3 mth old pony colt biting and/or grabbing lead rope

[QM2]

It was more like the Tasmanian Devil approach, while he flew backwards, for about 10 seconds.
Like you all said we just continued like nothing happened with the exception of me muttering death threats under my breath.

[Festivity]

I usually don’t make contact more than an initial smack if I’m lucky. But as long as it’s clear that if I did get a hold of them in those 3 seconds they’d be dead it works fine.

[Montanas_Girl]

@Festivity

I usually don’t make contact more than an initial smack if I’m lucky. But as long as it’s clear that if I did get a hold of them in those 3 seconds they’d be dead it works fine.

Yep. This. Whatever I happen to be holding at the time (or my limbs if I’m empty handed) will immediately and firmly be aimed at whatever body part - other than the eye, of course - I can reach in that 2-3 second time frame. Coupled with lots of noise and flailing, that tends to scare them straight.

[chestnutmarebeware]

@EventerAJ

I live by the John Lyons technique that you have “3 seconds to kill them.” Punch, hit, kick, strike, throw things, yell, scream, ATTACK the horse anywhere but the eyes, but ONLY for three seconds. After three seconds you act like nothing ever happened. No grudge, no hostility after 3 seconds, totally neutral. Realistically you cannot severely injure a 1200lb animal in 3 seconds, so make it count…make the horse believe you can and will kill him, that biting is a capital offense, because an intentional bite is a choice, not an accident, and that choice should have dire consequences.

When Rosie was a yearling she bit me once and I mentioned it to my trainer and she told me the exact same thing. Rosie bit me again a few days later and I went full-on Texas-Chainsaw-Massacre with her for that three seconds. Her expression was priceless , and she never offered to bite again (and she’ll be turning 25 on January 3!)

[eightpondfarm]

I’m an animal too…
that’s how i deal with untoward aggression.

I have two 3-month-olds. Neither are very mouthy but, filly did bite me on my back when i was interacting exclusively with her ‘brother’ and i hollered “OUCH!!!” and chased her a few steps cursing loudly, When i stopped she turned and walked back to me, head lowered.

About lead and grabbing rope…well i switch directions. Lots of switching and stops…little few steps of jogging then stop or back up… all using The Words for each thing. We just slip right out of that “we are going to go along this way politely” mode and do rapid switches to take their mind off of being out of sorts and into the game. Babies like games. Babies do not like disciplined marches. When we do those abrupt "Whoa"s and when they miss it and i go : HA! you missed! and laugh AT them, they shake their little heads and next time they get it right. And when they get it right, they get the most genuine compliment and usually a bit of carrot treat. BTW: They hate being ‘wrong’… It’s fun. for me and for them.

OH…and i teach them the only acceptable mouth thing is kisses. Yes, their mouth on mine kisses. It’s weird, but i like it. Mouths are GENTLE with people. Always gentle… Lips are to be given with sweetness and Never Teeth.