pony training?

Question

how do I train a pony not to bite. he is a year old. and is very spunky.

Answer 1

First off, don't hand feed your pony or horse. This encourages biting. Yes, that means, no sugar cubes, apple slices, whatever. Put it in his grain bucket, but no hands.

Slapping a horse or pony on the nose/face will create problems, most call it being 'head shy'. Better to snap the lead(firm jerk down, putting pressure on nose). Saying "no" at the same time. The snap is not associated with you...so you won't be creating a fear situation. Ponies are noted for having 'personality' issues, but with patience and proper handling, I'm sure you'll do fine. He's just a yearling, so you are catching this in time to nip it in the bud.

Answer 2

Slapping your pony will make him head shy, but a little poke with your finger on his muzzle with a "no" will not. All you want to do is get the point across, you don't need tacks, but if a gentle poke isn't enough, then a little pinch of skin on the neck is an appropriate step up.

Keep the pony entertained and realize that the entire time you are handling him, you are training him as well. If you are late with the negative feedback (reprecussion for behavior must be immediate to be effective) forget about it and be better prepared next time.

For a yearling to be "spunky" is not uncommon. It's about the time I start to use a stud chain on them. If you thread the chain through the center ring of the halter towards you (with you standing on the left side) then through the D ring on the left, wrap over the nose band and attach to the D ring on the right, you will have more control with less bite (the chain should actually rest on the noseband). The magic of this is that when he does something bad, the flick of your wrist will create a SOUND that is just enought to say,"no".

Jerking on the lead rope will eventually inspire him to jerk his head up when he feels a tug down (future problem with child's handling).

You don't want to rule out giving him treats all together, but tone it way down, and make sure he's nice when he takes them. Remember that horse's need LOTS of positive reinforcement as well, so when he's being good, talk sweet, pet him, and praise him.

Answer 3

He might outgrow the problem - when my horse was young, he would bite everything and everyone he saw, and he outgrew it. However, your pony might not - so make sure to not hand feed him (this will make him think that there is always food around) and say "No" or "Bad boy!" in a very stern tone if he does bite. I don't agree with smacking in the face - this will make the pony not want people to touch his face later in life, which would be a problem. If he reaches out to bite, but doesn't (because you disciplined him), then make sure to praise him. You don't necessarily have to give him a treat (like you would give a dog), because horses are not hunters, and they don't respect food in the same way that dogs do. Instead, give him a nice pat on the side and lots of praise. Hope all works out fine!

Answer 4

This is a question I have been trying to figure out for years!! I have been told to slap his nose (which just made my pony head shy!! Then I had to fix another problem!!) I have also been told that you should speak kindly to him all the time unless he does something wrong then you yell at him (which didn't faze my horse at all). Another thing I have heard was to slap their neck when they did something naughty (my pony just moved out of the way), I have never tried this one myself and never will because it sounds mean to me but I'll tell you what I have heard. Take a piece of leather and put thumb tacks in it, then put the side that doesn't have the sharp edges on you wherever he bites you the most. And when he goes to bite you, he'll get a nose full of pokes and won't do it again. And he won't get head shy because you are not hitting him. Like I said I would never try this , not on my babies!! But I don't think you will ever be able to completly train a pony of biting, because ponies are like that. But I wish you luck!!

Answer 5

Make a fist and stick it in front of the pony's mouth. If he goes to bite you hit him in the nose hard enough to get the point through to him and tell him No. Repeat this according to how well he is doing until he doesn't do it anymore. It may take a couple of days or even weeks, just be patient. When he does a good job reward him for it. Biting is a very serious problem that can result into even bigger problems. Good luck!

Answer 6

We have a pony that bites on occasion. He was really bad about it when we got him. We tried the old put out your elbow trick so he bumps that when he reaches to bite but that is pretty hard to do every time. We usually give him a soft thump on the side of the neck and tell him no. But I think what has really done the trick is teaching him that he follows us. You have to teaching him where he is in the pecking order. We also removed him from the horses for a time because we think he was in constant play mode with them. He must have thought that he had to prove something. Constant handling and training has helped tremendously.

Answer 7

Bite him back! Realy, this works. But the real way to do it is be prepared. when he goes to bite, smack him hard on the lips. Don't beat him around te ears or he will get head shy. Also, have something pointy in your hand that he can "run into" when he bites - that will make him think it's not you, but his actions that cause the pain.

With a young horse, never allow him to get the upper hand. Always make sure you let him now you rule - he listens. Or if you don't, he will become dangerous. Now is the time for discipline!

Answer 8

all these people have obviously never OWNED a horse. like for a long time.
you need to be gentle but firm with him. when he reaches to bite you, swish your arm at his eye like theres a bug there. if he dosent respond to that, let him almost bite you then push up on his lips quick. the motion alone will make him think "what?? huh?? whats going on?" and he will forget about biting you. it will not make him headshy if he is being punished for bad behavior, and in moderation. yeah, if you smack him everytime he moves toward you, he will be shy. but, if you just do it at exactly the right time he will learn only that he is not supposed to bite you. not that he cant trust you.
he just will come to understand you are the boss.

or you can go up to her and than put your hand on her muzzle. Chances are she'll try to take it away from you or toss up her head or try and bite your hand. The key is to leave your hand over her muzzle (make sure that your hand is right over and covering her mouth) until she stops doing anything. As soon as she stands still for even a milasecond take your hand away. Keep doing this over and over and over. Soon she will come to relize that in order for her to make you move your hand all she has to do is stand still.
Than every time she bites or gets annoying put your hand over her muzzle and than when she stops tossing her head around or biting, take your hand away.
Once again, by you taking your hand away when nshe stands still she learns that when she stands still you'll move the hand.

Answer 9

Give him treats when he isn't biting. Then when he does bite, ignore it. He will learn that nothing happens when he bites and so why bite? He will also learn that when he isn't biting, he gets treats, gets scratched and petted, things he enjoys. It all boils down to reinforcing the behavior you want and ignoring those you don't.

Answer 10

at that age most ponys/horses have nipping problems. i always solved mine by giving them a smack on the nose and saying "no!". they will eventually learn or out-grow it.