[oh vair oh]

You need to hit him hard enough that he actually moves his feet away from you. I work with "babies" (and by babies, I mean weanling and younger), and I have ninja reflexes. There's the "block", which is putting up your forearm against the side of the face, usually followed by a "cheek bop", when I take the fleshy part of my palm and hit them against the fleshy side of their cheek. And then I have the "jab", where I use the point of my elbow into the side of their mouth. It helps if you have perfect timing, where every move collides right when they start to go for you. Each of my movements is hard and decisive, then I continue to do what I'm doing. If the horse still persists, I'll cheek bop them into a compete circle until they're running away from me. Now my reflexes are so attuned, it just comes naturally and I often mistakenly do it with other people's horses.

 

[Lakotababii]

So this is just a suggestion. I do not know your horse but this worked for me when hitting did not.

My horse used to bite because he was, gasp, BABIED by his previous owners. He would try to nip about every three seconds. I tried whacking him in the head, circles, poking him, whacking him with a crop, you name it, I tried it. It really did not help anything.

The only thing that helped was ignoring him, well kind of. A trainer put me onto this, and he said when he attempts to nip, don't look at him, don't stop when you are doing, simply throw your elbows (think flap like a chicken). Do not pay any extra attention to him. Once you have his face away from you (which is you flap hard enough he will move his face away from you) continue doing what you are doing. He will quickly get sick of his game, because you give him no extra attention and he keeps hitting himself on your elbow (or so he thinks). This fixed my little dude in about a week flat, with steady improvements each time I worked him. Plus this method causes no head-shy results, since the horse thinks he is bumping into you, and not you hitting him.

Try that out and see if it helps.

 

[tinyliny]

So this is just a suggestion. I do not know your horse but this worked for me when hitting did not.

My horse used to bite because he was, gasp, BABIED by his previous owners. He would try to nip about every three seconds. I tried whacking him in the head, circles, poking him, whacking him with a crop, you name it, I tried it. It really did not help anything.

The only thing that helped was ignoring him, well kind of. A trainer put me onto this, and he said when he attempts to nip, don't look at him, don't stop when you are doing, simply throw your elbows (think flap like a chicken). Do not pay any extra attention to him. Once you have his face away from you (which is you flap hard enough he will move his face away from you) continue doing what you are doing. He will quickly get sick of his game, because you give him no extra attention and he keeps hitting himself on your elbow (or so he thinks). This fixed my little dude in about a week flat, with steady improvements each time I worked him. Plus this method causes no head-shy results, since the horse thinks he is bumping into you, and not you hitting him.

Try that out and see if it helps.

to do this, you have to watch him out of the corner of your eye, though, because you have to flap at him the second he reaches to bite. timing is everything.

one question here. Does he bit at all times, or only during tacking up? if he is biting at tacking up/down, there could be something that is causeing him pain, such as his saddle or the bit or ? and being ridden is very unpleasant for him, so he is trying to tell you something. not that I condone the biting, but sometimes the horse is trying to say something and we should be aware.

 

[Lakotababii]

to do this, you have to watch him out of the corner of your eye, though, because you have to flap at him the second he reaches to bite. timing is everything.

Oh definitely. Timing is everything. Thank you for clarifying that.

 

[Missy May]

I had a gelding once, when he was a youngster - he started biting and he rarely missed his intended target. That is just not funny. I will not smack a horse of mine in the face or anywhere else. I carefully lodged horsenails between my fingers and held them in place by making a fist, I did not move my hand...the decision was his to make contact. It took all of 2-3 times before that "game" was over. It sounds "cruel", it is not. They learn just as quickly and by the same means to not mess with cactus.

 

[DraftyAiresMum]

It took my gelding biting me hard ONCE for me to get the message across that biting is NOT acceptable.

He would nip and I would slap and it became a game...very similar to what you're describing. One day, when he was still a stud colt and still hadn't had much handling (I think I'd had him for two weeks and he hadn't been handled much prior to that), we were walking down the road and all of a sudden I had a 15hh, 1000lbs colt latched onto my forearm by his teeth. No provocation, no warning, he just *WHAM* bit me and held on. I reacted on pure instinct. He was latched onto my right arm, so my left fist came around full force in a rather nice left hook and caught him on the jaw. He let go REAL quick and looked at me like "What the heck?!" Let me tell you, though, he has NEVER bitten me again. If he even looks like he's thinking about lipping me, he gets popped in the nose (lightly now, because he knows what will happen if he does actually bite) and told "Don't!" in a very stern voice.

 

[tinyliny]

I had a gelding once, when he was a youngster - he started biting and he rarely missed his intended target. That is just not funny. I will not smack a horse of mine in the face or anywhere else. I carefully lodged horsenails between my fingers and held them in place by making a fist, I did not move my hand...the decision was his to make contact. It took all of 2-3 times before that "game" was over. It sounds "cruel", it is not. They learn just as quickly and by the same means to not mess with cactus.

Question being, how do you know what his next intended target will be, so that you can be sure to have the studded fist conveniently there for him to chomp on?

 

[Missy May]

Question being, how do you know what his next intended target will be, so that you can be sure to have the studded fist conveniently there for him to chomp on?

I didn't know for sure, but he had never gone for my face and I stood behind a lower railed fence and held my fists up slightly like a boxer. If he attempted anywhere else, which he did and got my shirt..I could easily move away. He had also once gotten my braid; I made sure that was hanging down my back (I then had very long hair). If you don't "set it up" to teach them by this method, then it isn't worth trying.

