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Post by Ziggy on Jan 15, 2013 11:44:40 GMT
Have been trying to do some lead rein training with or little pony. He is fine at walk , goes beautifully on lovely long rein and is amazing to voice commands. In trot however.... He puts his ears back and tries to nip me! He is not malicious at all not even being cheeky, not sure why he does it. HW can I get him going forward nicely at a level, steady pace without trying to bite me!
Any chance of constructive advice?
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Post by catkin on Jan 18, 2013 17:46:05 GMT
I have had a few like this. Trouble is is you reprimand them, they get headshy and thats the last thing you need in a lead rein. Try using a chain instead of a lead rein. Its less attractive to bite! Lunging should help too. Also, try to get the rider to help you correct this. Good luck. p.s. keep well away from the pony. ie. have a long lead
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Post by bow1607 on Jan 19, 2013 1:20:23 GMT
is this with tack on/rider on or all the time?
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Jan 19, 2013 9:47:37 GMT
Maybe the technique I use when teaching babies to lead politely would be adaptable to a LR - used at home first of course! I use the end of a key - if you have long fingernails they would be ideal but I don't - and hold it out horizontally in his direction so if he runs his shoulder into me he pokes himself in the shoulder with it. You need to show no sign it's anything to do with you, or as catkin says he could become headshy, he must think he did it to himself, and it would need to be in the muzzle for a nippy LR. I've seen Richard Maxwell suggest this for a biting stallion to a friend of mine.
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Post by ilovenatives on Jan 19, 2013 9:58:16 GMT
Make sure all his tack and everything fits well and is not causing him discomfort and also have you had his teeth done .
Our lead rein used to do this but was much better once his teeth were done . He also used to walk to close so i used to hold a show cane so he would get a poke from it if he came to close , same principle as Sarahp with the key really .
If you find jockey is hanging onto his mouth when you start trotting perhaps use a balancing strap on the saddle as well to see if this helps .
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Post by loulou25 on Jan 21, 2013 9:56:40 GMT
I have a D colt the same, he'll walk out fine but gets super excited in a trot out and will bite!
I was advised the back end of last year to carry a Jiff lemon in the hand closest to his head and when he goes for the kill give it a squeeze! I used it twice, never needed it again!
Hope you get sorted x
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Post by bigmama on Jan 21, 2013 11:05:06 GMT
I have a D colt the same, he'll walk out fine but gets super excited in a trot out and will bite! I was advised the back end of last year to carry a Jiff lemon in the hand closest to his head and when he goes for the kill give it a squeeze! I used it twice, never needed it again! Hope you get sorted x wot a good idea ... horse/ponies hate a quick squirt in the face with water (which iwould suggest rather than lemon which would sting if it went in their eyes) .. there is a contraption on the market which, when horse kicks stable door or lunges over it, will issue a fast, sharp squirt of water in the face and apparently it is very successful |
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Post by loulou25 on Jan 21, 2013 20:46:12 GMT
Oh no i squirt it in his mouth! One taste of that and he suddenly thought i didnt taste that nice afterall!
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Post by Ziggy on Jan 22, 2013 13:21:31 GMT
I have a D colt the same, he'll walk out fine but gets super excited in a trot out and will bite! I was advised the back end of last year to carry a Jiff lemon in the hand closest to his head and when he goes for the kill give it a squeeze! I used it twice, never needed it again! Hope you get sorted x Good idea I might try that. Does your colt now trot out nicely with ears forward. Our Lr looks such a grumpy moo in trot with ears back! Not teeth just had them done. |
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Post by ilovenatives on Jan 22, 2013 15:31:06 GMT
If his teeth were a bit sharp before he could still be remembering the pain/discomfort even though they have just been done . Have you had the saddle checked ? What bit are you using ? Do you do plenty of practice without jockey on ?
I wouldnt squirt him with anything if it were me as you could cause him to throw his head up when striking off in trot or cause him to be head shy .
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Post by ilovenatives on Jan 22, 2013 15:34:47 GMT
Forgot to add that he may not look so grumpy at a show as it is interesting were as doing work at home he would likely find boring so try not to worry about him having his ears back for now if you have checked everything to make sure he is not in any pain .
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Post by rosefinch on Jan 22, 2013 21:26:37 GMT
We use a cane as you do in the ring but point it at the pony to keep them out (like you do when lunging) and obviously if the try to nip you would push them away with the cane- not hit or smack or wave just hold the cane up and they soon get the idea. I do this also when teaching them to turn - I hold the cane up and they get the idea to turn. Also use voice commands to. Would just try and work through it and ignore if possible sounds like attention seeking to me lol!!!!!
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Post by loulou25 on Jan 24, 2013 16:46:35 GMT
Hmm it's a tough on Nursey he doesn't really have his ears back unless he's going in for the kill! But he has improved a great deal, he's possibly needing a reminder soon but I've had a good few months problem free!
It's just a shock tactic and it put him right off x
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Post by titch on Jan 24, 2013 22:18:32 GMT
Practice at home running up with a grazing muzzle on no nipping then!! Obviously no jockey on .
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Post by brindlerainbow on Jan 24, 2013 22:41:38 GMT
If the pony isn't being malicious or cheeky then it could be that he is in pain
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Post by jeanslater on Jan 25, 2013 0:33:55 GMT
I used to adapt my lead rein (using a cane and taping the LR round it - from the connector/buckle) so that the pony couldnt get close enough to me to bite or lean just about all the time, until it went in the ring of course.
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Post by CarolineNelson on Jan 25, 2013 13:55:18 GMT
Regularly lead the pony off either side (not just in 'training' but to and from the paddock etc). And use a side rein on the 'outside' so that he learns that he cannot turn in to you. This without the child on board, of course. Even a cord like a dog lead can suffice but the work needs to be regular to reinforce that he cannot behave like this.
Little side-reins with an easy release in case of a problem are helpful when the child is on board.
Personally I don't advocate a small child 'helping' to get the pony out of the habit - gives entirely the wrong message to child and pony. You need trust and a safe conveyance. Try not to make a feature out of the turning and nipping, just keep on running and he'll soon realise that he too, needs to focus on trotting in order to stay upright!
I presume in this weather you are doing your work along lanes etc which will give him something to look at and not be bored.
Sarahp's 'key' (again, used wisely when the child is on board) is helpful, as is the 'stick bound to the lead-rein' concept.
Again, if the habit is broken minus the child it makes for a happier three-way partnership when the jockey is on top.
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Post by Ziggy on Jan 26, 2013 12:49:06 GMT
If the pony isn't being malicious or cheeky then it could be that he is in pain NO he is NOT in any pain. Does it in just a headcollar too. |
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