How To Avoid Being Bitten When Engaging With A Horse

In multiple videos I have shown the tactic I use to interact with "nippy" or "bitey" horses. Most people have done this exercise well, however some people have gotten bitten. The only way a horse could bite you in a context like this would be if the horse's body was too close to you.
If your horse is standing a respectable distance away and reaches out to you with his muzzle then they wouldn't be able to bite you randomly. If however your horse decides to get closer to you, I would first make some space and make sure they are reaching out respectfully.
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[@randomvielleuse527]

What a great distinction between wanting to engage and possibly wanting to dominate. Extremely helpful! Thank you!

[@louisegogel7973]

✨🌟💛 I totally agree

[@emmapons8689]

So helpful! I was having this exact issue with a young horse and just engaging with them wasn’t working. I didn’t realize she was also stepping forward into my space.

[@louisegogel7973]

Thank you! That distinction between pushing on personal space and reaching for connection is really important. Learning horse language is a really good and probably long term study. There are so many nuances, including being aware of and having control of one’s own thoughts, feelings, and body language.

[@sseeback6754]

I liked the shaking hands comparison. That really made sense. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@zaaz1471]

Quite the handsome guy you've got there. I don't think I've ever seen a horse yawn more lol

[@heathercollins4432]

Lovely releases....

[@kidstuff44555]

I used to own a stallion, and he too used to yawn often when we were doing anything. I think its a way that stallions in particular release tension or express their feelings

[@ellieelizabeth5627]

😂 I started yawning as I was watching him.

[@appylover5283]

@@ellieelizabeth5627 haha same here

[@MsDormy]

This advice was perfect for a cob pony I look after, who is anxious and dominant. He developed the nippy thing, one summer, and I tried Warwick’s advice and it has completely stopped. Now to address the body-push, which I am certain also stems from the pony’s insecurity. Thank you Warwick.

[@bendrui]

That horse REALLY wanted Warwick's attention! I think he's a snuggle-bug, lol

[@victoriaolender6289]

I think this is especially helpful for lesson horses and children. Given little to no personal space when being worked with, often with one or two additional people to assist the rider, it's no wonder some horses get frustrated and "misbehave". Combined with different personalities, the ones who are naturally more dominant will have something to say about it. I've encountered many horses who will nip, pin ears, and become belligerent around children because I think they know what's coming next: several hours of zero personal space and "corrections" (usually smacking) like it's a fault for having thoughts on the matter. Not to mention all the restrictive equipment like flash nosebands and martingales... I've never seen anyone teach about a horse's personal space in my riding career except for Mr. Schiller and a couple other horsemen, and it's definitely not common knowledge. I hadn't even acknowledged the concept until I saw these videos. In the English riding world everybody is taught to hold a lead with two hands, one usually under the chin or close to it. I don't think that illusion of control is going away any time soon, and for people who haven't been exposed to anything else, it's a struggle to begin questioning that.

[@saspinks3001]

Victoria - Anyone holding a lead rope that thinks they can actually "hold" or "control" a 1,000lb animal is just fooling themselves. Human strength is no match for a horse. That's why horse "training" (without fear) is about learning how to get the horse to work WITH you.

[@louisegogel7973]

Watch Steve Young Horsemanship for many many videos which demonstrate working with pushy horses to reset their mindsets so they don’t push anymore.

[@mdee860]

Really clear explanation on how to fix a pushy horse. He was certainly respectful after the energy/flag session. Thank you.

[@theloyalcanine9004]

How funny this popped up today. I recently got a new 2.5yr stud colt and before ever thinking of getting a stud i had randomly watched your previous video on mouthiness. This new boy took mouthy to a whole new extent (literally acted like he was just put in cross ties and never allowed to explore with his head) i remembered your last video and in 2 weeks has made drastic improvements. Granted we also have bewn working on not being pushy and nose & mouth rubs are reward for questioning vs telling. He is a horse who LOVES that nose and mouth rub/contact but previously could tell he just got bopped in the nose for his mouthiness. So awesome to see his changes. Great helpful videos! Thank you!

[@Kelly_Ben]

I've got a boarder with these behaviors, who was gelded late. This video was a great clarifier. Thanks!

[@lisaliu1133]

Mark Langley Calm Connection Horsemanship has been preaching this for a long time. I see a lot of improvements with my horse fallowing his guidance. Glad to see more folks spreading the word.

