What is your opinion?

[chaz1]

How would you disipline your horse? Would you use your voice or would you use some controlled force? Say for example your horse bites you.. would you tap it on the nose (some would say this leads to head shyness) or would you simply use your voice to make him aware your the boss. There are so many differences in opinion, i'm interested to know how others view this.

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[Clanad]

Being here in the western U.S. in cow ranching country, we don't see our horses as pets, other than the kids ponies. They are working partners in getting the job done. Having said that, in terms of breaking horses or correcting bad behavior(s) we learn quite well from those that have had success in dealing with it previously, in this case my father.

The key to any behavior modification is consitency. One simply can't apply any corrective behavior on a hit or miss basis. Secondly, for example, if biting is the problem. I've never had a horse yet that didn't telegraph what he or she was going to do. A bite from the horse should be met as soon as it's perceived by the rider. That is, if, for example, your standing at the horses side preparing to mount, you should be aware the moment his head turns toward you and meet that motion with a quick elbow. Not a hard hit but a firm "blocking" motion that gets his attention. Only a little practice will help you be aware of the horses intent.... This is just a quick discussion of how one should discipline such a large and relatively intelligent animal... in my opinion...

[jules77]

my friend works on the same principle, a quick smack immediately after they do anything - and to be fair hers are very well behaved........most of the time. Horses can be taught to recognise short words and their meaning but the tone in which commands are given is also important and should remain consistent with the associated word.

[Pippa68]

My horse certainly knows the word NO! not that I need to use it often, as he is pretty well behaved..but if he does decide to muck about, words work.

Mind you, he was a riding school horse so I am probably very lucky ;o)

[foxyflugel]

Hi - I agree with the others on here. Your hand should never be viewed as a punishment as this leads to head shyness. My horse is now 22 and I have owned him since he was just under 2 years old. I have probably smacked him a handful of times (if that - but never on his nose/head - and only when I needed to). I found that if I raised my voice by a few decibels!! (just stern really, not so much the volume) that this is discipline enough and that way you end up with a horse that is calm and never head shy.

[uraeus]

I suppose it depends how you hold yourself and your self belief that the horse has done badly. You can yell NO! all you like and have no conviction. I think thats what differentiates novice riders from experienced, they can just get the conviction behind their punishment without violence, which just breaks bonds. But nipping definitely deserves a slap on the nose!!