If you enjoy giving treats to your horse but he keeps mugging you for them and won't knock it off, try doing this: each time he mugs you, push his face gently but firmly away from you to where he is looking straight ahead.
In the beginning, as soon as he keeps his head to the front instead of mugging you, give him his treat. You may have to be quick about it and timing is everything.
As he begins to understand he won't get a treat until he looks ahead (and not mug you), you can ask him to wait a bit longer, then a bit longer, and then a bit longer. It won't take him long to figure this all out.
BE CONSISTENT - if you do this, whatever you do, don't screw everything up and give him a treat when he mugs you. Then you've lost the war ! And, totally confused the poor fellow with your mixed messages.
Giving treats doesn't make horses bite, the darlings start biting or nipping only because you allowed the mugging behavior. Do the above and you and your horse will be happy.
In the beginning, as soon as he keeps his head to the front instead of mugging you, give him his treat. You may have to be quick about it and timing is everything.
As he begins to understand he won't get a treat until he looks ahead (and not mug you), you can ask him to wait a bit longer, then a bit longer, and then a bit longer. It won't take him long to figure this all out.
BE CONSISTENT - if you do this, whatever you do, don't screw everything up and give him a treat when he mugs you. Then you've lost the war ! And, totally confused the poor fellow with your mixed messages.
Giving treats doesn't make horses bite, the darlings start biting or nipping only because you allowed the mugging behavior. Do the above and you and your horse will be happy.
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS --- www.RideNYS.com
Thanks..
ReplyDeleteSue
Thanks, Sue, for reading my stuff - just started the blog a few days ago and am not real comfortable with it yet. Do you have horses?
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