From: Judy
Hello, Jessica! I have a bit of progress report, with many thanks to you, as well as a few questions.
Most of the time, Precious is terribly cinchy (pins her ears, tries to bite) when I saddle her and initially tighten the cinch/girth (this started after she returned from two months with a trainer about 18 months ago). I've been working on it (saddling slowly, gently, praising her a lot when she's good, stopping when she acts up) and it's helping some, but she almost always tries to bite. I guess it'll just take more time and trust. Anyway, last week, I let my guard down for a split second as I was checking the girth and she bit the *** out of my arm (not a bad injury -- a very sore arm and big bruise!). It happened so fast, and I was so shocked I didn't know what to do. By then, three seconds had passed so I decided I had to let it go. I was very careful to not act angry and I just continued tacking her up. It felt like she was watching me and waiting for a reaction that never came. I'm afraid now she really thinks it's okay to do that. I read your recent post to the writer with a mouthy young gelding. Would the techniques described there be the same for this situation?
You were right not to punish her when you had let too much time go by. But the next time she bites -- or, better yet, the next time she puts her ears back and snakes her neck around to bite, but BEFORE she bites, make a horrible noise at her and stamp your foot hard. If you were a horse and she tried to bite you, your reaction would be to squeal and kick her hard -- don't do the kicking part, but if you're coordinated enough to tack up with a riding whip in your hand, you can certainly smack her in the chest while you scream "NO!" or make a loud "YOU LOSE" buzzer sound (my personal preference because it doesn't sound like ANYTHING else in the world, so the horse can't possibly get confused). Then, once you've reacted violently and loudly, ignore any faces she makes, and just continue calmly and quietly (but always with one eye on her...).
When you first fasten the girth, always fasten it loosely. Then you can pull out each of her front legs, so that the skin behind the elbows is pulled tight. This will remove any wrinkles that could hurt her if they were allowed to stay under the girth (one reason horses learn to hate the girth being tightened). It will also shift your saddle back into the correct position! After a few minutes, take the girth up ONE hole. Then walk her into the arena and take it up another hole when you approach the mounting block. After you've ridden her for five or ten minutes, check your girth again -- you may need to tighten it another hole. Don't OVERTIGHTEN the girth - - it's miserably uncomfortable for the horse, and teaches a horse to hate and resent the saddle and the saddling process.
Take your time, be VERY clear about what you will and will not accept in the behaviour department (rude faces yes, snapping teeth no, biting NO NO NO!). Praise her when she is pleasant, and she should come around eventually, although, as I said, she may ALWAYS make faces.
- Jessica
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