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I can only agree to a certain extent.  Yes, she gave a verbal  
warning, but this isn't any more sufficient than tying a red ribbon  
around the tail of a horse that actively tries to kick other horses,  
even if they have to back up 10 feet to do it.  That kind of warning  
is only sufficient in the "normal" case of a horse snapping at  
another one when it gets within a few feet.

This horse was already in a "group" with another horse - the one  
Susan was riding with.  That sends a message to other people that the  
horse is moderately well socialized.   Yes, the owner said "she  
bites".  I will agree that a better choice would have been to go on  
the other side -- assuming there was room.   However, the owner of  
that horse still had a responsibility to:
   a) clarify the situation -- "Excuse me, you are too close".
   b) try to avoid a problem -- back the horse off while clarifying  
the situation
   c) acknowledge that the horse has a problem
   d) reprimand the horse if it tries to bite  (which means paying  
enough attention to try and catch an attempt before it succeeds)

It is the last two that sends up warning flags to me in this case --  
the owner got defensive and angry, and didn't reprimand the horse at  
all.  This says to me that the owner is in serious denial about the  
severity of the problem, in which case, she isn't likely to take any  
preventive steps AT ALL.


On Jan 28, 2008, at 1:04 PM, recklessheartranch@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I'm afraid I disagree somewhat with the majority on this matter.
>
> When I'm trying to visualize the picture, I see the (soon to be) 
> biting horse on one side, another horse/rider (the OP's friends)on  
> the other side. All are eating. Right there is a red flag -- horses  
> are EATING.
>
> Then the OP and her horse came up and put herself in the middle.  
> The owner said "Be careful, she bites," but the OP still put  
> herself in the middle. Then she turns herself away (exposing her  
> side)...basically turning her back on a strange horse who she has  
> just been told BITES AND is eating.
>
> Gosh, guys...
>
> Bites means...BITES! Rather than mull over exactly what the mare  
> bites and when, I would have simply taken my horse on the other  
> side or to another location entirely.
>
> Of course, the owner of the mare should have taken HER mare away  
> when someone ignored her warning, and I suspect she will do so in  
> the future.


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