why would a pony nip..

[booksinbed]

Walking along with pony going back to field once and she just nipped.not done since but today walking in different place did same .first time i smacked her fairly gently and she was all wide eyed .a pal said i shouldnt do it just guide her away with my hand fiirmly.advice please and why wd she suddenly do it - shes new to me ...

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Like I said, they know its time, you know its time... Sometimes being old is enough.

dominance hierarchy

yes you can smack her. she would bite other ponies to work out who's boss. You can't ride a horse if it thinks it's your boss.

I knew one trainer you used to bite horses on the nose if they bit him.

ponies are always often naughty especially with people they don't rspect (sorry).

Sounds like you've got yourself a bit emotionally strung out with it all! Take a step back. Remind yourself that you're the boss. Don't let her take the piss or she will go off you. And don't forget that we've all had difficult times with horses at some point or another; it's not just you. They all test us out, and we have to remain in charge (they are so much like children!)

So sorry to hear of your loss, Exit. Saggy is right, the time comes when it's just the only way forward, and you grieve like mad. Hope the horse shaped hole gets filled when the time is right

You need to let her know you are the boss. When I had an 11.2 he bit me once or twice and my mum told me to bite him back, so I did, on the shoulder! I got a mouthful of fur but he was so shocked that he never did it again. A sharp pinch would work just as well, and I always a good firm growly "no" works well. My big horse tried to bite when I first got him when I was girthing him up and I'm afraid he got my knee in his stomach and a loud "don't you do that to me" and again he has stopped. They are trying it on and because of their size and strength it is something I won't let them get away with.

My horse came with polo habit from his old yard which had made him a bit nippy, as soon as he worked out he wasn't getting them he gave up.