Apart from being annoying, a horse that bites can be potentially dangerous. Why is my horse biting is a question that most horse owners ask at some point. It may be a new behaviour, or a trait that a new horse has. Either way, finding the root cause and stopping this behaviour is what this article is about.
A horse can bite for many reasons. Pain, fear, or dominance are the main factors. Understanding your horse’s motivation will help you to stop this unwanted behaviour before it becomes dangerous. Watching for signs that precede biting can help you remove the trigger and diffuse the situation.
No-one wants to be around horses that bite. Read on to find out the most common reasons and way to stop this behaviour. This will make both you and your horse a happier partnership.
Why is my horse biting me?
As a responsible horse owner it is our job to work out why our horse is biting and remove any triggers and underlying causes.
The most common reasons for your horse biting are below:
- Greed: Your horse can come to see you as simply a food and tasty treat provider and start biting in anticipation of food
- Pain: Take a moment to think about when your horse bites. Is it when you touch a particular part of his body? When you try to saddle? When you pick out his feet? If this is the case then biting may be a pain response.
- Stomach: If biting happens when you touch his stomach then your horse may be suffering from ulcers.
- Back/head: If your horse goes to bite when you try to tack up, or use a head collar they may find the pressure uncomfortable
- Feet: Biting when picking up feet could be a problem with the feet, but bear in mind that it could also be pain higher up.
- Memory: You may have had all the checks done and solved any problems that were found, but find that the biting continues. This could be because your horse now anticipates being in pain and biting has now become habitual behaviour.
- Dominance: Just as in a herd, a horse can try to display dominance over his owner by biting to make the owner do/or not do what the horse wants. Biting will often just be one unwanted behaviour if dominance is the reason behind the action. Barging and kicking may also be shown.
- Fear: Your horse may simply be scared or unsure of what you are asking. Biting is a way of keeping a distance and not having to go near something that is causing anxiety
- Love: It may sound daft. No-one like to be bitten. However, your horse may not be biting out of fear or anger, but actually as a grooming act to show how much he cares for you
Regardless of the reason that your horse bites, it is behaviour to be stopped. Keep reading to find out how.
How to stop my horse from biting
The approach that you take will in the main be determined by the reason for the biting in the first place. It’s not always a case of punishment, indeed, punishment is rarely required or advisable.
- Greed: If your horse is starting to bite to get treats or food you don’t need to stop the meals, just the way in which you provide them. Stop giving treats by hand, always put them in a bucket/floor. When you give your horse a meal ask them to back up and wait before eating. It won’t take long for your horse to understand, and being able to back up your horse by voice command will be helpful in a whole range of others situations
- Pain:
- Stomach: Asking your vet to carry out scoping, and advise on supplements could help
- Back/head: Check that there are no grazes or cuts and that your tack fits correctly and is in good, clean condition. A qualified saddler can advise if alterations need to be made. Remember that your horse can change shape throughout the year because of changes in diet and exercise. It could just be that you’re being a little overenthusiastic with your grooming. Try being more gentle, especially if the thinner summer coat is through Try being more gentle, especially if the thinner summer coat is through
- Feet: Thoroughly clean out each foot and check for damage or infection. Your farrier or vet will be happy to advise if you do find a problem
- Memory: For example, if the biting is when you lift feet: quietly raise each foot several times every time you are at the yard, whether you intend to pick out or not, giving praise for good behaviour, your horse will gradually realise that it no longer hurts and the biting will cease
- Dominance: Groundwork and consistency of approach are the watchwords here. You can also use a distraction technique like the one preferred by Monty Roberts that suggests tapping your horse on the leg every time they go to bite. This must be done quickly and without you looking down at your foot – the idea is that the horse associates going to bite with a sharp tap on his leg that is nothing to do with your actions.
- Fear: Being a confident handler (or pretending to be!) and doing lots of groundwork, including long-lining, and introducing ‘scary’ items to your horse will gradually desensitize them. Spending time with your horse will strengthen your bond and help your horse trust you. A horse that has trust in his handler will be less likely to react badly through fear
- Love: We all want our horse to love us, but that doesn’t mean that we want to be groomed as they would another horse. This is one of those times where groundwork to remind your horse about personal space is important before loving nibbles result in a lack of body parts..
Why is my horse biting all of a sudden?
New owners and handlers often ask why does my horse bite me, or why do horses bite people. The reasons will be specific to each horse and handler/owner situation. If your normally placid horse that falls asleep during grooming suddenly starts to bite, then it’s very likely to be a pain reaction. If your horse has had a change in diet, even if it’s only that the new spring grass is through, he may have developed ulcers owing to the change. This is why it is always advised to make any diet changes very very slowly so that your horse’s stomach has a chance to accept the change.
- Speak to your vet and decide if adding gastric supplements or scoping is the way forward
- Check your tack to ensure it fits correctly
- Consider having a professional out to check that there is no tightness in the back or other muscles
If a new horse has been introduced recently your horse may be trying to reassess his place in the herd. This natural behaviour may spill over to try challenging the owner or people in general. Increasing groundwork and reinforcing basic manners will make the whole yard a happier place.
Why do horses bite each other?
Horses biting each other is completely normal behaviour, and is used to establish dominance within a herd. However, some horses can take this too far and may need to be separated for the safety of others.
It is natural for older, higher ranking horses to nip at youngsters to teach manners within the herd. Horses that are not exposed to herd life (for example those who have to be bottle fed by humans) from a young age may find it more difficult to integrate later, and may be more tricky to teach personal space to later on.
Why does my horse bite at his sides?
If your horse is biting at his sides it’s possible that he’s experiencing discomfort. This could be as simply as flying insects irritating him, and more serious internal problems. If flies are the problem, then using fly sprays or fly rugs may make him more comfortable. Bringing in to a stable during at dawn and dusk can also help as this is when the midges are more active.
If you have ruled out flies and midges, then requesting your vet is the best option for the health and happiness of your horse.
Signs your horse is about to bite
If you can read your horse’s body language then you have a greater chance to avoid getting bitten. You will also be able to distract the horse to focus on something else so no biting occurs in the first place.
Ears flat back, stamping, and a swishing tail are all signs of irritation and should not be ignored. It is very unlikely that your horse will bite for no reason, so always be aware of the warning signs.
Conclusion
Horses bite for lots of reasons, but mainly in response to pain or fear. A purely aggressive horse is far less usual. Working out your horse’s reason for biting is the first step to overcoming the bad behaviour. Looking out for tell-tale signs before a bite takes place can keep you safe, and mean that you can distract the horse before any biting takes place.
Related question
Recommended horse bite treatment is to wash out the affected area with soap and water and cover to keep clean. A tetanus shot as a precautionary measure can be booked at your local medical centre.
