Does your horse having an issue with biting? You’re not alone in this situation.

So…what’s is up with all the biting that is being reported of recent? Is it an anomaly, or is there a surge in the occurrences?

I actually thought that I was alone in this matter. I have a horse with a biting issue, or at least he did have.

Years ago I had heard of horses biting, but I related that notion to wild, or “nutty” horses. Horses that were really not domesticated. I was young enough ,then, that I didn’t really give the matter much thought other than to say, “I would never own a horse that bites!” Well, that has changed now that I DO own a horse that bites.

The problem never really surfaced until several years after I purchased him. He always seemed kinda “mouthy” as they say, but never really aggressively biting. Then, things changed drastically. His mouthiness turned from playful to full on drawing blood a few times. To me this was, and is, unacceptable behavior. I knew that I needed further understanding to get to the heart of this matter.

So just what exactly is going on here? Why would any horse have a reason to bite? Isn’t biting a predator action? That’s weird for a prey animal, right?

Let’s take a look further into what might precipitate a biting response from a horse. The most obvious would be fear. Fear is a powerful motivator for any mammal. But, why bite versus flee? Are were drifting into the differences of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems here? Just how far into the weeds do I want to go with this particular article. I think we will keep it fairly basic for now.

I think it is important to stop for a moment and clarify that this behavior, or any behavior or for that matter, is not personal to you or me. Horses are mammals, but they do not possess the cognitive ability to formulate those types of thoughts. So the studies say anyway. They merely act on instinct and need.

Need is another possible reason for biting. Need for attention, or to draw attention to a need. Horses are prey animals who see food as a need. It is totally plausible that they have developed a biting response to a frustration relating to food rewards, or lack there of. Possibly changes in food, or food routines. Horses do tend to like patterns that keep things familiar.

Horses use their mouth to taste, sense, and explore things. The mouth is then a sensory tool for them. Biting is not the same as mouthing. So biting is then unusual.

However, in their social interactions with each other horses do bite, and sometimes it is aggressive. But I’m not talking about social interactions in this case. I’m talking about biting as an”out of context” situation. Biting as a response reaction to different stimuli.

Okay, so now that we have talked about what biting looks like, what can be done about it? For one thing we have to narrow down the action that precipitates the action. Exactly when does the biting occur? In other words, what are the mitigating causes, or stimuli involved?

My horse began to escalate his “mouthiness” once I gave him time off. We moved to a new location, and thus there was a “settling in” period. During this “settling in” period the horses were basically on an extended time off from work while I completed my house, and barn construction projects. Once completed I returned to him for a much needed “ride time” together only to find that things had gone terribly upside down.

He went from just mouthy grabbing the rope, or my jacket, too full on biting hard. I noticed that the biting seemed to occur in situations that he felt uncomfortable mentally, or physically. Almost a display of a tantrum, yet horses don’t have that kind of cognition. The more I explored this I came to realize that he was decompressing, and the biting was a symptom of regressed trauma.

Once I recognized this, I was able to systematically work with him to alleviate the triggers of the trauma. This in turn helped him to feel less threatened, and less of a need to bite. I also, changed the horses to an open, freedom, pasture paradise system. This system of management has allowed the horses to walk off any excess toxic energy, have freedom of movement, and to have “space” to work through any concerns they may have on their own terms. Doing this has allowed me to be removed from the stressor position into the provider role. I am no longer seen as the target, but the comforter.

Now when I go out to greet the horses they come to me without treats, food, or any method of coercion. The horses who were biting, especially the worst case, only noses my hand in a greeting horse gesture without teeth. No more pecking order behaviors are demonstrated either.

In conclusion, my experience with this issue has been one of great concern that has flourished into gratitude. I have learned a great deal more about my horses, and horse behavior because of this very frustrating issue. I learned that horses experience trauma the same as people do, that they need time to decompress, that a gentle empathy goes a long way, and that freedom to is a big factor in the psychological health of horses, as it is with all mammals.

If you have a horse that is biting, and I mean REALLY biting with aggression, then I would suggest you take some time an consider what the underlying cause might be. Some questions you can ask are:

1) is it food related? If so what can I do about it?

2) is it frustration? If so then what is he/she frustrated about?