[@Caballo96L]

Awww. He looks like he stuck his face into a bucket full of white paint. ^^

[@yvonneost12]

He does , does'nt he

[@MsDother]

I believe that's known as a Medicine Hat and is viewed by Native Americans as being a sacred, spiritual horse.

[@brendareed8412]

Medicine hat, I have read, is when the ears and top of head are an island of color surrounded completely by white.

[@pamelaoxford3482]

Baldface is what its called

[@pamelaoxford3482]

@@MsDother Baldface.

[@gailkarabell9622]

What a face, so handsome! Cracks me up with his yawning all the time☺️☺️☺️☺️

[@soinsdetentebiomecanique]

Hi Sir! As a horse trainer myself, I'm always looking to learn more and to increase my awareness. I'm so happy that I found your videos. I appreciate a lot the way you express and describe the langage of Energies. I also appreciate that you allow horses to express themselves and guide them through reasonnable boundaries to promote well-being and safety. If, one day, you come in Quebec, please let me know!

[@louisegogel7973]

I love how Warwick works with and explains things with horses. I think it is really important to get all the information together from different videos and people so one can get a much fuller understanding than just one short video can give us. Have you also found the following people: Klaus Hempfling, master of his own body language and so expressive with them that they respond very quickly to him. Steve Young Hirsemanship, wonderful horse-people issue solver, with such clarity and kindness. Dr Robert Miller, Veterinarian who explains horse behavior really well. There are more, including the frame by frame reviews Rick from Think Like a Horse does that really show the subtle language which the rest of these guys are telling us about. Let me know what you think please.

[@lucasa1849]

This! I was really wondering about that. The energy is also different when they crowd you compared to when they reach out to you.

[@marylamb56]

Excellent question! Sometimes, a reach, from a horse, in my experience, is really, an attempt to to take over, and invade your territory. A test, from the lower, pecking, horse. Been there, done that. I had read it incorrectly. Then, realized, The lower level horse, was hoping , Me, would be the the lower horse. Every day, a horse lives, they are fighting to to be the highest in the pecking order. They are always looking for a possible gap , or gate way, to gain power. Or, rather to simply proving, that they are in charge of the herd. So, stupid me, thought that my , get into my space horse, was being friendly and cuddly, became more pushy and aggressive. But, I got the memo, in time and corrected him clearly, but with out pain. By not by moving away from him. But asking him to move away from me Conley. With a lead rope. Gentley. Now, we have a good/ clear , respectful, relationship! Just thought I’d share! Don’t quit! You’ll be ever happy!

[@lucasa1849]

@@marylamb56 . I think it’s a very outdated mindset to think horses are always looking for upportunities to gain power over us. Doesn’t make sense. (But I can understand that when you’re convinced of that in your head, almost everything the horse does can be interpretet as an attempt to take over.) My comment was an observation, not a question. And I have a very nice relationship with my horse because I respond differently to different situations. And I also listen to him when he tells me he’s not okay with something. I’d rather not start a (respectfull) debate. So let’s agree to disagree on anything we don’t see the same way.

[@marylamb56]

@@lucasa1849 I totally, respect you, and respect that! For, you and others, And myself..We are passionate, , driven to learn more, about these wonderful horese! God bless. Meant no harm. tThank you 😎

[@louisegogel7973]

@@marylamb56 It seems to me that horses are testing the leadership indeed, but not to take over the pecking order so much perhaps, as to make sure the leader actually can lead and keep the herd safe. At least that makes sense to me in this kind of dynamic a little from watching and being around horses, but mostly from the horse videos of people like Warwick, Steve Young, Dr Miller, Klaus Hempfling, and Rick Gore (Think like a horse). Each person adds new or different perspectives about horse and people language and together their wisdom is quite amazingly helpful.

[@twade909]

Thankyou, I love that clarification about space, then engagement 👏 cleared up a blank spot for me

[@lindaliestman4397]

Excellent work done on this topic. I tell students that a horse’s lips and muzzle are their fingers and hand. So, this idea makes sense to me. Thanks

[@ingrida5087]

Thank you, I've just taken on a very big guy whose default when stressed is to use his body weight. He will literally drop a shoulder into you. He is very mouthy and we've been working on space so it's great to have that distinction between engaging and something more

[@allisone.1429]

Ah, thank you for this clarification! I was getting bit by my horse too when I tried it and this has to be it. He was also stepping closer to me while trying to nip at me.

