message is from: "Starfire Farm, LLC" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Aimee, It sounds like your horse does not feel secure around you when he gets nervous. You need to give your horse something to do when he gets nervous, like walking in a circle around you at the end of your lead rope. I'm not talking about lunging, I mean walking, nice, forward, long, strides with him looking slightly towards you with a nice bend in his body. If he's nervous, he needs to do what comes naturally to a horse, which is to move. If he looks away, bring his attention back in your direction with a sharp but feeling snap or "bump" of the lead rope. If he trots off make it uncomfortable for him to stay in the trot by rhythmically bumping on the lead rope. If you've lunged this horse before, your job will be more difficult, as he's already learned to ignore you at the end of the lunge line. You should allow him to move, but you pick where and how. When he starts to get "soft" and thinks about stopping and giving you his attention, you should reward him by petting him, a lot. Reward the slightest try, at first. If he moves off before you get to where you can pet him, continue to move him, but always try to offer softness. The idea is, you make it uncomfortable for him to not "be" with you, and very comfortable for him to be with you. It could take a lot of repetition and time initially, but if you're patient, you can realize some great results. You could do this work anywhere, but if you have a round pen available, or a smaller paddock, it might be easier to start there so you don't end up all over kingdom come. Good luck. Beth -- Beth Beymer & Sandy North Starfire Farm, Berthoud CO http://www.starfirefarm.com
Re: My problem with biting.
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In a message dated 4/22/01 4:49:35 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< My problem is {and his problem is} He only bites/grabs when he's Nervous,
scared or unsure of a situation. It took me quite awhile to put this all
together and figure out why it wasn't something I could fix. I'm not
saying
there isn't a way to fix it, I just haven't found it. >>
Hi Aimee-
OK, some details may help us give advice. Describe a situation when the
grabbing occurs. Where are you both, what are you doing, what is your
immediate response to the behavior, and what happens afterwards?
Brigid
My problem with biting.
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
I've been reading everyone's stories of biting and how they've solved it. I
have tired many things to stop my gelding from biting and nothing has worked.
My problem is {and his problem is} He only bites/grabs when he's Nervous,
scared or unsure of a situation. It took me quite awhile to put this all
together and figure out why it wasn't something I could fix. I'm not saying
there isn't a way to fix it, I just haven't found it. Maybe I'm just
feeling too guilty to punish him the way he needs, when he's already scared
or nervous. Again, this is the ONLY time he ever grabs/bites at you, when
he's nervous, or unsure of himself. He will be 7 this summer, and I've had
him since he was weaned. He was always very mouthy as a foal, but was
ALWAYS corrected for it. I know he's never to be totally trusted with that
mouth so am always aware of that nose swinging towards me when he is being
lead anywhere... I now normally correct with my voice as soon as I see it
turning my way, and he only connects maybe 1% of the time. I'm just not
sure what I can do to make him feel at ease enough not to feel he has to peck
at me, to relieve his nervousness.
Any comments?
Aimee Day
