Undesirable behaviors in horses and ponies are often called vices, bad habits, problems, or behavioral issues.
Specific Terms
Cribbing: Biting and pulling on objects with a sucking sound.
Weaving: Rhythmically shifting weight back and forth.
Wood Chewing: Biting wood or hard objects.
Tail Rubbing: Excessive rubbing of the tail.
Stall Kicking: Kicking stall walls or doors.
Biting: Biting people, horses, or objects.
Rearing: Lifting front legs off the ground.
Bucking: Jumping with an arched back.
Bolting: Running away suddenly.
Head Tossing: Tossing the head back and forth.
Pawing: Stamping feet.
Spooking: Reacting with fear or nervousness.
These behaviors may stem from stress, boredom, training errors, or medical conditions. Addressing the root cause is key to helping your horse.