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Biting At Sides?

11K views 49 replies 15 participants last post by  JustDressageIt 
#1 ·
I went to ride Gracie tonight, and she wouldn't stop biting her sides as I try to mount up into the saddle! She rode fine this morning, and yesterday. Do you think she is OK? She is in perfect health, maybe she just has a tummy ache (I hope). I am going to mount up again tomorrow morning, and shee if she does well. I am worried about her :cry:.
 
#3 ·
She has been eating/drinking fine, not sweating unless I ride her for two-three hours (yesterday), and her manure is like it should be.

There were a few flies around her, maybe that was it? I will try it early in the morning when the flies aren't out.
 
#4 ·
The only time Vida bites at me when I'm in the saddle is when she is in some sort of discomfort. Have you changed saddle pads or saddles? Is your saddle pad bunching up under the saddle? Does your saddle fit properly?
You might also try using a mounting block when you get on. It may be causing some pain for her if you mount from the ground.
 
#5 ·
I haven't switched anything, but I ddi notice that the pad was a bit higher up on the back than normal. I will put it a little lower tomorrow morning.

I'll also try the mounting block.

I really want to get on her, but I'm afraid she might buck or rear if she is uncomfortable.
 
#6 ·
Well, thats the best way to figure out whats wrong sometimes--trial and error.

One day I accidentally put Ice's saddle on about an inch too far back. From 3 feet away you might not notice it, but when I asked him to trot he gave me a nice buck and took off. I knew after that to check my saddle placement before I got on. :lol:
 
#8 ·
I tried to get on again, this time she tried to bite me! It is like she has some pain in her sides.... I then tried to mount up from a mounting block, same result :-( We are going to call the previous owners soon and ask if she ever did this to them.

Is she just being stubborn because we just got her?
 
#11 ·
Does she turn around and lip your feet when you are sitting on her?

I am guessing she is just checking you out. Something that is not uncommon. And she has figured out how to make you go away and not ride her. Smart mare.

It sounds like you have made her work awfully hard since she has gotten to your place. Maybe a day with only one shorter ride would be best. She might be stiff and sore if your long rides 2x per day are more than she used to do at her old home.



As was said in the other thread. Getting yourself a trainer/instructor would help you tons. Questions like this could be asked of them, and their answers would be more spot on because they could actually see the behavior so they would more easily determine the cause and affect of the situation.

Have you talked with your parents about you taking lessons?
 
#12 ·
Does she turn around and lip your feet when you are sitting on her?

I am guessing she is just checking you out. Something that is not uncommon. And she has figured out how to make you go away and not ride her. Smart mare.

It sounds like you have made her work awfully hard since she has gotten to your place. Maybe a day with only one shorter ride would be best. She might be stiff and sore if your long rides 2x per day are more than she used to do at her old home.



As was said in the other thread. Getting yourself a trainer/instructor would help you tons. Questions like this could be asked of them, and their answers would be more spot on because they could actually see the behavior so they would more easily determine the cause and affect of the situation.

Have you talked with your parents about you taking lessons?
She doesn't just turn around to look back, she tried to bite. I will take a break off of riding today, and try to start fresh tomorrow. I would get on her, but I don't want to cause her pain.

I have talked about lessons, we are looking into it.
 
#13 ·
I tried to get on again, this time she tried to bite me! It is like she has some pain in her sides.... I then tried to mount up from a mounting block, same result :sad: We are going to call the previous owners soon and ask if she ever did this to them.

Is she just being stubborn because we just got her?
My guess, is that she has back pain and needs a Chiro out to give her an adjustment.

Nelson used to bit at me when I tacked him up, beacuse of 2 reasons. He has Ulcers and because his Withers were out and about 5ish vertibra in his back. His neck and poll as well and pelvis...and I never even knew it - but he was showing signs that he was in pain.

A horse doesn't bite at the air or at you for no reason, and my guess is that your horse is hurting and trying to tell you - THAT HURTS.

I would contract an Equine Chirio to come out and give your horse an adjustment. You'd be surprised to find out what may be out. Especially if your horse has never been adjusted.

It amazes me at how many people don't get their horses adjusted.
 
#19 ·
Chances are the pain is in her back, not her sides - but she is biting where she can reach. This sounds to me like the very common reaction of a horse with a poorly fitting saddle. Any way you can get someone to take a video or pictures of this, or pictures of your saddle fit?
 
#18 ·
She could have sore muscles. She may not have been conditioned all that well when you got her, and from what you've said, you've been riding her a LOT. She may be sore from working too hard. Plus since you are still a newbie, your balance is probably a bit out of whack still, and she may be compensating for that too, and working even harder. Have fun swimming, maybe a day off is just what she needs! :) Hope you figure it out.
 
#21 ·
This is going to sound rude but I can not think of a nicer way to say this.

Her saddle fits fine :) It is the saddle she has used all of her life.
This is proof you have no clue what you are doing.


Just because it is the same saddle the horse has used its whole life does not mean it fits.
 
#28 ·
You say it fits her fine, but you're very much a newbie and what looks fine to your untrained eye may not be fine at all, as far as the horse is concerned.

If she was 5 when the saddle was made, she's matured and filled out since then. The saddle could very well be uncomfortable for her now.
 
#29 ·
Good post, SR.
GM, it takes years and a very talented eye to be able to tell if a saddle is a good fit. While the saddle may have been custom made to her at 5 years old, that was when she was still quite young and not fully mature. Even if she's 8 now, I bet she's changed shape drastically.
For example... I'm the same height I was when I was 15 years old, and around the same weight - but I carry it all differently now; my clothes from when I was 15 wouldn't fit me at all, and I'd be uncomfortable in them - if I could even get my jeans done up! I'd have to walk around with my tummy sucked in.
That's my analogy - you're welcome for the visual ;)
 
#31 ·
I rode her today, she kicked and bit and acted like a maniac. Thankfully, she didn't buck or rear. I realized something, though. We haven't picked out her hooves since we got her a few days ago. And, she started acting like this after I rode on our gravel driveway. So, when I went out to pick her hooves, a little rock came out! I am saddling her up again today, because that may have been it.
 
#37 ·
I rode her today, she kicked and bit and acted like a maniac. Thankfully, she didn't buck or rear. I realized something, though. We haven't picked out her hooves since we got her a few days ago. And, she started acting like this after I rode on our gravel driveway. So, when I went out to pick her hooves, a little rock came out! I am saddling her up again today, because that may have been it.
Not likely. A horse will start limping if their feet hurt, not biting and kicking.
To me, it sounds like she's sore; either the saddle doesn't fit (it doesn't look like a great fit in that photo) and/or she's back sore. Perhaps some of her vertebrae are out, or perhaps even a rib. She doesn't look like a terribly happy camper in that photo. As soon as you get everything sorted out, I'm sure you two will be a fantastic team.
 
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