Random Biting

Question
My horse is a 6 year-old paint gelding. He lives in a pasture with a pony, 3 sheep, and 2 goats. My horse randomley bites people. Just recentley he whipped around at me when I was petting him and bit me on the hip. He has bit a trainer and she never came back. He constantly pins his ears too. He has no physical issues but an old scar on his leg that we think he might be nervous about. Please help me!

Answer
Hi Carli!

I would have to say your gelding is not nervous about an old injury...he is just a little sour.  Horses are like people.  They come with all kinds of different personalities.  He could bite at me all day long if he did what I needed when I needed it under saddle.

He likes to dominate and has no concerns about dominating/disrespecting you.  Because you wrote to me and asked this question, I feel I can safely say you need to have someone explain to you how to learn to dominate him...correctly and in his language.

Ask your vet or farrier to recommend a local trainer (who will not run away at the sight of a difficult horse!) to come out and evaluate you and your gelding's situation.  This can all be easily solved through consistent and correct ground training.

You just have to learn how to talk "horse"!  It is not mean or abusive...it is speaking to them in their language.  Check it out ~

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange