Tips for Leading a Pushy or Nippy Horse!

All horses can get pushy or nippy if they are left to believe they are the leader in the relationship. Here I point out examples of the subtle signs that your horse thinks he's in charge which leads to confusion and frustration in the horse and ultimately undesired behavior.

[zdenkavondra]

Great to see a demonstration with a horse who actually is pushy. And yeah, i have been missing the subtle ways those Haflingers are leading me. My eyes are open. Thank you.

[Courrtana]

I recently started leasing a 3 y/o percheron gelding. He's BIG. He literally dragged me today (super embarrassing). I'm taking all the tips and tricks from this video for our next round pen session! Thank you

[emerwatchorn]

This is a very good simple video for leading. Thank you

[boostystarman]

Getting ready to do some groundwork with a mare who’s been giving us this kind of trouble, this is awesome!

[fretforyourpilot]

My 2 year old warmblood filly has been developing some of these habits at the barn i moved her to. Definitely gonna give these tips a try!

[octoberjubilee]

Very helpful. I have to revisit issues around respecting space with my 15 year old appy, frequently. Your video was informative and a good reminder to me about the need to remedy the smaller issues before they become big ones.

[basssix]

If that horse was brown I would swear you stole him from my barn ! This was very helpful, thank you !

[espoir]

Great tips! Thank you! I'm a new horse owner and I have about a month with her before she goes to the trainer. She an old gal so she knows the ropes and I need to learn to keep my space!

[ReformedTryHard]

Thank you for this. My gelding is getting worse vs better. There are certain spots on the property, between his pasture and the round pen, where he just takes over; gets big, rushes ahead of me while leaning hard left with his shoulder, so he’s almost over top of me and can end up facing me. It’s a little scary at times. I do work with a trainer, but we haven’t been able to resolve this for when he’s not there. People have suggested I bought the wrong horse over this ONE issue. I just want to figure it out!

[lauraalbertson]

That was good . Our little 10 month old Gypsy cross Paint is nippy and does exactly what you said . Crowding my husband over to the left . He has started to rear up when Gary is taking his halter off to, release in the pasture, . I suggested to stop and lower his head and calm him before taking off the Halter . Any tips ? He was weaned at 4 mos . And we got him at 6 mos. He is newly gelded (2mos). We are new with Handling a Baby Horse Bear always comes to us . He loves grooming. Isn’t spooky . We are not putting him in a herd . But he has a Neighbor Mare next door. They groom each other over the fence . and she has bonded to him beautifully. Thank you for any more helpful tips . We are stuck with how to stop biting and now rearing . Laura 💜 Bear 🐴 💜

[juliec]

Perfect for my problem today, Deanna
Thanks- Julie

[InquiringMindsKnow]

I will try this next. I have one who is loving but not that responsive and will run right over me. Another that is fearful I am going to do something to him he does not like, each time I go to put on a fly mask or touch him in any way. He is threatening and I have had him since he was 1.5 years old and he is 16 now. I approach him in a non-threatening manor, I am loving and positive, and correct him fast if he really threathens to hurt me. He is the bottom of the pecking order in a paddock of 3 geldings. He treats me like I am the 4th horse and he wants to dominate. But it is all fear based. He is extremely cinchy. He threatens to kick or bite. I have worked for so many years with him on trust, but I am convinced allot of this is his personality. Once I am riding him, he is calm and good. Getting him to move his feet in 4 directions does not stop this behivior. Any suggestions??

[KimbaLorber]

What about an over excited horse? When their head goes up and their adrenaline starts flowing and then they completely tune you out and you could be in danger of getting run over? If you wave whips in front of my horse when she's like that is escalates the situation. How do you calm the horse, not escalate?

[gemmadavies]

It all starts here! People with years of experience could do with learning how to lead a horse! Question yourself if the horse isn't behaving how you want him to.

[jacquelineberger]

Thanks for this video Diana! How do you hold your personal space boundary when you’re leading a nippy or pushy horse to the mounting block or when they’re tied up for grooming & tacking? Thanks!

[ln]

Do you find the whip in hand makes the difference?

[ln]

If I move my horses head to his space we tend to go back and forth and it becomes a game

[gerrycoleman]

If the horse is pushy and/or nippy, the horse is not viewing the person as the fair and trusted leader. That must be established first.

[patgleeson]

My horse is nipping because people walking the road and feeding carrots etc and every time they want sweets l have sign up

[jessicajonsson]

Funny you should mention dance.. I always think Dirty Dancing. "This is my dance space. You don't belong in mine and I don't belong in yours. You got to hold the frame".