Why Do Horses Bite?

Biting is a sign of aggression and can be dangerous for the horse owner, other horses and other animals. Horses are animals of prey and instinctively timid. Biting, kicking, and running are the horse's only methods of defense. The easiest way to stop a horse from biting is to find the cause of this behavior and cure it. Understanding your horse can help you prevent aggressive behavior.

  1. Boredom

    • A horse that is bored may bite you or another animal to get attention. Young colts will bite each other to stimulate play. Although this may not be meant to hurt, it can be very dangerous. A horse investigates its surroundings with its mouth. If you have food in your pockets or a stranger is nearby the horse may nip. Avoid carrying treats in your pockets and rewarding play nips. Take your horse out for exercise regularly.

    Discomfort

    • When your horse is in physical pain it may bite, especially if there is a problem in its mouth. Evaluate your horse's physical condition to see if it's limping, favoring any particular body part or if there has been an external injury. A riding or walking harness that is too tight can also cause discomfort.

    Stress

    • A horse that is scared or overwhelmed may bite. New animals or people around the horse or changes in location may cause stress on the horse. Loud noises and fast moving objects easily agitate horses. Sudden movements or attacks can make horses feel threatened. Changes in feed or housing construction can also cause stress on the horse.

    Discipline

    • Horses that have not been disciplined properly will continue to bite if they have gotten away with it previously. Don't reward your horse for biting. If your horse bites while administering feed, take the feed away. Try again until your horse understands it will not get fed if it bites. Return your horse to its stall if it bites unexpectedly.