[@Bellbebell]

That stallion is cracking me up!! So relaxed!

[@heathercollins4432]

Funny that this popped up right on time - I've been working doing this engagement with a horse (not mine) but he kept taking cheap shots at me (biting.) So this totally clears it up - thanks!!!

[@hopekibo9044]

Same! So glad he made this video too😃

[@lisaraeshannon4590]

I love this man!!! He's teaching me to turn an alpha pushy mare into a pleasant, loving partner. It's taking time and patience, but all well worth it ♥

[@louisegogel7973]

And how is it going now,taking over the lead role? As I understand it, the horse doesn’t necessarily want that highly alert job, but to be able to relax.

[@westernshack]

Dude this totally worked!!!! I did it for 1 day for 30 min 3 times and the next day he stopped biting lol thank you so much ! Way better then using an elbow 👍🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@louisegogel7973]

✨💛✨

[@traciebarton-barrett7935]

These videos are so helpful! I love how there are two main areas of focus in these videos--Warwick and the stallion! It tickled me every time he would yawn. Now, I've learned to anticipate a yawn!

[@reneehollenbeck5824]

Excellent example! Thank you Warwick. Really helps to know what you are thinking and what you are looking for as well as what you dont want.

[@julierussell8876]

So much yawning going on with Rey. He’s changed a lot over the year it’s lovely.

[@g.k.8912]

Great video with a perfect example. (I learned I wasn't waiting for ears to come back on me) Thank you!

[@mrstowner]

OH is'nt he a LOOKER! The horse I mean, sorry Warwick!!

[@katarinamills8530]

😁🙈👏

[@BMXingEntomologist]

Thank you for your videos. I tried engaging with my horse’s muzzle when he went to bite, but as you described, he was also pushing into my space, so I got bit. Thank you for addressing this specific scenario. I feel more prepared to work with him again today. I will use what you showed about backing him up, but also look for him to reengage with me and hopefully approach more respectfully.

[@illssolution5720]

Invade vs. invited. Dominating you vs. repecting you. This differentiation will keep you safe and your horse respectful.

[@lauraalbertson7821]

Thank you I needed this like yesterday! 🐴💜🐴

[@donna_NC]

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL Horse! He’s yawning in every video and so relaxed I love it Thank you GREAT teaching videos. I am here and was Recommended by @Think Like A Horse

[@louisegogel7973]

Nice! Did one of the commenters or Rick himself suggest this?

[@donna_NC]

@@louisegogel7973 it was through Rick I discovered Warwick Schiller. Have a great day 😊

[@kathybradbury]

I grew up around other people’s horses, going up to the fence and calling horses I didn’t know to give them handfuls of grass and a pat. That stopped when one day in a new neighborhood I spotted a couple of horses in a pasture and went to say hi to them, and one of them trotted up to me...just as I got close to the fence he snaked out his neck and tried to bite! Scared the crap out of me, and I’ve been wary of horses ever since.

[@destinationaddictionsamsar7894]

I've never seen a horse yawn so much😂 you'd better channel his name to Sleepy

[@LythaWausW]

You mentioned that this horse had been over corrected in its former life. Is that the cause of the yawning? If so, can yawning be compared to the mouth clapping foals do when claiming innocence to other horses?

[@Kholoured]

never mind this video answered my question about doing this with stallions and colts. I think this is a fantastic solution to a problem with a lot of horses. most of them are not being aggressive they are just annoying lol like a little child constantly hanging on you lol

[@klarakozakova907]

Great tip! Thank you. My horse has been nuzzling more and more, that escalated to when we are walking on lead and seems to be more overbearing.

[@nancynewlin]

The horse’s yawning was quite funny.

[@marylamb56]

To me, They just are trying to figure out where they are standing in the herd. And, questioning, the two legged horse, And questioning, is this two legged horse, lower than me in the pecking order? I feel that the horse, as a herd animal, is testing his animal, herd instincts. Call me crazy!

[@louisegogel7973]

I think you are crazy accurate. 😁 👍🏼

[@louisecassidy5991]

Good video. That what you call "Medicine Hat" or some such? Unusual even marking, looks like God dipped his head in a paint pot. Greetings from Australia. He wants to be a "nice" horse. He's in the right hands now.

[@julierussell8876]

A Medicine Hat marking is when the body as well as the face particularly is whte but the have the colouring on the top of their head, ears and a little of the forehead, a little like a Micky Mouce club hat.!

