Aggressive Horses

Biting

My new mare bites me (or tries to) every time I touch or groom her. She doesn't seem to be aggressive, just playful, but it hurts! What can I do? Sarah, Napier.

Well Sarah, tell her not to! Easier said than done? No it isn’t. Just develop your body language and move with confidence to touch her somewhere where she doesn’t mind your presence or place yourself in a position where if she does mind, you’re not going to get hurt.

How are you going to do this? Firstly make a decision about where it is that you want to touch (I would suggest that you chose a spot on her neck close to the shoulder) Look her in the eye, if necessary hold the arm nearest her head up as a barrier and tell her that all you want to do is place your hand on this spot and that you are going to do this regardless of what she says and what’s more you will move with her until she accepts that all you want to do is touch that spot (do not attempt to scratch or stroke). Then when she has accepted your touch, reward her by taking your hand away. Repeat this exercise on the same spot until you can touch there without a reaction at least three consecutive times, then introduce a variation, ie a little scratch or a pat but watch her all the time so that you know exactly what and/or where your touch annoys her.

She is probably reacting in this anti-social way because she is thin skinned and/or you are touching a spot that is sore. She is allowed to be sore but she is not allowed to bite you. Tell her this by looking her in the eye as you carefully and tactfully move your touch all over her body. Read her body language when you move into areas that cause her to speak to you in an unladylike fashion. Tell her to stop being a spoilt little Drama Queen, and that you will stop touching her when she stops being rude and that if you are hurting her you need to know exactly where it hurts so that can arrange treatment!