Q&A: How To Tell And What To Do If You Think A Horse Is Going To Bite Your Leg While Riding?

[@rickm0208]

I’m grateful you took the time to answer my question and share it on your channel. The video did an excellent job answering my question and you did an excellent job describing and demonstrating what I was looking for. The horse I was riding was exactly like Roni, and is why I thought nothing of it and decided to rub her neck during the break. I’m absolutely certain the trainer didn’t want the horse to move, but like I described in my question, I turned the switch off and it was break time. All work and no play, or in this case a moment to relax isn’t good either. We just attended a horse event, and one of the trainers and his horse (a cutter) that we were keeping an eye on prior to entering the arena had the exact same exchange I had, and that you demonstrated. The horse was actually bridleless and while standing still the horse flexed back to the trainer’s boot for a check in, the trainer rubbed his neck, the horse straightened out and then yawned. The trainer and horse had a great connection, and that’s all I was trying to do with the horse I was riding that day. Her name was Grace ironically, she was all heart and doing everything I was asking of her. Thank again for all the great content and hard work it takes to share it with us. You’re a true asset and wealth of knowledge. Rick

[@StableHorseTraining]

You're very welcome Rick. I'm glad it helped and I was able to answer the question well enough. Thank you very kindly for the compliments :)

[@micheller1426]

It could be that there is history with the horse that the trainer knows about, but didn’t have time to explain. Perhaps biting issues (which I doubt) or when she’s bored she likes to chew on peoples’ boots. Or even behavior issues where she chews on a boot right before she does something else, like walk off. So maybe the trainer was trying to be proactive. That being said, personally I’ve tried to move away from micromanaging my horse, now I try to give him the benefit of the doubt, because horses live in the moment, this change in me has built trust and confidence in both of us. However, it’s always different when you’re responsible for someone else who is interacting with your horse, so I sum up my comment with....it’s complicated. But, thank you both for sharing.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Since you've responded directly to Rick's comment, I'll pop in briefly on a couple of those items: 1. Horses are bored and chew on people's boots because they "like it" If a horse is going to chew on somebody it means a LOT. If the horse happens to be bored (which I'm not sure how to identify myself...) and they chew on you, then it means they have the courage or position in the herd to let you know that you should get moving along or something. This is not a position you want to be in at all. A horse NEVER chews on another horse (bored to death or not) if they are lower on the totem pole. Make sure you're not below the horse on that totem pole. 2. Horses chew on a boot before walking off. If a horse chews on a boot and then walks off then it's the same as above. You've watched Luke do it a million times. He chews on Lena's leg and starts to move with the expectation she will go with him. Granted it's a communication method to say "let's go NOW" and we can respect that, but more or less you don't want your horse feeling that they are in the position to do that. You want them to be Lena, not Luke. So, Rick, I don't believe either of the above happened to you based on your description so far, but also like I said, I wasn't there and can't be sure outside of your personal instincts. If the above does happen to you, now you know why it's happening and to troubleshoot it. While I don't believe micromanaging is a good term for accurate and quality horsemanship, I do believe that paying attention to all details is important as that is exactly what horses do. Catch the little things before they get big and the idea of "micromanaging" just fades away as the connection gets better for it.

[@micheller1426]

Graeme, I hope I’m getting your name right. For the most part, I agree with you on your points 1 & 2. And as to your comment on the word that I used, micromanage, I suppose there are better ways to explain when a trainer assumes that the horse is going to behave badly and corrects the behavior before it even happens. Again, I’ve changed how “I” respond to “my” perceived ideas for what I think might occur. Of course there are variables. And of course you should always be watching for the small signals that can turn into an explosion, it’s never the horse’s fault when we are caught off guard. An easy way to solve the mystery might be to ask the trainer what was going on.

