How can I stop my miniature horse from biting & attempting to kick?

Question

I recently purchased a miniature mare. She's the cutest mini I've seen while shopping around for them.N ow that I have her home, she's fine until I lead her a bit, then stop. Then she stands still, but she tries to constantly bite my legs and whenever I'm beside a fence she squeezes me against it and acts like she wants to kick. I'm just wondering if anyone else has this problem, or maybe is it just because the lady who had her before me never had time to work with her? Is there anyone that can give me advice on how to break these habits?

Answer 1

The biggest problem I've encountered with mini's is that people ave a tendency to treat them like DOGS, not horses. Even though they're tiny make sure you treat her like a horse! She can learn to be patient, wait her turn, walk nicely, and certaintly NOT BITE! Shes spoiled! Stop with treats. You need her to respect you and learn that you're the boss, you pay the bills! Don't be afraid to give a good yank on that lead line to correct her biting or to give her a swat on the neck. Just make sure you don't give in to her nasty behavior, it will only get worse. Personally I don't necessarily buy into all that "Horse Whisperer" stuff...I believe that some people just understand horses better than others, like therapists study the human mind "horse whisperers" study the equine mind more in depth than most of us. I have seen the Parelli techniques work well on troubled horses though. I had a mare that had some serious seperation anxiety issues and after 1 hr with a trainer I could see a definate improvement. It will take a while, but so long as you refuse to let her boss you around then she should come around. AND you have to take into consideration that she is a MARE...I don't own mares for a reason....they're MARES!! LOL Good Luck!

Answer 2

hehe, she's training you nicely. seriously, she's showing you who's boss because you have 'sucker' stamped on your forehead. trust me, it's not because you're stupid, not at all, it's because you don't understand horses.

look into parelli natural horsemanship. i PROMISE this will help you. go to www.parelli.com to learn some more. the equiptment is pretty costly, but you only have to buy it one time, and it's worth every single penny.

they're not 'habits', she's a horse. all horses are capable of this behavior, and all horses WILL act like this if they are left alone long enough or have a snotty enough personality. your pony is NOT abnormal or bad, she's simply being a horse. you need to learn to act like a horse so you can give her some of her own medicine. she's begging for it. in her mind since you aren't being a leader, it's her job. learn to be a good enough leader for your horse.

Oh! DO NOT under-estimate the miniature horse! they are just as dangerous as big horses!!!

good luck!

Answer 3

I have a little mini mare and and believe me, if she wants to kick, she'll kick. When she has pinned you up against the fence, look at her ears. If she is holding them down tightly, she's irritated, if she has them in any other position, she is probably trying to get your attention. She maybe wanting to play with you. They lo-ov-v-e attention! If she is nipping at your legs, it is probably because she is trying to play with you or she may be trying to tell you she is hungryYou also have to remember that horses are grazing animals. A horse's mouth is also their hands. When my mare nibbles, I play with her. I pretend that I am running away from her (maybe move a couple of feet away) and I allow her to catch up. Sometimes I chase her and sometimes she chases me. Sometimes she thinks she is a dog and she jumps up on me. If she bites or kicks me because she is angry with me, she gets in trouble. She gets scolded and she hates that! My mare is also house broke and so she spends a lot of time with mein the house. If I am doing something, she wants to be right by my side to see what is going on. If I am working outside, she is not far away.

I try and feed my mini four small meals of dry grass hay a day. Morning, lunch dinner, and around bedtime. It helps their digestive tract to function properly and cuts down on the risk of ulcers. Do not forget, horses live typically from 30 to 50 years and so you have a long term care ahead of you.

House breaking a mini horse is a lot like house breaking a dog. They both are treated about the same.

I try and walk her at least a mile every night. I put a leash on her and take her through the neighbourhood or the park so she can get her exercise. Even though she is a mini horse, I try and follow the same rules that have been laid out for the dogs.

If I can be of any more assistance to you, please feel free to write. [e-mail]

Answer 4

sounds like the two of you just need to spend as much time together and get used to each other. most mini horse's I've seen are good natured. sounds like your horse it just scared and not used to the new enviorment yet. the biting and kicking is just fear, and a form of defense. just be kind,and give it love,and it will see it has nothing to fear. carrots and apples go a long way with horse's too. talk to it,and groom it as often as you can. i bet all will be fine soon then. i have seen mini's follow their owners around and live in the House like puppy's. good luck.

Answer 5

Just keep doing these things in a routine and use a stern voice if she tries something nasty. Don't use physical violence as this could wind her up even more.
When she does not do these things praise her alot like she's won the Grand National!
She might not trust you just yet.

Answer 6

Do You have RFD-TV... Check their horse training shows...in fact you may be able to contact them via Internet... Also check Marty Robins--the horse whisperer on line. If that doesn't work for you..whack'm.

Answer 7

put a muzzle on her and tie her legs together with rope

Answer 8

A Bit (do not yell at them)