Not so much to do with body language per-se.. But I've come to value ya'll's opinion and wanted to know your thoughts on this:

 

I was giving Kai scratches the other day on both sides of her neck. She usually loves it, but has been showing more attitude lately. Seems like she's tried to push me around.

Anyways, as I was scratching her, she just reached over quickly and bit my arm! It didn't hurt, but it may have been because I was so surprised--She has never nipped at me before.

I had been calmly looking for any signals that she may had been uncomfortable, upset, enjoying herself, etc. but she kept a pretty neutral demeanor (I must have missed something?).

 

Once she bit, I didn't panick, it didn't scare me, but it did surprise me. I didn't jerk back, scream, nothing. I said "NO" very firmly and stepped aggressively toward her, but only did that for a second or two. She was surprised that I reacted like that and swiveled her body around very quickly (fled), but immediately came back very close to me, put her head down a little lower than waste-level, and seemed to have a "I'm sorry I was nasty.." attitude after that. As soon as she fled, I started acting like nothing ever happened.

 

She seems to be less snyde to us both now, so I'm wondering if it might've started registering that things like that won't be tolerated?? She still has a bit of an attitude of "I don't have to if I don't want to"..

 

Did I handle that properly, and what can I do to soften up her thoughts and whatnot toward us?

Views: 254

Replies to This Discussion

Oh, rub it in, Frank! HAHA!!

Megan,

You're a good sport, and you have a sense of humor.  These will serve you well all your life!

Well, maybe she was just trying her luck to see if she could be the "herd leader" for a bit? Or she might have had a sore spot there?
I'm thinking along the lines of your first suggestion.. She definitely had a bit of a "brattitude" when she bit. It felt very much like a "No, I don't WANT you to be the boss!" action. Taking what ya'll have said in to consideration, I definitely think that's the case! Hah!! I hope she learned a valuable lesson!!

Steve said many of us get into the habit of being so nice to our horses, not establishing our boundaries enough at all times that they begin to believe that we belong to them, instead of the other way around...... John Lyons says if your horse bites, that is a reason for harsh discipline..... I can tell you that my horse Oliver, since I quit rubbing on him, or "petting" him for the past three weeks and gone back to staying outside of the "bubble", he is yawining, dropping, rolling and letting his eyes go back in his head..... he is less seemingly confused, more respectful and he is not putting his mouth on me ever ever again...... he is licking and chewing too before I take off the pressure even if I am just looking at him...... I recommend trying this more than rubbing your horses and petting them if your horse has a tendency to be a pushy horse....

 

jmho

It was bitter-sweet yesterday, and something along the lines of what you just said (in a way).. I had to call the vet out for Kai (the one who recently bit and has had a "Princess" attitude).. It seems to be just what you said--That she thinks I belong to her! It seems that when I "MAKE" her do things (that are in her benefit, of course), she acknowledges that she needs to listen to me for her safety and well-being, and she is SUCH a sweet heart in those times..

When we got her on her lead yesterday and I told her (through my "energy") that, while I was sorry she had to do soemthing she didn't want to do, we were trying to help her and she needed to stand still.. She calmed down SO MUCH and had PERFECT manners, other than trying to spit her medicine out:) She didn't rear AT ALL, didn't nip, didn't pull.. She was wonderful!! It helps that our vet was AWESOME; that definitely helped..

But I think you gave me a great thought to expound on with my girls.. They are OK with me petting and doting, but they do need me to be more firm and assertive when I want them to do things. They are quite responsive and eager to "play" with me when things go that way! I didn't think of it though, so I'm glad you said something!!

By the way, we found out that my girls are 10 & 11 years old--Not 5, as we originally thought!

RSS

The Rider Marketplace

International Horse News

Click Here for Barnmice Horse News

© 2024   Created by Barnmice Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service