[@rickm0208]

@@micheller1426 it's complicated to those that do not know horses. This ironically wasn't the trainer's horse either. There's so much I can touch on regarding the trainer, albeit, he is accomplished in his discipline, but like so many other trainers out there, their ego or shady practices, sometime both get in their way. But that's a completely different topic. Back to this specific event, and to shed some clarity, the horse I was riding and the training on was in the Western Reining discipline. Standing still and straight is a very important task for the horses, and I was completely aware of that. The horse I was riding was doing a great job, and did everything I was asking of her, and I doubt very highly she was "board", nor was she every upset during the ride. I asked, she did, and she did it with her heart. Riding horses, as you're aware has a lot to do with energy and cues, and when we stopped, my energy and cue was that of we are done at the moment because the trainer was walking towards us. Like I said above, I turned the work switch off. It was then when she flexed back to check-in, and when she did I rubbed my hand down her neck, and she then straightened out. It was then when the trainer grabbed the skin on her neck and pinched her hard while talking to me. To put it kindly, that PISSED ME OFF! I was the rider, I was giving her the cue it was break time, she checked in with me, NOT him, and I was the one who petted her neck, then he pinched her neck a couple of seconds later! What he did was utterly unacceptable. And, if I was completely off base and out of line, he should have communicated that with me with a proper explanation, since it was a private lesson. Now we can get into who's responsible, but like I said, it wasn't his horse either, it was a client's that boards and rides at the facility. As well, this was not a Futurity or Derby Horse, just a horse owned by someone who hardly showed her, if at all, and if they did, it was on the local level. I hope my reply didn't come across confrontational, it's not at all my intent, but I just wanted to share a little more of the back story.

[@mk6945]

Gracy and her beautiful eyes. I love that even though she lets you know that she does not like to be touched in that area, she recovers quickly with you. Love that you can demonstrate the checking in. Horsey communication is lovely to watch.

[@StableHorseTraining]

thank you :)

[@PabBruceCherryor66]

I love the "release" you were giving to her, fingers in the side of her mouth worked a treat. She's my favourite Gracie, just love her moxie & sass.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you :)

[@azureequus8045]

This is a really good video I actually wondered what that 'checking in behavior"was I always thought the horse was looking for food or treats but maybe its just seeing if I'm still there or not or just as you said check in. One thing to I think a lot of riders may overlook with horses biting you when your riding them is saddle pain, horses may bite the rider if the saddle is not fitted right since they sometimes associate pain from the rider sitting on them, I actually don't think a lot riders know that a lot can go into fitting a saddle. Your saddle should fit you and your horse right just because a saddle fits one it may be uncomfortable for the other and can cause an unhappy biting horse and even long term health issues and chronic pain down the line as well in both the rider and horse.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you. Yes, possible saddle pain. I think a lot of people think about it as awareness has increased a lot through the availability of knowledge in the area. Lots of clinics and events and the manufacturers that attend or put them on. That information is increasinly being passed down through other people to those that don't or can't attend. I don't think I know a single person that doesn't have it on their mind around here. Maybe not kids...

[@marysquires7321]

Well done & thanks

[@pennywebb867]

I just love the relationship you have with your horses. It is so comforting. Interesting that she doesn't like being touched on her belly. But thanks for letting us see her expression. They can really yell without making a sound. TFS.❤

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you Penny. Yes, their yelling can be incredibly "loud"... I'll get it figured out and come back to this particular problem with her.

[@pennywebb867]

@@StableHorseTraining never a doubt in my mind.

[@joycefranco8852]

Baby Gracie....she’s so beautiful and honest...thank you for this

[@StableHorseTraining]

You're welcome :)

[@KathySierraVideo]

Thank-you for this. I would get off a horse immediately if it reached back to bite. My biggest fear is a horse that *wants* to do that, but is too fearful of being punished. The last thing I want is a tell a horse to shut up when he’s using the only voice he has to tell me something hurts.

[@StableHorseTraining]

There are tons of horses like that... You can see it in their eyes mostly.

