Post by Calaminty Jane on May 3, 2012 18:37:43 GMT -5
Horse Biting Problems
-a Horse Training Article by Pat Parelli
Brace yourself — not for the bite, but for a very different perspective on why horses bite and what to do about it. And surprise, it’s probably the opposite of what most people would normally do!
HORSES WITH A TENDENCY TO NIP USUALLY HAVE A HIGH PLAY DRIVE
biting horsesWhile watching horses play with each other, you’ll notice they do things like push with their bodies, rear up, strike, kick, and BITE. Of course it’s all in fun and grabbing a bit of skin in the teeth is no big deal, unless the recipient is a human. It hurts! A horse that wants to nip you is usually expressing its desire to play, but he doesn’t know the human skin is not quite as tough as a horse’s. On one hand it’s a compliment that your horse wants to play with you; on the other hand, it’s a clear sign that he doesn’t see you as alpha.
HORSES NEVER BITE THEIR ALPHA!
Do you know how to recognize the alpha horse in a herd? He or she is the one without any bite marks! Horses don’t bite their alpha. In the game of dominance, those who “bite best” win. When horses play and nip at each other they are basically developing their dominance skills and rehearsing takeover strategies.
PEOPLE TURN PLAYFUL HORSES INTO MORE AGGRESSIVE BITERS
Most people smack a horse for biting, which doesn’t work because prey animals don’t understand punishment. They think you are biting back and now the interchange becomes all about who will “win” the dominance game.
In horse-land the bravest, smartest and quickest horse wins. The alpha horse is calm, self-confident and totally unemotional. He’s also ready to do whatever it takes to maintain the alpha position. So when a horse goes to bite and you try to smack him, the horse just gets better at the game—he gets quicker at taking a nip and dodging the slap.
As time goes on the nips turn into bites because the horse gets more serious about dominating you. Also, when a horse can evoke an emotional reaction from you — surprise, anger, fear — he knows you have no chance of being alpha. You obviously aren’t calm, smart or brave enough!
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
So what do I do when I get bit? I say “ow” and rub it until it stops hurting! What else are you going to do? Slapping the horse doesn’t work and it sure doesn’t improve the relationship. If you received a bite, it’s your fault. What you need to do is figure out how to prevent it in the first place. Once bitten, retaliation is fruitless.
SATISFY THE PLAY DRIVE
Many biters live in very restrictive environments, like stables and pens, and are isolated from other horses. It’s understandable that they’re going to feel pent up as their need for social interaction gets very high. And then you may be all they have!
back up a biting horseThe Seven Games teach you how to interact with your horse in a constructive and playful way and at the same time allow you to exert your leadership in ways that horses understand. Dominant horses move other horses around and that’s what the Seven Games teach you to do. The game is “who moves who.” If your horse can make you move your feet, he knows it’s just a matter of time before he can knock you off your perch. Horses are persistent in their quest for dominance and they are not in a hurry!
When playing the Seven Games, use them creatively as opposed to playing the games the same way every time. Always playing them the same way turns the Seven Games into the Seven Jobs, and bored horses start to get pretty inventive! Try playing the Games with an obstacle where the horse has to do lots of different things, from jumping the obstacle to stepping on it to straddling it, going sideways over it, backing up to it, etc.
Next, consider playing on longer lines. You need to graduate from a 12- Foot Line pretty quickly or it becomes a limiting factor. A 22-Foot or 45-Foot Line give the horse more room to move around, get faster, allow him to express himself, and yet stay connected to you. Longer lines also develop your ability to influence your horse from farther away. Once again, don’t get stuck on just the Circling Game. Use obstacles, do different things with them, and keep your horse mentally engaged. Get him to think and wonder what you’re going to ask him to do next!
INDULGE THE TALENT!
A horse who is mouthy and nippy is also showing his need for oral interaction. Play with his mouth a lot, and do more than he really wants: Rub vigorously with your hands, pull his lips around (playfully of course!), rub his tongue with the Carrot Stick, teach him to lead by the tongue, and teach him to pick up your cap or a stick or a bucket. Put this obvious “talent” to good use.
In Australia, a Parelli student taught her once very nippy young horse to fetch her cap when it blew off while riding and to hand it to her. He also learned to participate in the saddling procedure, handing Sharon the pad and then the saddle itself!
STAY OUT OF THE NIP ZONE
Most horses nip because they are too close to you. In Parelli Levels 1 & 2 we teach you to move your horse away a lot and to keep him out of your personal space. Horses with a tendency to nip also tend to crowd your space, are over friendly, pushy and self-confident. Simply asking the horse to stay at a respectful distance can make a big change to his nipping behavior. Remember, if they can’t reach you,
they can’t bite you!
