[CrazyHorse]

Today I went out to get Dex to just lead him around & do a little bonding with him. Well first of all he came right to me when I went into the pasture which is something he hasn't done before so I was tickled to pieces! I've been sitting on the ground waiting for him to come to me, but today he nickered at me & came right to me. Good boy! Well now comes the part that really has me baffled. As I was leading him & we started getting further away from the barn, he bit me on the arm! I was so shocked I didn't know what to do! This horse, in the 3 months we've had him, has NEVER attempted to bite or kick. I didn't want to pop him on the nose for fear of making him headshy, so I yelled no at him & he put his head down & gave me some of the saddest puppy dog eyes that it melted my heart. He was good after that, but I don't understand what made him bite me! Any ideas?

[sher327]

Ouch, I am so sorry he bit you! I wish I could tell you why he did it but I guess in his mind it could have been a million different things! I sure hope that was a one times thing,if not I guess you found an issue to work on and not a fun one LOL

[CrazyHorse]

Yeah, I hope it was a one time thing too! It didn't really hurt bad, but I definitely felt it! LOL! Maybe he was scared of something where I was leading him.

[Crossedkeys]

How old is he?

The younger horses at the Stables I ride at tend to bite their mothers/friends, urging them into grooming them... or merely to play.

XD I was only six when I was petting a yearling. She hadn't been taught to 'not groom back' when being groomed/petted. I was petting her and she just reached over and took a nip at my upper arm thinking we should exchange in the activity.. >>

[bishopsangels]

I also hope it was a one time thing. When we rode my gelding the first time (since fall) yesterday and when he didn't want to turn, he would bend his head back and try to bite our toes...I told my kids to lightly tap him when he went to bite and tell him NO! He finally got the hint and quit.

[CrazyHorse]

Originally Posted by bishopsangels

I also hope it was a one time thing. When we rode my gelding the first time (since fall) yesterday and when he didn't want to turn, he would bend his head back and try to bite our toes...I told my kids to lightly tap him when he went to bite and tell him NO! He finally got the hint and quit.

That's what my 8 year old gelding does! When I'm riding him & he doesn't want to go anymore, he turns his head around & acts like he's going to bite my toes. After a couple of taps with my foot he stops & is great afterwards.

Crossedkeys, he's 5 years old. We've had him since January.

[BarrelBabe]

Definently not a good habit! I wonder why he did that...hmm. Maybe he was just playing. My horse tried to bite me one time so I kicked her in the stomach (Expert horseman recommended) but that's because she was being cinched and she's cinchy. You should definently not let him do this and if he does it again make sure he knows it's bad.

[naughtygirl]

Iv heard of people biting there horses back...o wonder if that wuld work! LOL tho u wuldnt c my biting my horse!

[sher327]

well, the only thing I have to compare it to is Shah but he is broke and trained so I doubt you want to do this with him although I guess you need to do something

Shah gets bored sometimes during work and will get "lippy" with your leading hand.I finally had enough of it yesterday and was prepared for it as soon as his mouth came for my hand all sneaky, I swung the tip of the rope and nailed him with it.It took 2 times and he left my hand alone LOL

I'm just glad you weren't teribly hurt!

[BarrelBabe]

Originally Posted by naughtygirl

Iv heard of people biting there horses back...o wonder if that wuld work! LOL tho u wuldnt c my biting my horse!

LMAO! You'd get a mouth full of horse hair...lol. I wouldn't do that, but I bet it works and I've heard of people doing that.