Dealing with a Nippy, Pushy Horse

While many trainers will tell you that the way to deal with a horse that nips or pushes into your space is to "give him a good smack" or "make the horse move its feet to show him who's boss", Josh Nichol has a very different way of dealing with such behaviors. In this video, shot during a clinic in the Yukon, Josh demonstrates his Relational Horsemanship approach to working with a horse that nips, pushes into his owner's space, and has a hard time staying present and focused. Watch as Josh uses clear spatial communication to help the horse settle mentally, which makes the nipping, pushiness, and distractibility simply disappear.

[blkgryphon]

I recently heard Josh use a metaphor in one of his live webinars that I thought was really relevant to this kind of situation. He said something like, "You know when you are in a hallway, and someone comes striding down the hallway with purpose, obviously having something important they have to go do. You don't take that personally at all, but you do just step out of the way. This is kind of what we need to do when we define our space with our horses. It's not really about them -- it is about us having clarity, determination and purpose in ourselves and in what we do."

[riana]

finally someone who doesnt whack their horse to get the out of their space!! good job!

[buffster]

Love this tutorial. Spatial awareness is closely linked to proprioception (our awareness of our own body's dimensions and properties in the context of the world around us). I think horses use these forms of perception much more than we do. It's great to see a demonstration of how to help my nipper! :) Thank you.
The "backing up" is interesting too. I guess horses "think with their feet" a lot more than we do.

[lolybrown]

This was really helpful first me. I have a six year old green gelding who gets right in my space as soon as he’s nervous. I swear he’d crawl up in my arms if he could. He also likes to mouth at me. This fixed it instantly. Its so different from the mare I’ve acquired who is reactive and runs away.

[micheleeinarson]

This is what I'm going to do in the grocery store when someone invades my 6 foot social distance bubble!

[TenerifeHorseRescue]

Great video. We have a horse sanctuary and have to do a lot of horse training. We just got a 5 year old who is very "nippy and pushy" I hadn't heard it described as character traits before as spacial. Makes great sense. After he settles in a little, i look forward to working with him.

[truthinaction]

I have just recently started having a relationship with a horse that is not mine and I am interacting with him in a pasture with a mule. Both are super friendly, loving, intelligent, and want my attention ! I am a novice horseman to say the least lol Diamond is IN MY SPACE He IS a spacial horse; I am so HAPPY I found this video !! I have been doing research to learn how to interact, understand, and deepen the relationship properly. I am working on keeping calm while trying NOT allowing the both of them to push me around as they don't have great manners. Thank you so much for your insight !!

[Breezan]

Thank you. This is a great visual lesson that gives me a new perspective with our “playful” gelding.

[gingercox]

He’s looking for a leader. Putting him in his space and out of your space helps him. Focus on you more.

[annettemcnabb]

Thank you for sharing this video!!! I am dealing with this with my young colt at the. moment and have resorted to hitting him for biting me -I hate it! Now I will take this advice and give it a go-THANK YOU!!!XO

[MsGroovalicious]

Great video. The owner, unknowingly, was holding him too closely. The lead is at least 10'. People hold horses like they're in the showring or to try to have some control. Better to let them have some space with using the lead properly. Much learning here. Thank you!

[tamarkiewe]

This was so helpful! I've started working with a really pushy mare and she's not mean in any way but just has no respect for space.

[jeeperscreepers]

Just found ya and would love to see a follow-up of you letting the owner try and you instruct. To me, this hands-on is what I feel helps my students/clients. Getting it right just one time brings the confidence the horse rider can do it. Subbing b/c I love your instructions. I have different words but use basically the same technique as you. Great video, ty.

[lauraalbertson]

This is exactly what we need to do . Thank you Josh 💜🐴💜

[mingram]

Excellent information! I’ve been dealing with a nippy mare.

[jameystone]

You are very nice a gentle. Lovely to see. Since I can't always have a stick and flag in my hands while doing chores around 5 large horses, I just raise my elbows up and down rather slowly. It one is very pushy and dominant (one of my thoroughbreds still tries to dominate me), my elbow does bump him and it doesn't hurt him nor me (elbows have very few nerves) but it is a solid bump to move him away. He's improving -- he used to try to pin me up against a wall during feeding time -- I love the big guy regardless..

[ano.theart]

This was very helpful. Thank you from Australia

[grimeyIRF]

I watched it earlier today. My biggest take away from the video was putting that plastic bag on the end of the whip... very effective with my 'spatially challenged' gelding

[jimmywade]

Be nice to everybody and kind and giving and you'll be blessed

[Joybellmorgans]

Haflinger thing. It's the reason I love Morgans.