Solving biting or nipping issues with horses

Dealing with horses that are mouthy and tend to nip. After a post on social media where I mentioned that my wife's new horse, Dale, used to very mouthy and how instead of feeling that it was something I felt needed fixing, I took it as him wishing to engage with me.

I received so much feedback with people asking what I did, I thought I’d make a video today and discuss it a bit .

Warwick has hundreds of full length training videos filmed with REAL horses, REAL people, REAL problems in REAL time on his online video library.

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[ThisLifeWeLive]

Please note that he explains it took 4 MONTHS for this particular horse to work through the mouthy behavior. As someone who's had a biting, nipping, chewing horse I can say that this does WORK. At least with mine it's had an effect on him just the 2 times I've tried it. MUCH more effective than asking him to back up, move out of my space, etc. But like anything, it's something that will need to be done regularly or as needed. All of his focus and release work in his video library is WELL worth the money. More effective than a trainer and a fraction of the price!

[pennysmith]

So interesting that you decided instead of trying to "fix" him, you tried to satisfy his need. The great pediatrician Barry Brazelton said that a need that is satisfied "goes away", and you just showed us that with a horse!

[dreamingoflongdistance]

It's what separates the mediocre from the great in the horse world... getting things done in a way that's beneficial for horse and owner. I just don't think you can do cookie-cutter approach to any animal, they all have unique personalities. Good job, Warwick. You are a patient and kind horseman ❤️

[katieperry]

Bloody brilliant video. I used to deal with a lot of colts in racing and I always knew they wanted interaction. They're stuck in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day just about. Broke my heart when other lads just knocked them about for it.

[kathleen]

What a beautiful insight! I love this. And now, it looks like when he turns toward you, he's asking for the nose massage. I've heard that the nerve endings of the limbic system of the horse's brain are in and around the nose, even the gums...and when we massage them, they immediately receive an emotional feeling of well-being, and when done often, creates a new neurological pathway that changes the prior behavior. The results are sure apparent in this video! I learned to massage even the upper and lower gums, and now the horse asks for it whenever I come near...! Thank you for posting this. What a perspective!

[ano.theart]

Yes!!
My gelding was the exact same.
At first i took it as aggression, but then I realized he was actually trying to communicate that he was feeling anxious
If you soften to them they soften to you

[katethenaturalist]

This is incredibly helpful! "He just wants to engage" has helped me break through with an older horse that bites and that most people steer clear of. The change is remarkable over just three days. It feels so much better to treat his nips as friendly attempts to engage rather than punishing them. It's heart-warming to see this anxious huge fellow relax once he knows he's not going to get hit or yanked. His eyes go soft and he licks and chews and instead of snapping. He truly wants connection and surely has some very good reasons not to trust. It takes time to earn that trust, for both of us. Trusting his intention — understanding his desire to connect — was the first step. Thank you for shining this light onto what he's trying to say! #JourneyOn20

[rozeestancombe]

As someone looking for alternative ways to train ( believe everyone should stay in a state of learning) I Can not thank you enough for tour transparency. My very mouthy 2 year old is not so mouthy anymore and it's not because shes popped.

[StableHorseTraining]

Excellent video. It amazes me how many people say NOT to touch a horse's face. This is great and a really good suggestion to add to the toolbox.

[kerryobrien]

Wonderful. My mare is very mouthy. It's a combination of anxiety, plus she's an over achiever and really wants to please, which is another layer of anxiety. Recognizing that has been hugely helpful.

[Evergreenandmyrtle]

I have never heard so many wise sayings as in your videos.👍

[yvonnejinks]

Warwick, a great video on how to look at things differently. Many people react aggressively with even the possibility of a bite, my personal view is that training through intimidation never works long term.

[jennifercockrill]

I've been struggling with exactly this issue for a long time with a horse I love. It drives me insane! I'm so relieved to have a different way to look at this behavior, and to have another way to engage with him that will be more satisfying to him and less frustrating to me. Thanks for the coaching!

[DRAGNPRINC]

I was out with my horses today and decided to try this out with my nibbly one. It seemed to make a bit of difference in how often he nibbles me.
I will keep using this method and see if he improves further.

[kellyfitzpatrick]

Thank you so much for this awesome video. I just bought a horse that is so mouthy and really wants to interact with me. He doesn't bite, just wants to put his lips on me, cuddle me, be with me. It was suggested to me that if I allow him to do that, eventually it would get worse and over time he would bite me. So I was having him back out of my space everytime he would try to engage with me so he couldn't reach me. Then I found this video. It has been a true relationship saver with this horse. He simply is trying to connect with me. I want him to want to connect with me! So I've put this to practice and it has been amazing! I am so grateful that I found you so that I didn't ruin my connection and relationship with my horse! He still approaches me and wants to connect. I encourage it and engage with him and he relaxes. Win, win! #journeyon20

[blkgryphon]

The great Canadian horseman Josh Nichol has been talking about this for a LONG TIME: that horses we generally label as biters, pushy, or rude are simply insecure and trying to engage us the only way they know how - - through spatial conversation. So glad to see someone as popular as Warwick coming around to this kind of thinking!

[LittleMissHollyxoxo]

I’ve always thought that biting horses are trying to assert their dominance, not engage with us.
I’m having issues with my Andalusian biting so I will give this new way of thinking a go. Interesting perspective

[lvpisias]

Love this. I have a very mouthy horse, and people think I'm crazy because I don't "discipline" him. Thanks for helping people understand our mouthy friends.

[Asayrose]

Thank you. My horse used to bite. I started out being mean to get him to stop. Didn't work. Finally I started giving him nice mouth attention like you said rubbing his nose nice. All he wanted was attention. He is the most loving horse!

[maanuulicious]

Found your channel last weekend and yesterday I tried your tipp at my mare.... Have her since last Oct and the whole cleaning process was so annoying cause she always tried to snapp or bite you. Nothing worked.... So tried your tipp IT WORKED 😍😍 and she was licking her mouth, standing relaxed one hoof up really thank you so much.... Tipps like this are gold 👌👌👌🥇