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Biting Horse

1K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  HorseyHan 
#1 ·
So today we started boarding a horse at my place. They were getting along pretty well (except for that my horse nipped the new horse on her neck not a big deal) my horse pretty much just showed his dominance. Anyway, everything was going fine, we fed them and they did great. But this night I went to get them both out of the stall (because it connects to the pasture) so they don't have a fiasco in there. By the way my horse eats in the stall and he was just finishing when I went in there the other horse eats in the middle of the pasture. So I went to go get them both out of the stall the other horse was waiting out side for my horse to finish eating and I was getting my horse out and then he went back in the stall when I was shooing the other hose away, and then I was getting my horse out the 2nd time (I was backing him out of the stall) and he just randomly charged and bit me very severely. When he bit me he hung on for awhile and knocked me over. I'm okay, just in a lot of pain. My horse has NEVER acted this way ever! He has never threatened to kick, or bite me or anything like that. We have a really good relationship and he knows I'm the boss. I have never even seen him act in a threatening manner towards anybody. He's the type of horse that will fall asleep with his head in your arms. I'm trying to figure out why he did this and what I can do to fix it. I don't want to get rid of the horse that's being boarded here, and I deff. do NOT want to get rid of my horse! Does anybody have any ideas on how to fix this, or as to why he did this? Thank you so so so much in advance!!! I know how serious of a problem biting is (because of how much pain I am in right now) and that is exactly why I want to get this taken care of as soon as possible. I just cannot understand why he did this to me. Thank you so so so much for any advice you can give!! Thank you!
 
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#2 ·
He did this because you got in between a situation where they are fighting out dominance and you are collateral damage. Be aware the next week, as it will continue until they figure it out.

I disagree that your horse knows that you are the boss, or he would not have offered to do this. I hope you gave him an education afterwards.
 
#3 ·
Thank you for your advice but my horse does know I am the boss. Trust me on this, I know my horse and I know where he stands in his training. I've broken him myself and I've had him for two years and I'm not saying that that means that he knows I'm the boss but I know my horse inside and out. That's why I'm so confused as to why this happened. It makes no sense!!! And I couldn't give him an 'education' afterwards because it was 10 at night and I was in so much pain I could barely get out of the stall and get down to my house. Thank you for your advice!!
 
#4 ·
You could not throw a bucket at him, kick him, nothing?

I am sorry that you got hurt, but I hope that you won't get more hurt in the upcoming week.

You have newly introduced horses, who are trying to figure out dominance over feed, to me that makes all the sense in the world. And it will continue until they figure it out.
 
#5 ·
Unfortunately no. I look back on and I should've done something, but trust me, my horse is getting his butt wupped tomorrow morning!!! Yeah food dominance is the only thing I can think of. It's horrible that I got caught in the middle of it, but I'm going to work with my horse and try to get to this attitude. Thank you for all your help!!
 
#7 ·
You might think that your horse respects you but, he doesn't trust you!

He was possibly a bit worried about the other horse coming at him and thought he was defending himself himself even though the other horse was not there at that moment. The new horse had returned once and your horse might have though he had a second time.
To go to punish him the next day is way to late. A minute after an event is to late.

Set it up that you can keep one horse out of the barn once it is in the paddock, put a rope or chain across the door so that once you have turned one out it is out.
Your horse might have appeared to be dominant by giving a nip but, a new horse in a new environment will often be more submissive until it has investigated the area. Odds are that the new one stood up against yours thus making him worried about reversing out into a place where he could not defend himself.

Rub some arnica on your bruise and it will soon come out.
 
#8 ·
As y'all have already discussed, it sounds like you got caught between two horses that are establishing dominance. When feed is involved, be aware that aggressive and outlandish behavior is far more likely to occur.

My recommendation for the future would be to be very aware of the body language of these two horses, especially at feeding time. If your horse (or the other horse) so much as thinks about laying his ears back or acting in an aggressive manner toward you in any way at any time, I would let him have it with whatever you have on hand. Drive him off and away from you using a rope/whip/bucket/etc. Only do this if you catch him in the act of acting aggressively toward you; it will mean nothing to him if you reprimand him later since he will not connect the bad behavior with the punishment.

IF he does manage to bite you again (sometimes those kinds of things happen in a flash), I would have a serious and immediate CTJ meeting with this horse.

The horses will most likely establish a pecking order and settle down with some time. Good luck, stay safe, and feel better! Getting bitten by a horse is no fun.
 
#9 ·
Thank you for your advice! Yeah we figured I'll just have to be cautious around them at feeding time, and things will settle down in a week or so. And I didn't go and punish my horse the next morning, I took him up and lunged him until he showed signs that he wanted to come in by chewing and lowering his head etc. I did this just to make sure I still had his respect towards me and I do. So thank you for you advice, and hopefully I'll heal soon and I'll deff. be alot more cautious at feeding time! Thank you!
 
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