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Horse Problem Questions & Answers

Biting: Paso Bites

" About a month ago he began refusing to take the bit..."

Hello Mr. Bell,

I just read the email from Joe and Lisa about their aggressively biting gelding. This could have been written by me with one exception... I'm not really new to horses... I had a well trained quarter horse for many years and a few others here and there. I recently bought 2 Peruvian Pasos, a sweet 6 yr. old mare that is coming along very nicely and an 8 yr old gelding that was as calm and gentle as a lamb when purchased 4 mos. ago. He has gradually ramped up his aggressive acts, beginning with a new found stallion like behavior towards the little mare, always herding her, biting her and alternating between being very protective and then even jealous of her.

About a month ago he began refusing to take the bit and refusing, with aggressive behavior, to be bridled at all. Some rearing in his stall with flattened ears has also begun and recently some threats with his back legs raised to kick when being groomed and then the biting began... quick sudden strikes, then pulling up and back with whites of his eyes showing and an attitude like he is just itching for a knock down drag out fight. Last night he was a pussy cat when I clipped on his lead to walk him into his stall from the pasture but quickly became a lion after I removed his halter and turned away. I had dropped the lead rope and bent over to pick it up when he reached over his stall door and bit me so viciously on the right side of my lower back that I was flattened, dropping to my knees in pain. I rose immediately but the pain was so intense that I fell down again and had to crawl out of the pasture on hands and knees and to the house. A trip to the ER confirmed a pinched nerve and a badly torn muscle! I have a swollen bruise the size of a cantaloupe on my lower back and spreading and feel lucky that more damage wasn't done. I can barely walk today. Can all this aggression be due to hand feeding treats or do I just have a nut case horse? The treats have been used as rewards, not bribes, for good behavior and are not always given. I am sick about all this as he is a beautiful horse with great bloodlines and lots of pizzazz to ride (when I could get the bridle on) but frankly I'm beginning to think that he is dangerous and getting worse.

I live in an area that is remote with few trainers... one actually and he doesn't work with gaited horses though behavior problems are universal, I assume. I have a rare, terminal neuro muscular disease and switched to Pasos for their smooth ride but frankly I don't have the stamina to fight with my horse every day or to watch my backside all the time. Got any advise for a bruised and confused 50 yr old cowgirl?

Thanks,

Laurie

Dear Laurie,

Biting on that level is war and he needs to hit the " brick wall" BIG TIME. So, have your ammo ready - a squirt gun, wand with plastic flag, etc. and then set it up for him to not even think about biting. When he gives any indication, even takes a sniff, wap him under the chin with a shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh louder and louder noise. Squirt gun in the face or plastic bag in his face aggressively. We custom assemble the extendable wands - very handy tool. If he's on the lead, back him 10-15 steps with the lead with a jerking motion under his chin making the noise. Then let it sink in. My philosophy is: there is a white zone - a very nice place without treats - just loving words, stroking and the like. I call it bonding as demonstrated in my 'Discover the Horse You Never Knew' video. Conversely, there is a black zone that is no fun, uncomfortable, painful, - his choice. Your timing must be accurate. You only have 3 seconds to react. Let me know how it goes and consider my foundation work. It has helped thousands improve their horse relationships dramatically.

Safe Riding, Frank Bell

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