How do I get my horse to stop putting her ears back at me?

Question

my new horse keeps putting her ears back and trying to bite me, i dont think i have done anything unless she is just mad about moving, but its been awhile. is this a trust issue or what?

She has not been abused, she was used as a lesson horse, we have known the previous owners for a long time. i have had her since January

Answer 1

Learn about your horses history. She may have been abused. Dont rush her. She may simply be afraid of being hurt. Talk to her softly. Gently touch her. Blow in her nose. A mother horse, will gently blow into her babies noses, so they get her scent, learn who she is and trust her. Sing softly, while you gently stroke her. Horses are sensitive animals. Give your horse time to know she is not in danger, and that she can trust you. Then you can start to work with her. The pinned ears are usually a sign of fear. Let her know, she does not need to fear you.

Answer 2

You will have to wait this one out. The move, new environment and new owner are all stressful. Some of the other answers about calm, non-threatening time with the horse can all help with trust. Sometimes, it is a personality trait and my not go away. Give the animal some time and just love him/her.

Answer 3

As a couple others have said, do you know her background? If she was perfectly fine with her prior owner, it might just be that she doesn't count you as "lead mare". When horses get to know each other, they figure out a chain of hierarchy, in other words, who's boss, and who's the lowest in the group. It might be that she's telling you "I'm boss!" and letting her get away with that is dangerous, because it means that you aren't in charge, and she outweighs you by a few hundred pounds.

Try working with her in a round pen. Look her in the eye, and send her away from you. Make her run, not full-out, but a trot or canter is good. Keep looking at her right in the eye until she gives you a few signals. These signals are her keeping her ear on you, lowering her head to the ground, and licking at the air/chewing the air. When she does those things, she's saying "Ok, I'm paying attention to you, hey I'm getting tired of running around, and can't you let me stop so we can eat together?" Once she does that, look away from her, in fact, turn away by about 3/4. If she pins her ears back at that point, make her run again until she gives you those signals again, and then look/turn away. If she walks up to you, congratulations! She's accepted you as the boss!

This whole procedure is called "Join up" and was figured out by Monty Roberts, a well known horse trainer for all breeds of horse. If you want to see it in action, look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEJT9vwqwvY and part two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dldiyjjZsSk
I don't advise the treats, unless you're dumping them into her food trough since horses, unlike carnivores, don't have to hunt for their food, so they don't really associate it as a "reward".
Hope that helps.

Answer 4

She could just be grouchy! It is just starting to happen? Did you see it before you bought her? Is it only when you do a particular act? Does the saddle pinch? The bit/bridle causing discomfort? The list goes on and on.

Keep an eye out to figure out what exactly causes the behavior, and then do a little research on how to fix it. Not every approach is the one for you and your horse, so when you find a training method to correct the behavior be sure and follow it through. Also, be careful not to turn it into a game!

Do not give her treats for anything resembling the behavior either, you'll just make it 20 times worse.

Answer 5

My parents have had a horse for years who still does this. He actually grinds his teeth at people regardless of who they are and how long he has known them. Hard habit to break. Good horse none the less but just cranky when people walk by his stall. If he ever contacted people (even bumped them with his muzzle) he usually acted like he was sorry (he'd back up and have quite a worried look on his face). I'd only worry if she's really trying to get a grip on people.

Answer 6

I have a mare who does the same thing. She is usually fine during the summer when there is grass, but during the winter she is horrible. I think she gets bored and cold and hungry (she gets hay in the morn, noon, and night). There is another horse in the pasture with her. However, in the barn if I am grooming her, she is sweet and nice and a good girl.

There is also a mare at the place I am interning that does the same thing, she is nasty in the winter, and fine the rest of the year.

Give her time. Give her attention, pet and groom her, talk to her. I know a lot of horses like to be curried in certain spots, especially under their mane and by their withers. Give her treats. If you are afraid of her biting, put them in her food dish. I hand feed both my horses and they are fine, they don't bite.

Good luck! Remember mares get "PMS" (pesty mare syndrome as we call it at my house!) and can get kinda nasty during this time, much like a human.

Answer 7

She has a nasty habit she has gotten away with and it needs to be stopped!!Horses have unbelieveable power in a bite!! I have 3 stallions and they have never been tolerated to put their mouth on me or anyone else! Ask around for some local trainers and get their advice before she really hurts you!! No treats--it will only be rewarding her for a nasty habit!! Pinned ears are a sign of aggression!

Answer 8

it sounds like a trust issue to me. just talk in a low calm voice towards her. and move slow. how old is the horse? if it is a middleaged horse it may have been abused. Also it might just take a little time to get used to a new owner.

Answer 9

It more than likely is a trust issue. If you have only had her for a short time you have to gain her trust. Start by just patting her and spending time with her. Might be her food. Give her treats like apples. My horse loves apples. When i got him he hated me anywhere near him when he ate and tried to bite and kick but now i can clean his feet while he eats. I just had to gain his trust..
Hope i helped

Answer 10

Generally, new horses have issues with new people. You can help this by giving her treats (healthy treats, preferrably- carrots, apples, etc) and letting her sniff you. You could also see where you get by just petting her for a while- don't try to ride her. Just petting her, grooming her, speaking calmly around her, and giving her gifts will help improve your standing with her. Hope this helps!