Help my horse will not back up! And he bites!

iwovjerry · 02-22-2008, 05:36 PM

He looks cute huh. I love this little guy to pieces. But he has three really big issues , he wont' back up to save his life, he bites strangers and he kicks. I have tried everything I could think of I used a rope halter the other day and it didn't even make a difference. He constantly bites strangers and kicks out sometimes when you try to pick up one of his back legs. He may try to kick out his leg because it was broken at one time but is now fully healed. Sometimes he will kick his leg out 30 times at one try to hold his leg.

Please Please help me

Brittany

PollyWog · 02-22-2008, 05:42 PM

As far as the kicking goes. I have a solution. So you don't get hurt use a soft cotton rope that's long enough for you to reach his back legs. Stand to the side of his shoulder and while you have him on lead and halter use the long cotton rope and throw it at his hind legs. Let that rope rub up and down and wrap around his legs. He will kick out and twich and move but atleast YOU aren't getting kicked at. Your main goal is for him to stand stil land let you toss and rub that rope on his legs. You can also once you get him comfy take the cotton rope go between his legs and pull it up so your not getting kicked at but he's being taught to lift his leg.

iwovjerry · 02-22-2008, 05:44 PM

thank you so much hopefully it will work I just get so frustrated so i make him do 20 circles. But this sounds much easier.

PollyWog · 02-22-2008, 05:46 PM

Yea!! It is, for backing up you might want to try driving reins on his halter. and get behind and pull. Hold it until he gives his head or takes a step back. Trust me it will come. Just be patient and calm!!

iwovjerry · 02-22-2008, 05:51 PM

He is still to young to be ridden he is only 1 year and 9 mos old. He just wont back up if you try he bites or pins you with his head because he is only 12.1h

dlindsey2000 · 02-22-2008, 05:52 PM

on backing up, is the problem when you ride him or on the ground? if its when your ridding be patient. give good pressure on the riens pulling back, as soon as hes tries to back up let up on the pressure then reward him. just keep repeating till he backs when you ask. the kicking problem you will need a friend to help you. make sure its someone who is not afraid of a kicking horse. do not corner him against something. that can make matters worse. either you or your friend need to carefully stand at his side where he cant kick you. take your hand and find out where he decides that he wants to kick at. keep your hand at that spot and praise him when he does nothing. then start over again. keep doing that till he lets you touch all the way down his leg. dont forget to praise him for every good step he makes. then start working on lifting the leg alittle at a time. find out what height he likes his leg held at then work at moving it to where its comfortable for you. my mare was like that about both her back legs, it took a good 2 weeks slowly working with her but now she acts like shes never had a problem ever.

iwovjerry · 02-22-2008, 05:57 PM

He hasn't been ridden yet I have only been doing ground work with him and he wont back up.

idlewild · 02-22-2008, 05:58 PM

For backing up, put him in the rope halter (or, if you choose you can use a stud chain, but ONLY if you know how to properly use one). Then, get yourself a whip or crop.

When you ask him to back up turn around so that you are facing him. One hand holds the lead rope under his chin, the holds the extra lead rope and the crop. Move your hand back and apply pressure to the halter and give your voice command for backing, I say "Back, Back, back..." If he does not move then take the crop and start tapping him on the chest. If he doesn't respond after two or three taps then hit him harder. You may have to smack him good to get a backwards reaction. But as soon as you do (even if it's only a half step with one foot) stop and praise him! This is VERY VERY important that you are IMMEDIATE with your praise.

After praising him return to your position and ask him again. As before, if you go no reaction use to the crop. He MUST back up when you ask! And most importantly, be consistent about how you ask. If he isn't responding the first time then ask harder, don't just keep nagging him, he will quickly learn to ignore you. And don't be afraid to take your time. It may take a few minutes, or it may take a few weeks before he is consistently backing up from just a light pressure backwards on the halter.

Also, be aware of your body language. Keep your shoulders up and back, chin up, stand proud. If you are slouching and showing submissive body language then your horse is not going to respect you very well. Be dominant in how you act around him. Demand that he give you your personal space, in return, you give him personal space. I think you will see a difference in his behavior.

I hope that helps! If you have any questions, just let me know

iwovjerry · 02-22-2008, 06:03 PM

Thank You I have been working for five months with him but he is so defiant. He has backed up maybe 6 times his entire life. And the same technique doesn't even work anymore.