[@markjutton1920]

Did you give him a sedagive ? He looks so happy .

[@RickyJr46]

Solid gold 🌟

[@ben187ya]

I think you’re boring him 4:16 is gold 🤣🤣🤣

[@samuelbrown3693]

Love the wisdom!

[@yvonneost12]

WOW what a awsome coloured horse

[@Sofiarivassculptor]

Absolutely love that

[@jessicacrudup6976]

What should be done with a horse that likes to push and nudge with their head?

[@catdog8799]

Thx Chef 🙏💐

[@Amber-dh5hp]

Thank you for this!!! Really curious about further stallion specific content! How would you respond if this method results in the stallion getting aroused? My inclination is to lift my energy up/send him away (perhaps enough movement or work until he is flacid?). Should I be waiting until they "make a move" or give a dominant vibe? I so appreciate hearing your thoughts ♡

[@WarwickSchiller]

Usually the arousal is dopamine, not a lustful intention. Id ignore it

[@Amber-dh5hp]

@WarwickSchiller Thank you so very much for your guidance 🙏 You're making an immeasurable impact globally - in this case for a Royal Canadian Mounted Police stallion. Thanks for taking the time to respond, I will try this approach!

[@Sofiarivassculptor]

Absolutely love ❤️ that

[@stitchedlogos]

Very helpful. I'd like to see how you might correct a horse that wants to nip at your while you are leading them at a safe distance.

[@louisegogel7973]

Watch some other trainers as well as more of Warwick’s… Steve Young for one really does a clear job in his long videos of explaining this kind of situation and how to correct it. Your own thoughts and body language have a lot to do with how a horse responds too. They seem to know what mood you are in and the thoughts, visual probably, that you have regarding them in your mind.

[@barbaradimmitt5655]

Very helpful.

[@kathyb5740]

Our 2 year old horse bites when being groomed....she bit me once so hard it drew blood...once while giving her treats she backed up and turned and attempted to kick when the treats were gone........any feedback ?

[@EmilySmith-hz1ko]

The only horse I’ve ever been around that has tried to bite someone ( this guy succeeded too ) had bad ulcers that the owner refused to treat 🤷‍♀️

[@louisegogel7973]

Help me or stay away I am hurting kind of bite?

[@candicebowen2505]

Warwick I hope you read this.... I have a young horse that has definitely been challenging me and has been my most challenging. He is that biting nipping and pushy horse. And I like this explanation but perhaps you can help Me a little more. What if my horse automatically wants to take off from me instead of just backing out of myself.... how do you handle that and get their attention back on you and want to stay instead of running. I have also been having some issues with backing that he’ll do it for a short time or as soon as I ask he wants to run away or he wants to try and run through me... I feel we are in a constant dance around as to who is the lead horse in our herd.... I should Mention he is 9 months old. I wanted to mention that he shows me signs of join up, licking and chewing, lowering head, yawning etc... however his attention is very sporadic and still would rather be some where else other then with me.

[@WarwickSchiller]

H i Candice, thats certainly a lot going on for a 9 month old. Id say that the interactions you have had with him up till this point has set the scene, so Id want to change them. The first thing is giving up control. If he runs away, he runs away, nothing to get too excited about. Training horses you dont go from bad to perfect, you solve an issue, and now that issue is solved it creates a separate challenge. Then you address that challenge, then the next, and the next.

[@candicebowen2505]

@@WarwickSchiller thanks... I think I have been letting too many people get in my head at the barn with him. We were doing really well, minus the fact he was nippy, and our dynamic had changed a bit where he wasn’t feeling well and then husband had knee surgery so lunging and or routine got changed And his attitude changed. People have been getting on me about his nipping and biting. Which is was minor before. I remind them he is a baby and it will get their and lessen. I just need to kind of shut out everyone’s opinions out at the barn and get back to doing me... and thank you, I will remind myself it’s ok if he goes away. But what about when he wants to run into me? Or he steps into me with his shoulder?

[@WarwickSchiller]

@@candicebowen2505 thats all a part of the training, teaching him to yield and be aware of your energy.

[@candicebowen2505]

@@WarwickSchiller I will definitely evaluate what I am doing and what I can change or need to change. Thank you.

[@sleepinglioness5754]

What do you do, how should you react when they do bite you?