[@lauraalbertson7821]

I agree too much anger about trying to control a Horse because of what we are thinking they are thinking 🐴💭💭We may not always know but gentleness and a soft voice goes a long way with our Horses . Thank you for great advice. And letting us experience your. Beautiful Property 🌲

[@StableHorseTraining]

that's a good point. Anger directed at a horse due to a misunderstanding and enough of a misunderstanding to think it's negative towards us. In turn, for those people it's anger to react with.

[@martineinfrance]

Fantastic 👏 how you know your horses, the bond you have with them, the trust they have in you. You are in their mind ! Gracie has always been sensitive to touch.. She would definitely not be happy with someone else, I think, after all she had been through.. To come back to the subject, we see so many horses showing signs of discomfort, often ignored by their riders, mostly by lack of knowledge..

[@StableHorseTraining]

Or desire for more knowledge. Ignorance is bliss.

[@martineinfrance]

@@StableHorseTraining 👍in many domains humans find comfort in ignorance. They could always say "I didn't know"

[@martineinfrance]

I think your answered a question that haunted me for a long time. Once I got bitten in the shoulder by a horse I was taking out of his stall with a rope, he was following me and grab my shoulder so fast. I only had a bruise. Now I think he didn't like to go to the arena again. He was fed up with all different riders doing the same exercizes round in circles all day long, with an intructor in the center shouting !

[@StableHorseTraining]

Teachers shouting in the middle... I've heard that recently from a kid that was here as she takes lessons from a teacher she is afraid of... why do parents tolerate such people in their kid's lives? Weird... As for the bite, it could be that for sure, either way the horse wasn't trying to be a friend and that feels sad to me.

[@martineinfrance]

@@StableHorseTraining I was not a kid but an adult when they shouted at me, almost in each club I went. They shouted to anybody who couldn't do what they asked them to do. That's why I got disgusted and put off because what should have been a pleasure became an anxious practice. That was the French mentality of riding schools with old methods !

[@StableHorseTraining]

It's not just French it seems...

[@martineinfrance]

@@StableHorseTraining Yes, a bit everywhere inherited from traditions I think but I really don't like it here. There is an increasing number of kids and young girls, more than it used to be because in the old days most riders were men using horses at war or to work. That also maybe the reason why they shout because some were retired from the army used to command people. But today even the young ones shout ! More and more young women are trainers too, but not any better in that respect. It is such a waste when horses can be handled in a gentle way, that includes treating the rider with respect too. Some really work under stress. No good, for both rider and horse.

[@StableHorseTraining]

What's really weird though is that if you stopped them for just a minute and asked them if they enjoy shouting at people and horses and being angry, they'd likely say no. If you ask them if they treat everybody in their life that way, they'd say no. If you asked how they'd get along in life if they treated people that they cared about like that, they'd likely answer that they'd be a lonely person pretty fast.... Give them money though and they seem to feel righteous in treating people and horses really badly. What a terrible way to live life.

[@junkieluv5326]

I have learned so much about horses from watching your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and understanding of horses and their behavior!!

[@StableHorseTraining]

You're very welcome 😊

[@Beachy1955]

Good morning! It would seem obvious that one should pay attention to cues a horse may be giving you but I never realized how much they are telling you. Thanks for sharing this message. God bless and MLFNY ❤️🇺🇸

[@StableHorseTraining]

Good morning!

[@naomisawyer1555]

Gracie is an amazing horse thanks to your patience and love. In my opinion you read horses so well. Always pay attention especially to the ears. They communicate all we have to do is pay attention. Thank you.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you very much Naomi 😊

[@starlenekalinski5633]

I really liked the way you explained that. I believe most of the injuries are caused by people not understanding the body language of the horse. They do show tension before they react.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you Starlene. You're going to like tomorrow's video then too!

[@SFD-Horses]

Great question and Excellent demonstration! Nice job!

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thanks!

[@tinachippas7075]

I've learned so much about horses and the handling of same. Wish I had one!

