I have a 5 y/o,17.1 hand thoroughbred horse,and he still has some baby habits,how do I get rid of them? HELP !

Question

Because he is so big these habits are dangerous, and i want to get rid of them as soon as possable before they get worse.

1st habit: he doesnt realize how huge his head is, and he swings it around infront of people when they walk by him. He has already knocked 3 little kids onto the ground, and im afraid that hes going to hurt someone, he nudges me alot to. He also rubbes his head on me after we ride, obviously because hes sweaty and itchy from the bridle. But hes so strong that he pushes me over, and no matter how hard i smack him or pull on the nose chain or push him away he just doesnt understand that hes not supost to do that.

2nd Habit: BITING. He constantly bites EVERYTHING. He bites/chews the cross ties, lead chain, basically anything infront of him. I understand he is still in his baby mode , but he is a big horse and i want to stop this as soon as possable so that he can learn some manners. He will even take a nip at me now and then , and i have tried the nose chain method ,and the 3 second rule . But he doesnt understand.

So if anyone has any suggestions on how to stop these bad manners , i will be forever gratefull !

Answer 1

I have only riddin 7 years but my 4 year old did the SAME thing. Whenever he bites, i just hit his nose, not too hard just enough to tell him no. And about the nocking ppl over, just stop him when your leading him and make him relaxises. then tell him good boy and walk again. smack him if he does it again and then stop him and make him relax. hope i help!!!  Sorry i cant spell

Answer 2

I would say that it's very normal.  My step-dad and I am training a horse named rio is is 5.  He has some childish habbits.  Also one of our previous horses, tug was 10 and had the same habbits.   He will grow out of it dont worry.  You just need to smack him when he acts up and give him a carrot or a treat when he's good.  He will understand as he gets older and learn right from wrong.  Untill then you should get another horse to ride and have around the kids.  Still ride him 2-3 times a week.  Don't worry he will out grow it.  Hope I helped:)

Answer 3

I am a professional trainer and this is a common problem solved simply. The horse does this because he trusts you, BUT he has no respect for you or your space. There are a few steps to cure this. Lunging for respect, and punish him when he comes into your space. Here's how:

Lunging for respect(to the left):

1. Stand in front of your horse about 5 feet away.

2. Lead rope in left hand lunge whip in your right.

3. Point with your and and the lead rope the direction you want to go.

4. Tap the air at the nearest body part(not head but neck and shoulders)

5. If he still wont go then tap him four times, and if he still wont move then increase the pressure every four times.

6. After walking/ trotting around you then do this: SLide your hand down the lead rope, take a step in front of his shoulder(drive line) and pull the lead rope to your belly. This will make him yield the hindquarters and stop to face you. NEVER let him walk up to you enless you tell him too, keep an arms length apart, and let him know the only way he can come up to you is if you tell him to. He cant just come up and rub on you. This will teach him respect in many aspects.

After two weeks of this for an hour before and after you ride, will make your other problems dissapear.

If you decide to use my methods then email me at [e-mail] for more tips after you do the lunging for two weeks. Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

Alright, well those aren't always baby habits. Your horse just has vices. Completelyy normal. To break them you have to be firm and confident and when he does them, just jirk a little and say NO firmly. He is a young horse and I think that he will get over it.  

Answer 5

http://www.allivet.com/Devices-s/82.htmC...

It's called a vice breaker. Tough love works and doen't hurt anyone.

Answer 6

By the way you described things, it sounds like he thinks hes the leader for you, and it should be the other way around. You can easily tell when a horse thinks hes the leader;

They will invade you're space (The alfa horse of a herd tells all the other horses where to go and when to move), Doesn't listen to you when you ask him to move over of stand still, Always trying to walk ahead of you, etc.

What i did for my mare was free lunged her a lot. I would turn her out in a large arena and ask her to canter, then i would make her switch directions a lot and make her change her mind on where she thinks she going (Like when horses chase each other in the pasture) If she would stop i would walk in her direction snapping a whip so she knew i wanted her to move. Then i would tell her to whoa and walk up to her, pet her (When horses accept each other the dominate horse will start chewing the other horses mane to let her know she accepts her into the herd.)and If she followed me when i walked away (the less dominate horse usually follows the leader for awhile after she accepts her) i would stop lunging her and if she didn't i would make her run again. I did this about once a week for about 10 minutes every time.don't do it so long that you're horse is ready to fall over but just until he starts to tire out.

After you're horse sees you as the leader when you do tell him 'No' he will listen to what you say because you are his leader.

This doesn't work for ever horse, but most. its worth giving a try right?

Hope this helps and good luck :]

Answer 7

Those aren't baby habits they are just habits that you will have to break. Google it.

Answer 8

okay well the first one actually makes me laugh...hahaha...but i unfortunatly am not at my house now so i dont have my books so idk on the first 1 but wen i get home ill edit my post as for the second one plz plz plz do not smack or bite your horse no matter wat ppl say...simply hold ur elbow out so he will hit himself and he can learn tht he is not more dominant than you but if u hit him he will become head shy and that will cause grooming,bridiling,haltering and equine dentist problems

Answer 9

1st habit: The next time he touches you with his head, smack him on the neck and say NO very loudly. You have to do that right after he does it, or he won't get it. If he doesn't listen at all to that (try it more than once before giving up) smack him on the nose.

2nd habit: As soon as you see him biting something, pull it out of his mouth HARD and say no. And if he tries to bite you that is really not allowed. If he does it when you're not looking, like a lot of horses, as soon as you feel him trying to bite, turn around really fast and yell something short. (no or oi work very well.) Even if he bites your shirt and not you, or he's only using his lips, or he misses, yell at him and smack him once. You have to make him get out of your space, to prove that you dominate him. If he's in his stall and he nips you, even if he's being friendly, yell and wave your arms until he backs up a step or two. Good luck!

P.S. He sounds like a sweetheart!