Nipping

Veterinary, horse care, and training issues.

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Bondama
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Nipping

Postby Bondama » Fri May 12, 2006 1:34 pm

One of my mares got a kid last weekend, my kid, not someone else's! She's a nipper at the cinch, and Jayne was standing too close and the mare turned and nipped her in the stomach, about 2 inches over her navel, hard enough to break skin through her shirt. It looks kind of like a scrape with a small scab in the center. It isn't bad fortunately, but was probably more scary than anything, to a 10-year old.

Any rate....how would one attempt to "correct" the nipping at the cinch issue? Cross ties? A good slap when she tries? She's normally a very good mare, very sweet, docile, stands quietly, all that. But just every now and then, when tacking up and cinching that girth, she'll turn and nip.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, as always.

Blessings,
Justice: When you get what you deserve.
Mercy: When you don't get what you deserve.
Grace: When you get what you don't deserve.

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WarHorse
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Postby WarHorse » Sun May 14, 2006 6:35 pm

Give her a tap on the cannon when she does this. Be very consistent, and do not stop whatever you are doing that "caused" the nipping.

Being "hit" on the cannon is a defeat for the horse, and if you continue what you were doing at the same time, they will soon realize that they cannot stop you.

She is trying to train the human to do her bidding, ie, not cinch her.

Your Mileage May Vary.
And thou fly without wings, and conquer without any sword. Oh, horse. - The Qur'an