Ok so i am leasing a horse, and shes really sweet but sometimes when i start to pet her, or even touch her, on her cinch area, she flings her head back and attempts to bite me. She also does this when i tighten her saddle. Any ideas? thanks,
Hannah
My mare does the same thing. I suggest scoping the mare for gastric ulcers (usually covered by insurance), Checking her overall digestive health, and getting massages. My mare had mild ulcers and needed about 10 massages. She now is much better about her belly. I can curry comb her with only a tiny bit of teeth grinding and she no longer tries to bite people that put on her blankets.
It helps to reward her for not reacting to touch in her belly area. I regularly curry comb my mare and give her a pat when she doesn't grind her teeth. I slap her when she grinds her teeth and smack her in the mouth if she tries to bite. After awhile she will learn to be respectful. However, you need to respect that she is trying to show you that she is in pain. So try to do everything you can to reduce that pain.
She's just sensitive there, some people call it "cinchy" or "girthy" - - she's anticipating you tightening something up on her girth area and she's attempting to tell you beforehand not to do it because she doesn't want to be pinched. Probably has had her cinch or girth tightened too tightly too quickly. It becomes habit for her to try to bite the person tacking her. It's really not her fault, but you nonetheless can't allow her to bite you. Tighten you cinch up inch by inch (or hole by hole) with walking in between so she's allowed to gradually get used to it before you get it riding-tight. She may still try (probably will) to bite you out of anticipation. Just meet her nose with a sharp elbow and ignore her otherwise. Don't hit her. Just don't let her bite you. Eventually she may stop the habit.
From the way it sounds it probably is a attitude problem. She doesn't like being cinched because she feels claustrophobic. Now a lot of people will tell you to smack her every time she turns to bite you but then she will just hate you more. Let's say there was someone at work who you just hate! If they start complementing on you and giving you chocolates, how much longer can you hate them? Aggressive horses need more loving and I'm not saying she is aggressive, but she doesn't like being cinched, so every time she turns to bite you give her a cookie! ! Pretty soon she can't think bad things about you and she will learn to love being cinched and look forward to saddling! You can catch more bee's with honey (being sweet) than with vinegar (being mean)! Hope that helps!!
there are numerous possiblities ulcer's sores bloating they do that alot etc. the best thing we alway's did was we started very slowly cinching the girth also there are alot of people using the rubber girth's now if you are they can cause alot of rubbing and causing alot of your problem. make sure it'e the right size girth to fit your horse since you are leasing her. i agree with another comment as well everytime she turn's her head to nip giver something apple carrot's that will put nothing but loving and possitive re-inforcement. the more you show loving affection the better they are. we now have no more nipping horses because of this and start heavy with it and slowly and gradually not as much treat's then you will not need any more. best of luck .... but i do not recommend thumping or hitting your horses or what ever the case may be.
If you slap her fast and hard enough on the soft part of the muzzle she will not do it again. (Fast and hard it the key those wussy taps will not make her quit) Then act like you had no idea of where the hit came from.
when she tries to do it again, give her a little smack under her mouth/teeth. I swear, she will never attempt to bite ever again.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com The horse will bite it's teeth, and will think twice about biting.
She probably has a small sore spot just behind the leg where she has been pinched with the girth being pulled to tight. There was something said about ulcers, ulcers do not go away from being massaged or adjusted.
