Instructions
Attack the problem immediately. Behavior problems in horses tend to worsen as time passes. Horses become accustomed to new behavior, and it can soon become the norm, rather than a deviation from acceptable behavior. Additionally, horses observe their peers, particularly if the misbehaving horse is a dominant horse.
Ignore bad habits designed to get your attention. Many horses will paw if they are becoming impatient about getting fed. If you reward this behavior, you reinforce it. For example, if a horse is pawing to be fed before other horses, feed that horse last until the negative behavior ceases.
Reward positive behavior. For example, when commanding a fidgety horse to remain still, reward the horse with a treat when it obeys. Positive reinforcement is an effective way to promote good behavior.
Punish negative behaviors. Many animal lovers are uncomfortable punishing horses for bad behavior, but most horse trainers use some form of negative reinforcement. Some horse owners use shock collars. These collars send electric current to the horse to create discomfort when it behaves badly.
How to Break a Bad Habit With Horses
Breaking a horse's bad habits can be a time consuming and labor-intensive process. It is important to address unacceptable behavior quickly. If one horse exhibits bad habits, other horses may imitate, causing the problem to spread. Common bad habits in horses include pawing at the ground with one of the front hoofs; nipping at a trainer or rider; and cribbing, which is grabbing and pulling at solid, inanimate objects with their teeth.