Re: [DrivingPairs:6682] Abridged summary of drivingpairs@googlegroups.com - 1 update in 1 topic

[kathy robertson]

What we have found with the biting horse, almost always the more submissive of the two, is that their partner is the source of trouble.  The "bitten" horse is not moving smoothly, too fast or too slow, not doing their share of the work.  The biting horse has always had a "reason" for their biting.  Driver then needs to fix the issue to allow the biter to relax, do their job in comfort.

We had one Pair, whom we eventually muzzled the biting horse on.  She really DID have a reason to be angry with her partner the prancer, long walker, then walking too slow, trying too hard or "helping driver", endless reasons.  The muzzle removed danger of partner over reacting with a true bite.  As others said, it might be almost impossible to "catch them in the act of biting" to correct the problem.  With the muzzle on, the horse just slobbered on the other horse's neck, no bite possible.   Muzzle was soft, black, easy to breathe thru, get drinks in Vet Check at the CDEs.  Didn't interfere with bit or rein action.  She just could not open her mouth enough to get a bite. 

Yes we did get after the problem horse, however she was so varied in the things she did, it was hard to keep her corrected to suit her biting partner for long!  You learn from such horses, but you can't always make them perfect or even a lot better in behavior during work.  We drove these two for a number of years, had a lot of fun with them, they would always give you 110% when asked,.  But the one just was always trying to help people, anticipating, really smart so that she kept you on your toes as a Multiples Driver.  She got a lot better in our time of using her, but still did "her thing" to frustrate her partner.  Fearless Lead horse in all situations, went where you asked, plenty of other great qualities, so we used her a lot over the years.  But her pair partner always had the muzzle to prevent true biting from frustration. 

Kathy Robertson

On Friday, May 27, 2016 11:21 AM, "drivin...@googlegroups.com" <drivin...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

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• biting in the pair - 1 Update

biting in the pair

"Peter & Rachel" <prel...@shaw.ca>: May 26 09:54AM -0700 Yes I've often heard (and it was so in my case too) that the subordinate horse at home will become the biter when they're working. It's like they realize this is their only chance to get a shot in ...more

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