[@EdinburghMayhem]

I spent a day with an animal osteopath. He said that most 'bad' horses have a back problem and that the weight of a human plus all the saddlery, is an awful lot for their length of back to handle, especially when they are jumping etc. He gets flown all over the world to fix horses backs and necks.

[@StableHorseTraining]

I imagine there are a lot of horses with back pain for sure. Being an osteopath, the thoughts are towards riding and tack and saddles etc, but I think a lot about the feet and see horrid feet in the competition world. I don't know about you, but poor footwear causes issues all over my body (knees, hips, ankles, arches, back) and I expect horses are the same.

[@mogauthier1000]

That was very educational. I learned a lot. Thank you for sharing.

[@StableHorseTraining]

You're very welcome

[@bobbiemooser7417]

Very nice video. I applaud you for your beautiful treatment and understanding of your beautiful horses. New sub.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you very much! Welcome :)

[@lindy-loumaddock5979]

If Gracie is so sensitive in this area, I guess she's not being ridden much? How does she cope with being saddled? There's something magical about the way she moves. I love watching your slo mo of her in the arena. 😍

[@StableHorseTraining]

I'll do a video on that very question tomorrow :)

[@StableHorseTraining]

Sounds like I need to do a video on breed related to behaviors concept. I'm not saying you're wrong about your horse, but I can make any of my horses react poorly if I choose the right places and also lack training/education with certain actions or activities.

[@sidilicious11]

This has been a challenge for me, my gelding mean-bites at my leg and foot when I’m on him and he’s standing still. I’m trying to problem solve it. Thanks for addressing it.

[@StableHorseTraining]

If this video was of any help to your particular problem, that's wonderful. Every horse is a bit different but the concept is the same, if a horse is trying to bite, they don't want you doing whatever it is that you're doing. The reason I know that is that they don't bite me when I'm doing what they will accept or want. Essentially making the opposite true I believe, then it's up to us to figure things out for them and in turn for our own safety and well being.

[@lilianmcguigan9240]

Great demo and explanation.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you!

[@jmgill7074]

Loved this video

[@bethmccormack5172]

This is so awesome. I"m new to the channel but just love all the helpful info. I now dub you the "horsey zen-master." :)

[@StableHorseTraining]

Awesome! Thank you! and welcome to the channel and all the antics and shenanigans we get up to :)

[@bethmccormack5172]

@@StableHorseTraining I am enjoying all of them for sure! I went back the last 2 years worth of videos and starting basically when Mr Wildie came into the picture. His transformation from when he first got there to now is nothing short of phenomenal.

[@naomisawyer1555]

Have you heard anything about Roo? Ya know horses form up a family of the horses you have there. They can miss them just like we miss them or our human being friends. Can you do a playdate with any of the horses that were there with them. Would be interesting to see that interaction.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Last I heard he was doing well. No, playdates don't happen unless it's a trail ride somewhere

[@deniseheon8842]

I love Gracey and her sassy ness ❤️🐎❤️🐴

[@MsBizzyGurl]

Some of the issues around riding relate to poor saddles, past trauma and overweight riders. Can't blame a horse for wanting to stop the torture.

[@caitlinw8351]

Will a horse ever bite for any reason other than discomfort? Thinking about all the times I was told to hit a horse for biting when they were probably just in pain :( I was taught to hurt horses for bad behavior since I started riding at age 8.. this was across many different barns in the northeast US. I see it still being taught at lesson barns I visit today. Should a horse ever be punished for biting? I think trainers are often just looking for a "quick fix" to biting behavior and not addressing the root of it. I could never hit a horse for anything. Kids should be taught to try and understand behavior first.

[@StableHorseTraining]

It will be some kind of discomfort. Either physical or mental discomfort. Horses don't bite if they want you to do whatever you are doing. They do it because they want you to stop doing what you're doing. No, it's not taught because the teachers weren't taught that and have zero interest in learning it. If they had to come to terms with how much beating they have done in their life with horses they'd have a hard time. Easier to ignore and continue the legacy than make a change and admit to what they're doing. The sad thing for people like that is they are slowly being phased out of the horse industry as a more educated group of people come into the mix and call them out. Social media is changing the abusive horse world quite quickly and hopefully we'll see lots less of that as the norm and instead it will be the exception.