DON’T SMACK ‘EM — BACK ‘EM
If you feel a nip coming on, back your horse up quickly and intentionally. This changes their mind because it’s a dominant move on your part. Give up the smacking. It doesn’t work and it actually can turn a horse nasty. Put more backing into your daily interaction with the horse and above all, don’t let him barge into your space.
Important: Keep your feet still and cause the horse to move his feet, and do it without any emotional tension. It even helps to not look at the horse directly. As soon as he’s backed away, smile and relax. Another hint: If the horse is really aggressive, don’t be on the same side of the fence as him! Play with him through the fence or over the gate or a stall door. You need to get his trust before getting any closer than that.
HORSES ONLY BITE PEOPLE THEY DON’T LIKE, DON’T RESPECT OR DON’T TRUST
Remember, horses are prey animals. They are most concerned about safety. Some horses bite because they are scared or unconfident (right brain); others bite because they are trying to dominate (left brain). In both cases, backing them up works. And in both cases, improving the relationship works. Just like people, horses need to feel liked and respected.
Success with horses relies on knowing how to develop and maintain friendship and respect. That’s what the Seven Games teach you as you evolve through the program Level by Level. It’s a balancing act. You can’t make a horse respect you by punishing him; in fact, it does the opposite. Aggressive people may successfully cause a horse to stop biting but they don’t win the horse’s heart.
Become the kind of person a horse likes, respects and trusts. This means:
a) Play a lot of Friendly Games. Get your horse to like you and have positive thoughts when he sees you. Bring him cookies and carrots (as gifts, not bribes!). Understand life from his perspective, understand how he develops respect, and consider his needs.
b) Develop your leadership skills to a minimum of Level 2 so you know how to earn your horse’s respect without fear. Horses need an alpha or they will assume the role.
c) Play the Seven Games a lot! Prove to your horse you are not a predator, and that he can trust you no matter what. There’s a delicate balance between getting your horse to do as you ask and preserving his confidence.
About Parelli
The Parelli Program, founded in 1981 by lifelong horseman and teacher Pat Parelli, combines in-depth equine psychology and common sense communication techniques into the ultimate recipe for horse and rider success. The Parelli method allows horse owners at all levels of experience to achieve success without force, partnership without dominance and harmony without coercion. Pat and wife Linda are on a mission to make the world a better place for horses and humans, working to inspire, empower and educate through natural horsemanship. Their award-winning educational TV series can be seen on cable and satellite in the USA and UK.
-a Horse Training Article by Pat Parelli
Brace yourself — not for the bite, but for a very different perspective on why horses bite and what to do about it. And surprise, it’s probably the opposite of what most people would normally do!
HORSES WITH A TENDENCY TO NIP USUALLY HAVE A HIGH PLAY DRIVE
biting horsesWhile watching horses play with each other, you’ll notice they do things like push with their bodies, rear up, strike, kick, and BITE. Of course it’s all in fun and grabbing a bit of skin in the teeth is no big deal, unless the recipient is a human. It hurts! A horse that wants to nip you is usually expressing its desire to play, but he doesn’t know the human skin is not quite as tough as a horse’s. On one hand it’s a compliment that your horse wants to play with you; on the other hand, it’s a clear sign that he doesn’t see you as alpha.
HORSES NEVER BITE THEIR ALPHA!
Do you know how to recognize the alpha horse in a herd? He or she is the one without any bite marks! Horses don’t bite their alpha. In the game of dominance, those who “bite best” win. When horses play and nip at each other they are basically developing their dominance skills and rehearsing takeover strategies.
PEOPLE TURN PLAYFUL HORSES INTO MORE AGGRESSIVE BITERS
Most people smack a horse for biting, which doesn’t work because prey animals don’t understand punishment. They think you are biting back and now the interchange becomes all about who will “win” the dominance game.
In horse-land the bravest, smartest and quickest horse wins. The alpha horse is calm, self-confident and totally unemotional. He’s also ready to do whatever it takes to maintain the alpha position. So when a horse goes to bite and you try to smack him, the horse just gets better at the game—he gets quicker at taking a nip and dodging the slap.
As time goes on the nips turn into bites because the horse gets more serious about dominating you. Also, when a horse can evoke an emotional reaction from you — surprise, anger, fear — he knows you have no chance of being alpha. You obviously aren’t calm, smart or brave enough!
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
So what do I do when I get bit? I say “ow” and rub it until it stops hurting! What else are you going to do? Slapping the horse doesn’t work and it sure doesn’t improve the relationship. If you received a bite, it’s your fault. What you need to do is figure out how to prevent it in the first place. Once bitten, retaliation is fruitless.
