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Greetings!,
Horses bite each other, but why do horses bite humans? If a horse bites you, is it dominance, fear, resource guarding, poor manners in asking for a treat, disrespect, sheer aggression or playfulness? If a horse bites you, is it fair game to strike him back?
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QUESTION AND ANSWER
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Question:
My name is Pierangelo. I'm writing from France and I have an Italian Horse that is 7 years old. The problem is when we work with the Dually Halter, on the ground, he is always trying to bite. You say that violence is not an answer but for me it is a kind of violence from his side. To be honest he makes it just when he works and also riding when he decides to not work is a really nightmare. If not, when he is in a good day he is nice and you can do everything with him because he learns very quickly. I've asked two professional trainers and the feedback has been maybe it is better to sell him, I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. So first question: How can I stop his biting? Second: how can I get a good relationship to work?
Monty's Answer:
Thank you very much for your inquiry. I thank you also for your acceptance of my concepts and curiosity where they are concerned. Very often I receive information similar to what you have outlined regarding your horse. In a very high percentage of such cases it is discovered that violence was used in the training process during the course of the formative years of the horse's life. Horses treated with violence will often express violence toward the human because it is the only option left to them. I think the best suggestion I can make to you is that somehow you get copy of my textook, "From My Hands to Yours," and follow each of the concepts that I outline in there. Biting has its own chapter.
When I hear you say that biting is violence from the horse to the human, it concerns me that you might be treating this as a pass to use violence and feel that it is justified. For me, violence is never justified. It is, in fact, something that we typically use when we are simply out of ideas that are non-violent. We use harsh methods from frustration most of the time. I understand how this can happen but I've never witnessed it being the answer to the problem involved. It is true that this horse might be beyond repair. If that's the case, let's be sure that we prepare your mind for the next horse to come along so that violence does not become an acceptable option.
Attacking the point of consternation is an open invitation to war. If we go to war with the horse it is likely the horse will win. They're bigger, stronger and faster. What happens when one chooses to hit the horse for biting is that the biting will continue at the same level. The horse will become more cunning as to timing, faster on the attack and very quick to 'jerk back' anticipating being hit. The overall outcome is that the biting becomes much worse rather than experiencing an improvement.
Professional trainers will sometimes recommend harsh measures in an attempt to discourage biting. I have heard them say that you hit with your fist very hard at the slightest indication that a bite is coming. I have been told to use vibrating practical joke mechanisms which have a sharp point on them. Some have said to use a clothes peg to execute a painful pinch; I've even heard it recommended using a pair of pliers. The worst I know of is the recommendation to place a nail between your fingers jabbing the horse that bites.
Each of these measures is guaranteed to produce a horse which is a more dangerous biter than previously. One must agree to take all painful/violent measures out of the training scenario. It is critical that no attention is paid to the muzzle area of the biting horse whatsoever. These measures will simply cause the horse to bite down with the teeth and then exit taking parts of your clothing and possibly even your skin along with him. There are much more effective ways to deal with this problem.
Read more about Monty's thoughts on handling the horse that bites: http://www.montyroberts.com/monty-blog/ask-monty-isnt-it-ok-to-hit-the-horse-who-bites-you/
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THIS WEEK IN MONTY'S EQUUS ONLINE UNI
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How do you use Monty's tool to stop a horse from bucking? This topic is the subject of the 'Buck Stopper lesson' published this week on Equus Online University!
Current students log in here: www.montyrobertsuniversity.com
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HORSE SENSE IN ORGANIZATIONS
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What Horses Can Teach Companies About Employee Engagement
A group of corporate employees stood with rapt attention as they watched Horse Whisperer and New York Times Best Selling Author Monty Roberts help a young horse learn to trust him. The Santa Barbara group had come to understand the power of trust; collaboration and shared communication could be learned from Robert's method of gentling horses.
