To think a happy horse wouldn’t bite a child?

[NippyPete]

We are not a horsey family but DD is horse-mad. Yesterday the instructor asked DD to ride a pony she’d never ridden before. She told DD to hold her tightly because this pony is ‘sometimes funny’ about the saddle. As the instructor tightened the girth the pony swung its head round and bit DD on the leg hard enough to cause a fairly big bruise.

Is this not a sign that this pony is in pain? We’ve not had anything like this happen before and I’m a bit unsure what to say to a very upset DD.

Quite often riding schools opt for ponies that are lazy slow coaches. Much better for young learners than highly spirited ponies that will just piss off with them.
It’s a right of passage having to learn to get a horse moving. Horses aren’t ever going to be easy so I think you need to allow your daughter to learn how to hold on tight enough not to get bitten and to have enough determination to get her horse going. Otherwise, what’s the point? Horses will teach grit and perseverance.
A good sign of a riding school really is well fitting tack, horses not running out of hay or water & the horses not being ridden constantly. The fact they sound like they’ve got a lot of ponies makes me think that they probably rotate the ones used in classes which would be a good sign.

A horse who isn’t being listened to will bite. It’s a form of communication. If it’s gets to the stage of biting, it’s because you weren’t properly paying attention to the communication cues to stop before it got to the point of reacting by biting.

She’s been fairly uncomfortable kicking them so hard but if she doesn’t they just don’t go. I’ve wondered if this mean they’re over worked?
@NippyPete , the ponies are highly unlikely to be in pain or over-worked.
Could your daughter find a hobby where you weren't overthinking about animal welfare?

No, it means they're riding school ponies.
Really think you should calm down and stop questioning the welfare of the riding school ponies when you clearly don't know the first thing about ponies!

You can have a dog all your life op, and it will turn on you if you piss it off.

Animals are like humans in some ways, they get irritated, will bit back if you push the buttons.

I would say a horse that isn't happy to go forward is one of the key indicators of pain.

I remember reading about an autopsy on a riding school pony which showed the damage to the ribs caused by continuous kicking.

All the excuses on here - "horses are just grumpy" and "my horse bit and nothing was wrong" - is so bloody depressing. It never fails to surprise me just how outdated attitudes in the horse world are.

So riding school ponies can't be in pain? And the OP has shown more awareness than many people on this thread.

Well of course that would be the argument for those that partake! They can’t speak so let’s assume they love humans on their back for fun 🙄

Horses have long memories - perhaps someone pinched her with the girth in the past and she's bearing the grudge...

It's good to be aware, though, that riding is an activity with inherent risks - true of many sports and hobbies, but more so with horses because they're animals and therefore random individuals, just like people. You can never totally remove the risk, so you have to make your peace with that, or decide not to ride.

It can be wonderfully character-building if you stick with it though... 😄

1 , Horses bite. They can also kick, barge and push. None of these habits means the horse is necessarily unhappy.
2, Please stop your daughter vigorously kicking her horse. It will remember and can definitely be the cause of the biting! Ask the instructor to explain correct use of leg aids.
3, I’m not sure if horse riding is going to work out for you if I’m honest . Please get more advice from professionals if you want your dc to continue.There are some great social media accounts to follow.

You can roll your eyes but it’s absolutely true regardless of where you dislike hearing that.

No one can assume they all like having humans on their back. Biting someone could absolutely be a sign. They can’t speak and tell you actually no, I’m not fancying that today. How typical and selfish that humans assume that all horses and ponies love being ridden 🙄

The ignorance that they all love being ridden is astounding.

My DD rode a yard that I was a bit “ hmmmm” about. Ponies were not in bad condition and they were turned out to graze a few times a week so not over worked but she was tipped off a couple of times for no discernible reason and they could be a bit pushy and shovey when leading ( she ended up as a “helper”). I’m not sure that they were best suited temperamentally to the work. Saying that I’ve never seen such grumpiness as one emanate from the polo ponies on the other side of the yard. I can only assume they were all called Satan and Diablo such was the utter determination to get you if you came near their them.