SATISFY THE PLAY DRIVE
Many biters live in very restrictive environments, like stables and pens, and are isolated from other horses. It’s understandable that they’re going to feel pent up as their need for social interaction gets very high. And then you may be all they have!
back up a biting horseThe Seven Games teach you how to interact with your horse in a constructive and playful way and at the same time allow you to exert your leadership in ways that horses understand. Dominant horses move other horses around and that’s what the Seven Games teach you to do. The game is “who moves who.” If your horse can make you move your feet, he knows it’s just a matter of time before he can knock you off your perch. Horses are persistent in their quest for dominance and they are not in a hurry!
When playing the Seven Games, use them creatively as opposed to playing the games the same way every time. Always playing them the same way turns the Seven Games into the Seven Jobs, and bored horses start to get pretty inventive! Try playing the Games with an obstacle where the horse has to do lots of different things, from jumping the obstacle to stepping on it to straddling it, going sideways over it, backing up to it, etc.
Next, consider playing on longer lines. You need to graduate from a 12- Foot Line pretty quickly or it becomes a limiting factor. A 22-Foot or 45-Foot Line give the horse more room to move around, get faster, allow him to express himself, and yet stay connected to you. Longer lines also develop your ability to influence your horse from farther away. Once again, don’t get stuck on just the Circling Game. Use obstacles, do different things with them, and keep your horse mentally engaged. Get him to think and wonder what you’re going to ask him to do next!
INDULGE THE TALENT!
A horse who is mouthy and nippy is also showing his need for oral interaction. Play with his mouth a lot, and do more than he really wants: Rub vigorously with your hands, pull his lips around (playfully of course!), rub his tongue with the Carrot Stick, teach him to lead by the tongue, and teach him to pick up your cap or a stick or a bucket. Put this obvious “talent” to good use.
In Australia, a Parelli student taught her once very nippy young horse to fetch her cap when it blew off while riding and to hand it to her. He also learned to participate in the saddling procedure, handing Sharon the pad and then the saddle itself!
STAY OUT OF THE NIP ZONE
Most horses nip because they are too close to you. In Parelli Levels 1 & 2 we teach you to move your horse away a lot and to keep him out of your personal space. Horses with a tendency to nip also tend to crowd your space, are over friendly, pushy and self-confident. Simply asking the horse to stay at a respectful distance can make a big change to his nipping behavior. Remember, if they can’t reach you,
they can’t bite you!
DON’T SMACK ‘EM — BACK ‘EM
If you feel a nip coming on, back your horse up quickly and intentionally. This changes their mind because it’s a dominant move on your part. Give up the smacking. It doesn’t work and it actually can turn a horse nasty. Put more backing into your daily interaction with the horse and above all, don’t let him barge into your space.
Important: Keep your feet still and cause the horse to move his feet, and do it without any emotional tension. It even helps to not look at the horse directly. As soon as he’s backed away, smile and relax. Another hint: If the horse is really aggressive, don’t be on the same side of the fence as him! Play with him through the fence or over the gate or a stall door. You need to get his trust before getting any closer than that.
HORSES ONLY BITE PEOPLE THEY DON’T LIKE, DON’T RESPECT OR DON’T TRUST
Remember, horses are prey animals. They are most concerned about safety. Some horses bite because they are scared or unconfident (right brain); others bite because they are trying to dominate (left brain). In both cases, backing them up works. And in both cases, improving the relationship works. Just like people, horses need to feel liked and respected.
Success with horses relies on knowing how to develop and maintain friendship and respect. That’s what the Seven Games teach you as you evolve through the program Level by Level. It’s a balancing act. You can’t make a horse respect you by punishing him; in fact, it does the opposite. Aggressive people may successfully cause a horse to stop biting but they don’t win the horse’s heart.
Become the kind of person a horse likes, respects and trusts. This means:
a) Play a lot of Friendly Games. Get your horse to like you and have positive thoughts when he sees you. Bring him cookies and carrots (as gifts, not bribes!). Understand life from his perspective, understand how he develops respect, and consider his needs.
b) Develop your leadership skills to a minimum of Level 2 so you know how to earn your horse’s respect without fear. Horses need an alpha or they will assume the role.
c) Play the Seven Games a lot! Prove to your horse you are not a predator, and that he can trust you no matter what. There’s a delicate balance between getting your horse to do as you ask and preserving his confidence.
About Parelli
The Parelli Program, founded in 1981 by lifelong horseman and teacher Pat Parelli, combines in-depth equine psychology and common sense communication techniques into the ultimate recipe for horse and rider success. The Parelli method allows horse owners at all levels of experience to achieve success without force, partnership without dominance and harmony without coercion. Pat and wife Linda are on a mission to make the world a better place for horses and humans, working to inspire, empower and educate through natural horsemanship. Their award-winning educational TV series can be seen on cable and satellite in the USA and UK.