"We think that the story of Monty's discoveries-that finding strengths, developing support and using encouragement offer great case studies for organizations needing to fully engage their employees," explained session facilitator Dr. Susan Cain.
The group watched Roberts' signature training event-the Join-Up�. "Monty Roberts discovered that horses are flight animals, and use gestures to communicate, instead of sound. Monty uses a round pen to have a kind of conversation with a horse using gestures.
First, he brings a horse into the round pen and affirms him by giving him a gentle rub. Then he uses gestures to ask the horse to run away-or flee. The horse waits to slow down and soon gestures to the human, asking to "Join Up". This is the essential conversation, and it is packed with teachable moments." Cain stated.
Recently, the Santa Barbara corporate group also completed team-building exercises that allowed them to surface and discuss their own trust and collaboration issues. They completed a facilitated session that ended with an action planning session.
Corporations that come to learning events at Robert's Flag Is Up Farms are also treated to a full barbecue cookout. For information about corporate events and training, contact Debbie Roberts-Loucks at debbie@montyroberts.com, or visit http://www.montyroberts.com/ab_about_monty_calendar/inspired-retreats-professional-development-training/.
Corporate group at Monty and Pat Roberts' hacienda overlooking Flag Is Up Farms
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KEEP IN TOUCH
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Let us know what you are looking for in content from these emails. Send your comments and requests to askmonty@montyroberts.com.
Never miss an e-mail from Monty: To ensure you receive this email in the future, add askmonty@montyroberts.com to your list of approved senders or select the Add/Save to Address Book function in your email browser and follow the appropriate instructions.
Sincerely,
Monty Roberts
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Monty's Principles
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Incredibly Wise
I've been listening to your audiobook, The Man Who Listens to Horses, that you made in the 90's - mostly a biographical production. It has touched my heart and I just wanted to say that I appreciate the
depth of perseverance, dedication and determination that it took you throughout your life and your achievement to put your thoughts and feelings into such a revealing and stirring illustration of your life.
My fondest wish would be to tell you in person, although I did meet you at the Equitana in Louisville 10+, but had no knowledge of the trauma that you had endured at that time. Your boundless forgiveness and intimate horse-speak, Equus, relishes your Cherokee and Scottish heritage. I knew that day that you were an incredibly wise person, as you were quiet and reserved, but genuinely warm and pleasant. I have treasured our photo.
Have a wonderful weekend with your richest treasures - your family - humankind and horsekind.
Kindest regards,
Robin Cooper
Johnson City, TN
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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS MONTY?
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"Hi, I'm a fan of Monty! I always wanted to meet him, I admire him for the way it treats the horses, I love horses too, I'm from Brazil, and my dream is to meet you! I read the book "The Man Who Listens to Horses" and I'm simply blown away! Hug!" Paula Garcia
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Winning Prize:
Ride With Monty
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Here is an exceptional opportunity for those of you in the USA!
By becoming a member of ACTHA you have a chance to win an all-expense paid trip, airfare included, to Monty's farm and the opportunity to saddle up with Monty. Winners will be whisked away to California and will be treated to an equine experience they will never forget! Register with ACTHA to enter this incredible prize drawing: www.actha.us/register
Download the flyer here:
http://www.montyroberts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/saddle-up-with-Monty.pdf
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Monty on HRTV
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 Watch Monty on HRTV Tuesdays at 6:00 PM ET. Special Offer for Monty Roberts' Fans! First month FREE of HRTV.com when you subscribe now! Just use the promo code MR13 when you sign up!Please check local TV directories for your time and channel or the HRTV website where times are in Eastern Standard Time:
http://www.hrtv.com/MontyRobertsShow/
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Horse & Country in the UK
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Monty's Challenge
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I read on Facebook that you are in France and my heart leaped! We very much need your concepts here and I wonder what you are participating in. What is a Starting Gate issue? Where can I learn more about listening to my horse?
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| Photo Credits |
Christopher Dydyk
Dan Quinajon
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