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Nipping Yearling Colt
I have a yearling colt, who has developed the annoying habit of trying to nip when head stalling to take off night rugs and doing any thing that has to do with his head. Do you have any suggestions as to how I can stop this. I try and keep my eye on his and just ignore him. I intend to geld him in about 3 months after he has finished showing at halter.
Sincerely,
Frances
Hi Francis,
Thank you for your question. What I have done in similar situations is to send the horse to work if they get nippy. If you have a round pen, I would send him around you in both directions if he looks to nip at all. If no round pen and he will lunge around you, put the halter on him be ready to send him around you if he looks like he is going to nip. You are making what you don't want hard and work for him and what you do want, standing there quietly while you do whatever you need to do with him easy and no effort. It's not a good idea to start popping him in the snout unless he really grabs you with his teeth. Then a well placed, well timed pop right where the lip is over the teeth in the front may be warranted. Putting him to work for behavior you don't want is the best. It takes a bit to be really set up for it before you begin the 'training' session. It will be worth it in the long run.
I hope I have been able to help. Thanks again for your question.
Aloha, Franklin