 

[tinyliny]

that is kind of an amusing image. not trying to make fun of you, but I get a chuckle when I imagine you holding up nail studded fists like a boxer, "put 'em up! Just you try it now you lil'******!"

 

[equestrianforever]

oh okay i will try that and hopefully it will work lol

 

[equestrianforever]

I had a gelding once, when he was a youngster - he started biting and he rarely missed his intended target. That is just not funny. I will not smack a horse of mine in the face or anywhere else. I carefully lodged horsenails between my fingers and held them in place by making a fist, I did not move my hand...the decision was his to make contact. It took all of 2-3 times before that "game" was over. It sounds "cruel", it is not. They learn just as quickly and by the same means to not mess with cactus.

thats something my riding instructor told me to do! im going to try that

 

[equestrianforever]

to do this, you have to watch him out of the corner of your eye, though, because you have to flap at him the second he reaches to bite. timing is everything.

one question here. Does he bit at all times, or only during tacking up? if he is biting at tacking up/down, there could be something that is causeing him pain, such as his saddle or the bit or ? and being ridden is very unpleasant for him, so he is trying to tell you something. not that I condone the biting, but sometimes the horse is trying to say something and we should be aware.

he always bites, not just when tacking up

 

[Hunter65]

Hunter was just like that when he was two and actually bit my trainer on her little love handle. I have never seen a hporse go backwards so far and so fast. He used to try and bite when petting him, at his stall window etc. Well he has gotten so much better (just turned 4) except when tacking up. I used to have an ill fitting saddle and he still doesn't like it when I am initially tightening the girth. I am usually always aware of him when doing up girth and usually he does a half hearted turn of his head and moving his lips. Three weeks ago I wasn't paying attention and he bit me on the back (first time he actually got me) My reaction was an immediate swift kick to his belly and and very loud aggressive yelling. You shoulda seen the look on his face (he used to come right back at you when you corrected him). Since then he hasnt even tried the half hearted move, but I know I have to be aware still.

 

[Spirit Lifter]

He's been allowed to get away with it for so long it might not be easy. Might be a lack of respect issue. My horse bit another pony right in front of me for no reason. I immediately acted like a mother punishing her "teenager", both physically and verbally. Boy was she embarrassed. You should have seen the shameful look on her face. I've never had to break bad on her so it shocked her. She then was all over me for forgiveness. All horses need consequences for bad behavior every time. Be consistent 100%. If my horse thought she only needed to respect me and nothing else that day, she sure learned that wasn't the case.

I watched the whole thing unfold and that 11 hand pony did nothing to provoke that bite. My horse is dominant over her in the pasture as far as pecking order but when I'm around, herd cra* takes a back seat when Momma (me) is around. I'm in charge of every horse in the barn when their owners aren't around and they damn sure know it. As the old saying goes, if momma ain't happy, nobody's happy. They know not to piss me off.

I'm the same person who gives all the horses out there the most love and attention as I am there every day

 

[Prinella]

If you're in the right situation running them backwards hard and fast seems to work. BUT it has to be hard and fast slow backups are no good. As has been mentioned good HARD pops with the lead rope on the chest should work, or shaking the lead rope hard (if you're using a rope halter)

 

[CarmenL]

Well, I have a smartarsed pony I lent out this summer to a lady I'd taught fundamental natural horsemanship to. He was a bit bitey when cinched and I didn't give it much mind. He came back to me last week (actually I had to go get him as he wouldn't load for my friend). What a naughty, bitey, disrespectful little devil he was. He was in a round pen when I arrived to get him and when I entered the pen he kinda turned his back to me like 'kiss my ***!!' Did he get a whack round his round *** with halter and rope!! He very quickly faced up! Lots of issues. Bang! Bang! Bang! He knew I meant business and very soon knew who was boss in this herd of two!!

I worked with him in my round pen yesterday. The biting issue really concerned me as this little horse is a great wee horse but biting is soooo dangerous and I needed to nip this nonsense in him real quick. I'm teaching my grandchildren and some others and my horses 'have' to be safe.

BTW, the biting has stopped. I taught all who handle this wee guy how to handle the issue of biting because he will go to the 'weakest link'
I use Clinton Andersons method so worked along those lines yesterday. Today, a whole different attitude. One thing he would not do for my friend was to go through water. I kinda thought that that might have been solved by gaining his respect again and, sure enough, this afternoon when my friend rode him there was no issue walking through water!

I really appreciate the advice given in the stickies in training in this forum. I've really learned some knew stuff.

 

[Hunter65]

If you're in the right situation running them backwards hard and fast seems to work. BUT it has to be hard and fast slow backups are no good. As has been mentioned good HARD pops with the lead rope on the chest should work, or shaking the lead rope hard (if you're using a rope halter)

Oh it was fast lol

 

[AmazinCaucasian]

Just git one of those steel mesh "shark bite proof shirts" and let him bite whenever he wants to. Because it'd be awful to hurt his feelings by disciplining him

 

[AmazinCaucasian]

 

[Palomine]

Running horse backwards to correct biting is a waste of good energy.

And I am curious as to other things that might be going on that you are missing, as rarely does this type of disrespect happen without there being problems elsewhere.

But the horseshoe nail between knuckles works, as does stiff brush.

Plenty of threads on this too.

Bottom line is, you have not made a forceful enough impression on that this is not an acceptable behavior.

And if you are a "babier" of horses, soothing voice person, or ignore other things this horse is doing? You need to quit it.