| Horses chew, we all know that, but if you've ever | | | | the behavior. To make a long story short when I fed |
| watched horses out in pasture they'll perform types of | | | | this horse the side of my hand he took it and just |
| grooming and bonding rituals with their teeth. Take a | | | | practically melted right before my eyes, the tension |
| look sometimes and you'll notice many times horses | | | | just nearly completely dissipating. It was obvious this |
| standing together while one is almost seemingly biting | | | | horse had been denied this urge to bond for quite |
| the flesh of the other. They'll grab a little bunch of flesh | | | | some time, perhaps always. |
| and in a careful way kind of nip away with a little tug | | | | Now by contrast I have been with other horses that |
| of the skin. This is very common and it's a cooperative | | | | when I encourage the nibbling behavior their reaction is |
| event where one horse allows the other. I'm quite sure | | | | one of almost "Fear" and panic! Obviously residual |
| I wouldn't discourage such behavior amongst horses. | | | | from being smacked anytime any part of the human |
| Now we (humans) come along and from day one we | | | | body comes in contact with their mouth other than if |
| teach our horses- even from babies- not to bite. At | | | | there is "Food or a Bit" in hand. A pretty sad event |
| the slightest indication the young horse is nipping us | | | | when you think about it. The horse has the urge to |
| we'll most likely retaliate with a little swat on the horses | | | | bond and it gets beaten back by unsuspecting human |
| nose to discourage such a thing. | | | | beings. The horse literally filled with joy. |
| We spend a lot of time with horses; wouldn't you | | | | Ok - here is a word of caution if you're intending to |
| suspect perhaps these wonderful sensitive animals | | | | discover and pursue this for yourself. Some horses |
| would perhaps want to bond with us just as well? | | | | are so full of anxiety over being denied this that when |
| They're practically like family aren't they? Didn't the | | | | you do first start to feed the side of your palm to |
| Arab horses of old (maybe still) actually live in the | | | | them they're going to clamp down quite hard (you |
| houses of some people? Well yes. So why are we | | | | must be careful and prepared and go slowly). Just |
| discouraging - well obviously having a horse even a | | | | sneak your hand in their mouth for a second and slip it |
| baby horse come up to us and nip us on the neck just | | | | out before they clamp down. And basically most |
| doesn't make life pleasurable to say the least. Ok- so | | | | horses will "Snap" the skin of the side of your hand |
| what's the point, there is one. | | | | with their teeth. So you're pulling away slightly as |
| The point is I've seen and worked with horses that | | | | they're clamping down which causes the snap. They |
| were full of anxiety due to not being allowed to "Bond" | | | | do it in the pasture as well; they pull the skin & |
| with us. The urge for horses to nibble on us in a | | | | snap. |
| bonding way I believe is very strong. The point is rather | | | | So please be careful - every horse is different, you |
| than smacking your horse on the nose discouraging | | | | need to learn how to read them. Obviously I have an |
| him and pushing him away perhaps we should find a | | | | advantage because I'm a Farrier and I get to handle a |
| way to be permissive of such horse behavior. But | | | | lot of horses. |
| how is the question right? - Are you now thinking that | | | | So should horses be allowed to chew on us? My |
| perhaps I let my horses and other horses nibble on | | | | answer is a resounding "Yes, but in a controlled |
| me? YES! I DO. I actually feed the side of my hand | | | | manner. You'll have a different horse as a result. |
| "Baby finger side" into a horse's mouth palm facing up. | | | | If you liked this story and would like to get your hands |
| You'll be amazed how many horses take the bait and | | | | on a horseshoeing method that has a 16 year 100% |
| commence with the nibbling. (Insert laughter here). | | | | track record "Not One Single Lame Horse" rush and |
| Here's an example: I was called out on a job one day | | | | click the website link down below in the Author Bio - |
| to shoe a horse, it was my first appointment with this | | | | do it before you and your horse loose out. Your horse |
| horse. When I approached I immediately noticed the | | | | will love you for it. |
| horse was full of tension and to a degree I'd never | | | | Thank you, happy riding and remember to |
| seen before. What puzzled me was there was no | | | | Care4Horses. |
| apparent reason for it, it was just part of his | | | | Reprint rights allowed providing nothing is changed. |
| demeanor. Needless to say I was quite surprised by | | | | |