3) is it fear related? If so what is the cause of the fear? Is it a real fear, or a emotional trigger, or both? What can be done to mitigate it?

4) is it physiological? i.e. does your horse have a traumatized past that is newly surfacing? What can you do to support the proper healing?

A few suggestions on what can be done to help:

1) if the problem seems to be food related:

a) verify the the forage you are feeding is adequate for their body type, age, and amount of exercise.

b) if the the amount of forage your are giving them is correct, but they seem to gorge then consider switching them to slow feeders. It is better for them to graze their food rather than gulp their food down in one sitting.

c) are they resource guarding? This is actually a common practice with new additions to a herd, new environment, or trauma related situations. Consider feeding them separately in a way they don’t feel threatened. Make sure they are no getting “pushed” off their feed by more dominate horses in the pecking order. Again, slow feeders will help with resource guarding as they will realize that the food is always there if they are able to slowly “graze” it.

d) try not to use food as a reward. Horses see food as a need, not a reward. So in giving it for treats can become confusing to them as a prey animal.

2) if it is frustration related then you might consider:

a) is the frustration related to pain? If so what kind of pain? Is the pain localized in any particular area? If you have a body work specialist, or you are capable of this yourself a thorough assessment might be needed.

b) How’s his/her hoof care? Do you do your own hoof care. I highly recommend that you learn how if you don’t as this will most definitely help you get a head-start on any possible issues that might arise in the future. However, having your hoof care provider take a look might not be a bad idea.

3 & 4) If it is fear/trauma related:

a) Is there a new addition to the herd i.e. a change in pecking order? Sometimes a new friend, even a good one can add a bit of frustration. There are changes to routines, environment, social interactions that have to be re-calibrated anytime something new is added into the mix. In this case, what is needed is the proper amount of time to allow everything to settle in. Just keep an eye on things to be sure nobody is getting out of hand.

b) have you already establish that the response is fear based?. If so, then where or what is the fear coming from. Is the fear an external source? Sounds, smells, or something never before seen/ newly acknowledged. Rather than remove the fearful object it is my opinion, and experience that gently helping them navigate this issue is best. I say this mostly based on the likelihood of re-occurrence that the fearful thing will likely happen again. Some people term this naturalization or desensitization. When done properly, and gently the results are good. I never promote negative reinforcement, or any type of coercion in this situation because I have found that this type of training will serve to intensify the already problematic behaviors. Slowly and gently calibrating their emotional maturity is a much more positive approach. If you are unaware of how to accomplish this I will be documenting this in future posts, but for now I would suggest researching “emotional horsemanship”, dr. Jaak panksepp”s research on mammalian behaviors, an internet search for integration and calibration of naturalization of horses , and finally internet search of pasture paradise for horses.

c) is the fear based on an emotional trigger, or trauma (past or present)? Emotional triggers are powerful, and can emerge at anytime. This can be the most difficult to spot, and manage. However, if you determine that you have a decompression situation you can begin by giving them some much needed rest. By rest I mean, special time alone if need be, time to play, time to refocus on feeling safe. Horses who have under-gone traumas don’t necessarily have the ability to self regulate at the time. Giving them comfort, and space will allow them to begin the process of re-initializing their own self-regulation. Time, patience, and empathy is really important in this scenario. Follow up with the above searches for more information regarding trauma in horses.

In any of these cases, or all of them, it is important to be patient. These issues can be resolve fairly quickly, without too much difficulty. Although, I prefer to approach this situation without a schedule as I find that my efforts are usually slowed if I try to put a ‘clock” on it.

I do understand that some of you may have a “schedule” you need your horse to perform, or compete. Totally understandable. However, I have learned the hard way that if the processed is rushed the preferred outcome will definitely be delay!

I truly pray that you will find the path that leads to a wonderfully blessed partnership with your horses/horses. I will add a brief prayer here for your progress…”Dear Heavenly Father, please for give me of any trespasses as I come before you in intercessory prayer for those reading this. I pray the blood of Jesus over the horses in need of assistance in this matter. I humbly ask for wisdom to guide us Father as we proceed down the road of care for these beautiful creatures. May all who read this be Blessed by your will. Thank you in Jesus name. -Amen”

As always, I wish you all my love, and may God Bless you!

Love-Annie 🙂