02-22-2008, 05:36 PM	#1
iwovjerry Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: El Dorado Hills, Nor Cal Posts: 494 Images: 67	Help my horse will not back up! And he bites! He looks cute huh. I love this little guy to pieces. But he has three really big issues , he wont' back up to save his life, he bites strangers and he kicks. I have tried everything I could think of I used a rope halter the other day and it didn't even make a difference. He constantly bites strangers and kicks out sometimes when you try to pick up one of his back legs. He may try to kick out his leg because it was broken at one time but is now fully healed. Sometimes he will kick his leg out 30 times at one try to hold his leg. Please Please help me Brittany

02-22-2008, 05:58 PM	#8
idlewild Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 4,616 Images: 351 Blog Entries: 131	For backing up, put him in the rope halter (or, if you choose you can use a stud chain, but ONLY if you know how to properly use one). Then, get yourself a whip or crop. When you ask him to back up turn around so that you are facing him. One hand holds the lead rope under his chin, the holds the extra lead rope and the crop. Move your hand back and apply pressure to the halter and give your voice command for backing, I say "Back, Back, back..." If he does not move then take the crop and start tapping him on the chest. If he doesn't respond after two or three taps then hit him harder. You may have to smack him good to get a backwards reaction. But as soon as you do (even if it's only a half step with one foot) stop and praise him! This is VERY VERY important that you are IMMEDIATE with your praise. After praising him return to your position and ask him again. As before, if you go no reaction use to the crop. He MUST back up when you ask! And most importantly, be consistent about how you ask. If he isn't responding the first time then ask harder, don't just keep nagging him, he will quickly learn to ignore you. And don't be afraid to take your time. It may take a few minutes, or it may take a few weeks before he is consistently backing up from just a light pressure backwards on the halter. Also, be aware of your body language. Keep your shoulders up and back, chin up, stand proud. If you are slouching and showing submissive body language then your horse is not going to respect you very well. Be dominant in how you act around him. Demand that he give you your personal space, in return, you give him personal space. I think you will see a difference in his behavior. I hope that helps! If you have any questions, just let me know __________________ I have been SNOWBALLED!! 13 times!! Honorary Aussie, Oi! Feliche + Idlewild = Serial Eventers Idlewild and I Love BODIE! are M&M I was on HGS when we made 2 and 3 million posts

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02-22-2008, 05:42 PM	#2
PollyWog Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Killeen, Tx Posts: 701 Images: 6	As far as the kicking goes. I have a solution. So you don't get hurt use a soft cotton rope that's long enough for you to reach his back legs. Stand to the side of his shoulder and while you have him on lead and halter use the long cotton rope and throw it at his hind legs. Let that rope rub up and down and wrap around his legs. He will kick out and twich and move but atleast YOU aren't getting kicked at. Your main goal is for him to stand stil land let you toss and rub that rope on his legs. You can also once you get him comfy take the cotton rope go between his legs and pull it up so your not getting kicked at but he's being taught to lift his leg.

02-22-2008, 05:44 PM	#3
iwovjerry Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: El Dorado Hills, Nor Cal Posts: 494 Images: 67	thank you so much hopefully it will work I just get so frustrated so i make him do 20 circles. But this sounds much easier.

02-22-2008, 05:46 PM	#4
PollyWog Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Killeen, Tx Posts: 701 Images: 6	Yea!! It is, for backing up you might want to try driving reins on his halter. and get behind and pull. Hold it until he gives his head or takes a step back. Trust me it will come. Just be patient and calm!!

02-22-2008, 05:51 PM	#5
iwovjerry Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: El Dorado Hills, Nor Cal Posts: 494 Images: 67	He is still to young to be ridden he is only 1 year and 9 mos old. He just wont back up if you try he bites or pins you with his head because he is only 12.1h

02-22-2008, 05:52 PM	#6
dlindsey2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: currently? columbia, mo Posts: 340 Images: 51	on backing up, is the problem when you ride him or on the ground? if its when your ridding be patient. give good pressure on the riens pulling back, as soon as hes tries to back up let up on the pressure then reward him. just keep repeating till he backs when you ask. the kicking problem you will need a friend to help you. make sure its someone who is not afraid of a kicking horse. do not corner him against something. that can make matters worse. either you or your friend need to carefully stand at his side where he cant kick you. take your hand and find out where he decides that he wants to kick at. keep your hand at that spot and praise him when he does nothing. then start over again. keep doing that till he lets you touch all the way down his leg. dont forget to praise him for every good step he makes. then start working on lifting the leg alittle at a time. find out what height he likes his leg held at then work at moving it to where its comfortable for you. my mare was like that about both her back legs, it took a good 2 weeks slowly working with her but now she acts like shes never had a problem ever.

02-22-2008, 05:57 PM	#7
iwovjerry Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: El Dorado Hills, Nor Cal Posts: 494 Images: 67	He hasn't been ridden yet I have only been doing ground work with him and he wont back up.

02-22-2008, 06:03 PM	#9
iwovjerry Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: El Dorado Hills, Nor Cal Posts: 494 Images: 67	Thank You I have been working for five months with him but he is so defiant. He has backed up maybe 6 times his entire life. And the same technique doesn't even work anymore.