I've seen a pony that had his best day ever when he bit people. Second best day was stepping on their feet.

Yet he was a dream when riding.

No, it just means they're immune to being kicked because it happens so often.

Riding school ponies have to be able to tolerate fidgety children (and adults) making lots and lots mistakes, which means that they can't equate every kick with "move".

Lots of learners will kick at the wrong time, won't have the ability to keep their legs still etc. and so the horses will be getting kicked and tapped constantly when the rider doesn't actually mean to. It's why a lot of learners in riding schools carry a schooling whip to give them a light tap on the bum - as it's done "on purpose" and the horse understands what is meant from them.

OP - please ignore everyone saying that horse riding might not be for you. We need more people questioning whether horses are happy - not less!! Any good yard would be happy to discuss the reason why the horse was biting.

For example, with my horse I would be checking back, saddle, girth placement and ulcers etc.

It could also be a habit or memory but if this behaviour is coupled with unwillingness to go forward I would be bet it is a pain issue.

What area are you in? We might be able to recommend some other riding schools?

That's right. That's why they have to have a metal bar shoved through their mouth.

@NippyPete I'd find another riding school because this one sounds pretty poor. Better still, encourage your daughter to find a different hobby.

My dd’s very happy extensively vetted pony had biting triggers. She was very difficult around her girth, and a bit headshy. She had been very badly treated in her past, so we put it down to that and humoured her.

Yes some just bite. Some kick, some throw you off. It’s a dangerous hobby. I know a friends mum who is paralysed and brain damaged from being thrown off her “kind horse”. I would encourage your daughter to find a new hobby.

My DD’s pony (aforementioned)went best bitless.

Tell us you know nothing about horses without....oh you can guess the rest

The worst are Shetland ponies, can be evil little sods, it’s par for the course a horse may bite if it gets the chance.
Bruise will heal quickly, be careful if it breaks the skin it can get infected quickly

Where does it say that? Or did you just make that bit up?

Firstly, I never said that.
Secondly, I’m not going to have my made-up ‘ignorance’ detailed by somebody that obviously doesn’t have a clue about horses (that’s you, BTW)

It really doesn't 😂 OP they're school horses. They've been specifically trained to ignore the rider unless it is a very clear and decisive cue.

Horses aren't push button. They pay attention to everything. Your leg, the reins, the minutest shift of your weight, it all means something.

Then you have the learner. The learner does not sit quietly.

They wobble, they fidget, they have no idea how to balance without moving their legs, they hold their reins unevenly, flapping about like washing lines, while also using them for balance. They are basically asking the pony to dance the Macarena backwards, while simultaneously telling him to hold still and also please launch into canter from a complete standstill.

These ponies know to ignore it all. If they aren't 100% certain that was a deliberate kick to move forwards, they will wait for another one, just to be sure. For example, at our school we have a little boy who shifts his weight backwards and kicks at the same time. Pony is confused. Sit back means stop/slow down and kick means go. So pony waits for clarification. This is frustrating for the child but learning to control your body is all part of learning to ride.

Girthiness is also common. We have several like that. One is due to having previously had ulcers. He kicks back and bites because he remembers that it used to hurt. He still expects the pain. He is so stoic, no-one knew he had them until he started showing symptoms and by then he was in major pain. He's been girthy ever since.

One us because one of the kids accidentally pinched his skin when doing it up once and now doesn't trust that it won't pinch him again.

The other is just grumpy in general and wants to be left to eat until he can't fit through the gate.

Then we have the fact that horses have moods. One hates the rain and bites anyone who has the audacity to exist anywhere near him when it's raining. Sometimes they're just grumpy.

If she wants to be around horses, she needs to get used to the fact that she will get bitten, stepped on, kicked at, barged into the odd wall, she will fall off, sometimes get bucked off and sometimes it will hurt, sometimes it won't but she will get up and go again. Horse girls have to bounce.