[@kidstuff44555]

Horses will bite each other to assert dominance, and will also bite humans out of fear most commonly, or more rarely aggression where they have learned biting gets humans out of their space. Because they are so much stronger, it's pointless to retaliate with aggression to an aggressive or fearful horse, they will resent you and go harder next time, and trust me you can't win a physical fight with a horse! Safer to use non-violent methods to assert leadership and gain trust. Resentful horses are dangerous horses

[@sarahthomson8183]

@@StableHorseTraining i'm so glad things are changing for the better.

[@kkdoc7864]

My sister at the age of 12 was on one of our horses (a blanket Appaloosa), and he decided to roll. She didn’t get her leg out if the stirrup fast enough and so her lower leg was broken above the ankle. Is that a major problem and how do you prevent that from happening?

[@StableHorseTraining]

wow... that's terrible. It's not too uncommon for a horse to consider rolling while being ridden. It's odd for sure but can be caught if a rider recognizes it. I teach every single one of my students to recognize when a horse is going to roll. None of my students ride until they are proficient enough to read horse behaviors at the basic level, and that's one of the things we practice watching as they let them go in the arena and I ask them to stay to watch what happens and recognize when a horse is about to roll. Then they get all excited a horse is rolling... and the lesson ends. Fun times. Anyways, the idea is to be able to recognize it to stop it (make the horse move a bit), or jump off (not preferable of an approach as your saddle gets squished...)

[@kkdoc7864]

@@StableHorseTraining I anticipated your answer, and it makes perfect sense. We were all novices. Even my dad. I’m the oldest of 8 kids, and all of us loved horses, except the 2 youngest who don’t remember much lol. I am forever grateful to my dad, though, who gave me such a beautiful gift. I even got my own “part” Arabian colt to raise. He was the guy who would run up to me when I came up with a bucket of grain and stopped in the nick of time. I was woefully ignorant of the danger because I didn’t move. Wasn’t afraid for some reason. I sure would like to start all over again knowing what I know now. Thanks for all the teachings!!!

[@AL-lz1hb]

Wow that's a touchy spot. Any idea why? Always wary of ears! Good demo though! Ears back, ping! Perfect!! Gracie needs a nice treat for playing her role. Most impressed. Can she do the really scary one? Ears pinned, head down, teeth barred? Hopefully not.

[@StableHorseTraining]

I would be guessing if I said anything of why she does that. I do know with acclimation she's fine so I'm guessing it's just a lack of training as I've somewhat left her alone for a bit. Honestly I think it tickles but to a horse a tickle feeling isn't a good thing at all. Hard to say. It won't be there for long and I'll follow up with it soon.

[@StableHorseTraining]

And yes, she can make a pretty scary face. They all can...

[@AL-lz1hb]

@@StableHorseTraining Mm probly we shouldn't be provoking that one hey? I thought Roni played his part well too BTW. More relaxed, understated approach. Not such a drama queen. I was thinking, will there be a best bits video for each of our friends one day? Those Gracie ear pins were magic. Or Bloopers? Whatever you do with the Horses, I love it. So relaxing, gentle and cheery.

[@laurenw1168]

I'm wondering, for the sake of property setup, what size are your paddocks and shelters?

[@StableHorseTraining]

super common question :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3Pafoadf96CoNU

[@laurenw1168]

@@StableHorseTraining Thank you!

[@sarahthomson8183]

Something must have happened to her. Or maybe she's in pain? Is the spot tender, or is she just guarding her flank because something happened to her in the past in that area..

[@StableHorseTraining]

this is the follow up video and will give you all the answers you're looking for: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5XWoKqYqpt0rbM