Tips how to stop a pony biting.

**scewal** · 22-08-12, 05:24 PM

I purchased a pony 1 week ago and turns out is quite a biter. He nibbled the lead rein when i viewed him but since has bitten me twice. He is only four and everything goes in his mouth. he tries nipping when i put his head collar on, leading and general handling.

He has no tip bits or treat by hand. Want to iron out this nipping lark asap.

Thank you.

**nikicb** · 22-08-12, 05:26 PM

I know this might be contraversial but he would get a sharp smack (with my hand) across the shoulder/chest and a stern 'no' if he got close to biting me. Usually after a couple of times a stern 'no' if he is looking like he is going to bite you will be enough. But I would never hit him across the nose.

**Faracat** · 22-08-12, 05:29 PM

My young gelding nips and he's also ear shy (difficult combo

) and I have had success recently with clapping my hands loudly (one clap) whenever he turns to nip. If I'm holding something, I shout 'OI!' and I also push him away (hand on his neck and gently push) when he starts to get a bit too interested in my sleeve/hood/whatever.

**I love my Spanish horse** · 22-08-12, 05:50 PM

Ive had 2 stallions both with a tendancy to be a bit nippy, and was told smacking them doesnt teach them anything and the thing to do is give them a sharp pinch (with nails if you can) in return instead, this mimics what would happen in the wild and worked especially with my last boy who thought very carefully about doing it again!

**FfionWinnie** · 22-08-12, 05:51 PM

I would never hit him. I would bump him in the chops with my elbow or shoulder as he went to nip. Sorted many horses out like this and it doesn't not make them head shy but does stop them biting. As far as he is concerned biting you (mildly) hurt him so he better not bite. There is an element of timing involved but once you have it it's easy.

One of the ones I did recently was a 22 yr old shetland pony and the habit was well ingrained. In his case it was my knee generally.

**Elsiecat** · 22-08-12, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by nikicb

I know this might be contraversial but he would get a sharp smack (with my hand) across the shoulder/chest and a stern 'no' if he got close to biting me. Usually after a couple of times a stern 'no' if he is looking like he is going to bite you will be enough. But I would never hit him across the nose.

^this. It stopped my mare biting when you did up her girth after 3/4 days

**scewal** · 22-08-12, 05:55 PM

He caught me a beauty this afternoon, lovely lump on my arm now. Will try the pinching technique and see how we go.

**nikicb** · 22-08-12, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by scewal

He caught me a beauty this afternoon, lovely lump on my arm now. Will try the pinching technique and see how we go.

Good luck. Whatever method you use, remember it's all in the timing. He needs to know that what he is doing is going to have an immediate negative effect.

**I love my Spanish horse** · 22-08-12, 06:10 PM

Timing is definatly the key, needs to be straight after he goes to do it to be effective, sometimes a pinch comnbined with a growl or loud stamp of the foot at the same time can be effective aswell. Certainly shocked the cr@p out of mine the first time

**Dubsie** · 22-08-12, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by FfionWinnie

I would never hit him. I would bump him in the chops with my elbow or shoulder as he went to nip. Sorted many horses out like this and it doesn't not make them head shy but does stop them biting. As far as he is concerned biting you (mildly) hurt him so he better not bite. There is an element of timing involved but once you have it it's easy.

One of the ones I did recently was a 22 yr old shetland pony and the habit was well ingrained. In his case it was my knee generally.

This really works. Daughter used to ride a little grey Welsh pony, and I used to gety it from its field at the top of our road (about 3/4 mile away). LGW pony4 years ago used to be quite a nipper when daughter first started riding her, however I quickly got used to jamming my elbow just where it was heading to bite my arm. Now daugher hasn't ridden said pony for around 2 1/2 years, but instructors daughter wanted to ride, so I went to get it, and the lesson has been well learnt! Teeth were raised in my direction once on the journey back, LGW was tempted (I had bare arms!)thought better of it and retreated without me having to jab an elbow at all