[@WarwickSchiller]

I usually say ouch, and kick myself for not being present

[@sleepinglioness5754]

@@WarwickSchiller I had a horse haul off and bite my leg (6" bite into the nerve). While I was trying to regain consciousness someone went into the stall and beat him. That is not what I wanted to have happen.

[@AlaskanAndie]

Fascinating!!!

[@laukuze]

That horse is yawning so much... and I yawn whenever I see anyone yawn. I yawned so many times during this video, the sides of my mouth legit hurts. Either way, cool vid :)

[@NC700_68]

Warwick, i hope you read this. this is my short story of how i got bitten by a stallion: a friend of mine lives next to a sport horse facility. when i was there, i noticed a stallion being put into a fenced square pen. it was easy to notice because he was cantering very fast, kicking with his rear legs, making a lot of aggressive whinny noises, going back and forth, in circles, all over the place. it felt to me like somebody pissed him off. so i tried to calm him down, he eventually did. i got his attention. i tried to interact with him for about half an hour. of that half an hour, i managed to gently pet him above his mouth, but that only happened twice and not for any longer than 3 seconds. the rest of that half hour was only this: him trying his absolute best to grab me with his lips. he managed to get to my face a few times so i redirected that with both my hands, but his behavior did not change. it is as if he thought i had food in my hands and he was trying to grab it with his lips. his body language was not aggressive or anxious in any way. he was pretty relaxed ( after i tried to calm him down ), if i walk to another part of the fenced area ( outside the fence ), he would follow me. and then the whole thing started over again. eventually it went wrong and his teeth hit behind a few of my finger nails which started bleeding. as soon as it happened, i somewhat panicked and clapped my hands to sort of tell him i did not like that...... do you have any idea what might have been the reason for this kind of behavior?

[@The-LongRoad-Home]

I know in my experience I never offer a nippy horse my hands open. I never put anything out there I'm not willing to lose ! definitely not waving my fingers in front of a young horse testing the grounds of dominance...It sounds like unfortunately it may have been your fault you got bit, I'm Certainly not saying that you asked for it...I'm really saying Be calm, stand your ground, be smart and don't put anything out there you're not willing to lose... Once you see that rapport with the horse, that's when we start with comfort...

[@NC700_68]

@@The-LongRoad-Home if you are correct, then i say: "that is what i got for trying to be nice". story of my life

[@WarwickSchiller]

All my advise is for working with your horse, not someone elses.

[@lisazappolo9989]

@@The-LongRoad-Home You say that he had just been turned out. How long had he been locked in a stall? He needed to blow off all of that energy from having been locked up. It's what they do when first turned out and you trying to "calm" him was not what he needed. He had pent up energy that needed to be expended and to call to his friends and let them know that he was out. If you want to put human emotions onto the horse, let's think of kids that are on recess or at the end of a school day. You paid the consequences for interfering.

[@louisegogel7973]

@@NC700_68 I too have had the idea that I should help out when there is something that seems off, the rescuer syndrome I guess we might call it. It is not wrong to want to help, but I learned from experience, that my help simply can be not helpful unless the other wants it and calls for it. Also, checking in with your intuition, as well as what the other is actually needing is a life long journey that I am still on, but see improvements as I strive forward and realize that not all want help with their issues! Most just want to be understood and supported for getting through stuff on their own. Horses understand nice differently than people. Their language is different. They are prey animals and behave from that paradigm. We are more the ones who prey on such animals and our entire ways of interacting show it. We look straight at something, making eye contact, so does a puma, or tiger. Horses keep their eyes on everything, on every move and nuance to be ready to run or defend themselves at the slightest possible threat. I would say watch a lot of videos… Steve Young, Klaus Hempfling, Dr Robert Miller, Think like a horse, as well Warwicks. Together from seeing through different perspectives, things have made a lot more sense to me, though I am still learning. First take care of YOU, That in itself will help everyone around you more than you might believe. Let me know if this helps!

[@inspiringscriptureartw-kar3761]

I recently was teaching my horse a new thing, we do liberty exercises. When I tapped his leg to lift, he kept biting me. I see from this video he used his body to come at me. He was frustrated at me asking and he kept going for me, what should I do as I don't like the aggressive way of interacting with him

[@louisegogel7973]

Ground work

[@nikijareo1129]

This was helpful for me. I love his white face.

