When I first started teaching horses to stand politely for treats, nobody warned me about the hiccups that might pop up—especially once your horse is doing well and then something changes. Even seasoned horses can slip back into mugging-like behaviors when they’re excited, bored, or a bit confused. Just like people occasionally forget to say “please,” horses may forget their treat-taking manners, especially if the environment changes or they aren’t 100% sure what you want in that moment. A few little slip-ups aren’t the end of the world, but if they start happening more often, that’s your cue to give your horse (and yourself) a quick review session.
Below are the most common problems you might run into—some from earlier modules, plus a few extras like pawing, wiggling, and nose bumping—and how to fix them.
1. Mugging (Shoving Nose Toward Treats or Your Pouch)
Why It Happens
The horse has learned that nosing pockets or treat pouches sometimes works.
They’re excited, hungry, or not sure what else to do to earn the snack.
How to Fix
Ignore Mild Nudges: If they just nudge gently, don’t hand over a treat. Instead, wait for them to straighten their head in front, then click/“Yes!” and treat. Turn your body away from the horse until they put their head in front. Resist the urge to push your horse’s head away.
Check Your Duration Training: If you’re asking the horse to wait too long between clicks early on, they may get frustrated and try mugging.
Protective Contact: If the mugging intensifies, use a fence or door for a bit. Reward the horse only when it backs away from the barrier.
2. Pawing or Restlessness
Why It Happens
The horse is frustrated from not being clicked or rewarded often enough.
They’re feeling anxious about the environment—too many distractions or not enough space to relax.
How to Fix
Click More Frequently: Don’t wait too long between rewards. Let the horse succeed at shorter intervals.
Change the Setting: Move to a calmer spot or one with fewer distractions, so the horse can concentrate.
Short Sessions: Keep each session to no more than 10 reps and give the horse breaks to decompress.
3. Head in Front but Wiggling or Bobbing
Why It Happens
The horse is “almost” there but can’t quite figure out that you need total stillness.
They’re trying various micro-movements to see which one will earn the click.
How to Fix
Precision Timing: Mark (“Yes!”) the instant the head is still, even if it’s only for a second.
Reward Incrementally: Catch tiny moments of genuine stillness, then build on those.
Limit Distractions: If the horse is wiggling from nerves, consider a quieter environment or fewer stimuli.
4. Nose Bumping
Why It Happens
Sometimes the horse is just trying to get your attention: “Hey, I’m over here waiting for my treat!”
If it’s paired with pinned ears, they might be getting irritated or impatient.
It can also happen if you’re chatting with a friend during training and the horse is like, “Don’t forget me!”
How to Fix
Stay Focused: If you start talking and ignore your horse, they might nudge to pull you back in. Finish your conversation, or pause training until you can give them full attention.
Ignore Gentle Nudges: Don’t reward them by giving a treat right away. Wait for the head to go back to that forward, polite position.
Check Attitude: If ears are pinned or the bump is forceful, it might be time for a break or protective contact until the horse’s mood improves.
5. Overly Excited or “Over Threshold”
Why It Happens
The horse is so jazzed about treats (or environment) they can’t think straight. They might even be on the verge of spooking or kicking.
High-value treats can send some horses into overdrive.
How to Fix
End or Pause the Session: If the horse is truly over threshold, wrap it up for the day or move them somewhere they can calm down.
Lower-Value Treats: Switch from sugary or extra-delicious treats to plain hay pellets.
Short, Calm Sessions: Keep the vibe chill; if you see signs of building tension, break sooner rather than later.
6. Grabbing Treats with Teeth
Why It Happens
The horse lunges for the treat if you move your hand away too soon or too fast.
They’re overly excited or have been accidentally reinforced for snatching in the past.
How to Fix
Stay Steady: Mark, pause, and slowly present the treat on a flat palm. Take slow breaths and relax you own energy.
Be more specific on your timing: Click/”yes” when the horse’s lips touch your hand instead of their teeth
Check Your Timing: Make sure you’re not inadvertently making the horse chase the treat by moving it around right when they reach.
7. Horse Bites at the Treat Pouch
Why It Happens
They see (and smell) the treat stash and think, “Maybe if I grab it, I’ll get food!”
You might have given the treat too slowly in the past, so the horse is trying to speed things up on their own.
How to Fix
Move the Pouch: Put it behind your back or on the other hip, out of the horse’s line of sight.
Protective Contact: If the biting becomes more than a nibble, a few sessions behind a fence can prevent them from rehearsing the behavior.
Click for Ignoring the Pouch: If you notice the horse not going for the pouch, mark and treat to reinforce that they get rewarded for ignoring it.
8. Backsliding Under Distraction
Why It Happens
The horse is fine in a calm environment but “forgets” everything when the barn gets busy or something unexpected happens.
They haven’t fully generalized the behavior to all situations.
How to Fix
Gradual Exposure: Introduce mild distractions and reward for maintaining head-forward.
Return to Basics: If they really struggle, use protective contact.
Review: Train more often with few or no distractions.
Final Thoughts
Whether your horse is new to “Stand Still Beside Me” or has been doing it for years, the occasional slip happens. What matters is how quickly you notice and address it. If the horse starts getting pushy or anxious, that’s your sign to check if you’re clicking often enough, if the environment is calm, or if you need a barrier. By understanding why each problem arises and knowing the steps to fix it, you’ll keep your “no mugging” skills fresh and your horse’s manners on point—ensuring that treat-giving remains a safe, positive experience for everyone involved.
© Mary Kay Hasseman
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