A good way to establish yourself is to keep his head front and center when you are working around him, including for grooming. If it starts to drift, either away from you or closer to you than you would like, use your hand to push it back where you need it to be for whatever activity you are doing. Pressure on his cheek or neck should get the point across that his head belongs where you want it to be. [1] X Research source There are other general ways to make sure your horse respects you. Watch the rest of his body to make sure he is standing where you want him to, and if he is not, push him to move back. If you are riding him, don’t let him wander off in directions other than the one you want him to go. If he does that, make him stop, and lead him in your direction, not his. [2] X Research source If he is a young colt, or has been allowed to misbehaved in the past, you will probably need to do these things several times for him to get the message. Keep your responses consistent, and he will learn.
A number of different things can cause aggression in horses. Usually, it is a sign of unease, which come from being in an unfamiliar location, meeting new people or horses, or even boredom. In general, it is best to remove your horse from a situation where he begins acting aggressively. Otherwise, try to keep his day busy and activities varied to prevent boredom and encourage good social behavior with other horses. [4] X Research source
If lots of people interact with your horse (say at a riding barn), and have been hand-feeding him, have them stop immediately. You don’t want the horse associating hand-feeding with others. This will make him more likely to bite as he gets frustrated with new people that don’t feed him. This is especially true if they are being hand-fed by people who don’t know what they are doing. [8] X Research source Your horse may go through an aggressive period where he won’t understand why he isn’t being fed, but that will pass as long as you are consistent with this new treatment.
Check your horse’s equipment to make sure it fits properly and is the appropriate tightness. This is especially true for tack equipment such as the saddle and bridle. If it is either too tight or too loose, it will not feel right to the horse. Always make sure your gear, especially pieces made from leather, are clean and sturdy. This will prevent irritation to your horse, and make it less likely for you to have an accident from a broken tack. Check your horse’s shoes as well. Make sure they are clean, don’t have any impediments, and fit properly. If there is an issue, contact your farrier to have the shoes adjusted or reshod. [11] X Research source Eye injuries are also a common problem for horses. If your horse is squinting or tearing up, you notice his lids swelling, his corneas becoming opaque, or facial asymmetry (each eye looks different), check with your veterinarian to determine the problem.
It can be helpful to add a loud “Stop!” or “Knock it off!” to increase the shock for your horse. Adding language can also help train the horse to recognize verbal commands, so that eventually saying “Stop!” will help prevent biting without the physical contact. [12] X Research source Alternatively, have a rope nearby. If a colt starts nipping, give him a swish with the rope. This mimics the response he would get from an older horse’s tail, reminding the colt who is in charge. [13] X Research source If you aren’t comfortable striking the horse, you can also use your thumb and forefinger to twitch him between the nostrils on his nose or his neck. It won’t hurt him, just give an unpleasant shock that he won’t want repeated.
It can be a good idea to reward your horse immediately after punishing him. This can help reestablish trust, and let him know he is now doing the right thing, that is standing still rather than trying to bite.
This also means responding early in your horse’s life. Young colts nip because they don’t always know better. If your horse gives you a little nibble, respond as you would if it were a full bite. This can help prevent bad habits from getting worse as your horse gets older. It is never too soon to let your horse know what isn’t appropriate, so he can understand the right way to act.