[@marliesvanliempt4596]

Why does the horse yawn so much? I am curious :)

[@julierussell8876]

he is relaxing and letting go of pent up stress or anxiety or worry. It is a sign of being relaxed and content. Another sign is the stallion let down his erm apendage which he did while Warwick was showing footage of the warmblood interaction but clearly at 3:45 onward.

[@marliesvanliempt4596]

@@julierussell8876 thanks! I am going to look the video again with this informatie in my mind!

[@ellieelizabeth5627]

After I got off my horse a few days ago he rubbed his head up and down my back. I figured he was scatching an itch. Maybe I shouldn't have let him do that. I didn't know what to do so I didn't make any kind of fuss about it.

[@Jazzy-kk4sk]

Some people think its 'disrespectful' but in my opinion, a horse just scratching his head and loving on you a bit is a good thing. To tell him off for a simple scratch would shut down some of the relationship between the horse and the owner. Of course, every situation is a bit different but with a horse that understands personal space it's not a problem in my opinion

[@terryst9835]

What you can consider in the future, to ensure he does not inadvertently hurt you or himself by catching his bridle on your coat or something, is to 'help' him with his itch. As soon as you get off, take your hands and rub them all over his face and around his ears, where he might be itchy, assuming he will tolerate that. Or hold your hands in front of his head with a stiff elbow so he can rub himself on your hands, but will not become too pushy with his body.

[@sidilicious11]

I love the feel of them rubbing their faces on my back and shoulders, but I only let them do it if their head is bare, not if they have a halter or bridle on. They can hurt you and your clothes rubbing you with head gear on. That’s my rule with my horses..

[@dorothea5647]

aaawkaj i (yawn) got your (yawn) point .....yawn. :)

[@RenzaRooney]

I did this when a stallion was nipping me I was never taught …just came natural for me to rub his mouth but I did it thinking it’ll show him “haha you can’t bite me , I’m just gonna rub rub and he would stop and stare at me like he liked it so I just continued to rub rub rub and giggle with him about it lol

[@truthwillwin3]

That horse seems to be getting off a big amount of stress with all the yawning :)

[@valcurley5010]

He’s also telling his owner he needs a cleaning at 3:47...

[@julierussell8876]

they let down when they are super relaxed whether anyone is around or not; :-)

[@terryst9835]

And he is a stallion

[@cleokatra.]

Where can I get the flag you have 😟

[@dellmcleod917]

Go to his website. He sells them

[@GerryCoxHorsemanship]

Sorry Bro, I was too mesmerized by the babe in the V-SHRED AD I had to watch her 2-3 times before watching your video...

[@Brett33]

I know , I know.....stay away from it's mouth .

[@jodahl2677]

I had the situation today (3rd session on caressing his mouth while trying not to be bitten and spending a lot of time with him just observing and imitating). Looking at my more and more eaten hands, I came to the conclusion that something is not working correctly. I noticed differences between gentle nibbles, cheeky nibs, annoyed small bites and quite agressive bites where I need a stick to push him off or he walks me over. I was quite happy to notice these differences the last days. I saw that he does the same to other horses who don't really disike it and who are obviously less fragile when bitten in a loving way. The problem is that he changes very quickly his bitey moods and I go from gentle caressing to being wobbled around from his teeth tucked into my jacket to being pushed away in a quite dangerous way. I see that I have to react much more precise when his mood changes; but it feels a bit silly to go from caressing to self defence within a second. I also see progress, as we had some nice head rubs which he never allowed before, also yawns and a lot of lip licking, so it can't be that wrong. Sometimes he stands "far away" with his head being all invasive, sometimes he gets close in a gentle or a dominant way. What works well is that I turn around and ignore him for a moment (outside the paddock), then he goes away eating, I come back and we start again (lots of back turning and restarting, but it helps, it was the long start of the last 3 sessions). I would like to have a video how to defend my bubble with a dominant horse. Besides waving a stick up and down (he comes closer anyway to feel the stick tap him) and pushing the stick into his breast to make him back away (and I often need all my force), nothing really works when he is in his dominant mood. He can also be very sensitive, go back on a gentle touch of my hand, very reactive to ground work. I would love to have a gentle way of teaching him my bubble space. I really love this crazy dominant horse (which is not mine for the moment) , brought up with a bottle, late castration,, 8 years old and being worked only since summer 2019... we started at zero, progressing well, but certain situations are still dangerous. Sorry for the long story ;-) Warwick, thanks a lot for your videos I discovered you only a week ago, you are doing amazing work!