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ponymad!
07 Nov 2011 19:29
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I have a 4 year old pony on loan and we had been getting on fine, until the lady who owns him has let an 8 year old child ride him ( on lead rein of course ). The problem is now he bites when I'm undoing his rug, when being lead and whilst grooming!!
Its a complete change in behaviour he used to be really chilled out and gentle with me when grooming etc now I am constantly telling him off!!
I understand that it is probably a change in his routine and other people riding him etc but I would like to know if anyone has any tips on 'how' to tell him off because I have been told to hit him hard when he does it but I don't not sure if I want to hurt him!!
Hope to you can help me!
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Horse Hero Guru
07 Nov 2011 23:57
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I know that biting is a vice and must be treated as such, but it is important to remember that many youngsters are a bit ‘mouthy’ and like to explore things with their mouths – however, you are also sensitive and he has to learn that you are not something for him to chew.
As a general rule, I wouldn’t slap or hit him – by the time you have got a hand out to do so it is too late. Try and avoid getting in to the situation where he can nip at you in the first place. When tacking up etc position yourself by his shoulder so he has to swing round if he is to nip at you and keep your elbow out so that when he does swing at you he catches himself on your elbow and hurts himself without you doing anything. It sounds complicated, but is actually quite easy and not only that, he punishes himself.
For a proper cure you need to sort out why he has started to bite and then use that knowledge to stop the habit before it becomes worse.
First check there is no physical reason for his disliking being groomed, rugged or girthed – he is at an age when he is still growing so make sure his rugs and saddle fit, make sure he has no sore spots from rubs and make sure that he has no tooth problems. If there are problems, get them sorted out.
When he is ridden is he tacked up carefully so that he is not anticipating a girth being suddenly yanked tight? Is he led properly and not having his mouth pulled against (this can cause pain in his mouth that he is trying to cure by biting you)?
When rugging or saddling him, make sure that you do it carefully, giving him warning when you are going to do something he is not too happy about but getting him to stand properly while you do it. Don’t girth up by swinging the girth under him, bouncing the buckles against his elbows before tightening it up hard and fast so that you push the air out of his lungs. Take it one gentle step at a time and of he objects, tell him to stand, take it back a step and continue the process until you get the saddle or rug on properly.
You and your pony should have respect for each other so that you can do what you like with him and he knows that you are not going to hurt him. Since he is a pony who is being ridden by a young chile you must insist on good manners at all times, but he has the right to expect you and everyone else to treat him as a sensitive creature, so training has to be of his child rider as well as him - good luck!
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ponymad!
17 Nov 2011 17:47
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Thank you so much for your advice!!
I am always very careful when rugging, tacking up etc but I have been even more so when undoing rug etc and using the elbow technique and we have seen a vast improvement!! We still have our 'off days' but I am patient and realise that he is still a youngster and with time he will keep getting better and better!
I have shown the child riding him the 'elbow technique' and shown him how to do other things so hopefully the good work will be continued with him as well!!
Now the next challenge will be to teach him how to stand still whilst doing his girth up when I am on him!!! :)
Thanks again for your support!!
Sophie
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