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Solving kicking and biting problems

Carolyn Henderson

24 April, 2001

Showman David Tatlow maintains that "if hitting a horse two or three times doesn't work, then neither will hitting him a thousand times.

"We've got more of a thinking mind, so we should be able to outwit a horse. The best way of dealing with a bully is to bully him back, so that he backs down."

There are some horses who become aggressive because they have been ill-treated, but David believes that this is not always the case.

"Some horses come into the world with an evil streak, just as some people do."

Tactics depend on the degree of the problem. David believes that horses who bite when girthed up should be tied up and their girths adjusted with care.

With a horse who lunges at you with bared teeth, a metal dustbin lid is the essential aid.

"Keeping this in your hand is better than carrying a stick, because there's no risk of damaging the horse's eye – and if he changes direction to bite your leg, you only have to drop it down."

If David encounters a horse who turns his back end and aims both barrels, he uses a sharp bristled broom with a handle longer than a horse's hind legs. He then applies the bristles to the horse's backside.

David once bought a racehorse at the sales who tested all his patience and skill.

"It took me two hours to catch him in the box at the sales – we had to go in with bales and pen him in.

"He would kick youor bite you in the stable if he could, but I got him so that I could do just about anything with him. You always had to be careful and I made sure it was me that handled him. You can't risk staff who are less experienced, they can easily get hurt."

Some animals cow kick when clipped and, if obvious causes have been ruled out, David believes that the only safe way is to ask your vet to sedate the horse.

"Modern sedatives are so good that horses don't sweat and you can get the job done quickly and safely," he says.

"You inevitably find that the horse improves because there's no harassment. Often, a horse who has been sedated a couple of times becomes better because he hasn't been frightened."

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