Isn't there a saying about punching a horse if it tries something like that? I dunno.. I feel like I may be getting my metaphors mixed up with blazing saddles and Mongo doing it.

Yeah, I should have a least slapped him but I was too shocked to do anything but run away :/

Catwoman !!!!

ZTell the horse to defend thy self

Yipes! I'm glad you didn't get worse than bruise out of it, but horses can be awfully scary sometimes. I've never been bitten by one, but I've been kicked plenty of times.

Good for you for volunteering to help with horses who have been mistreated, though. That's something that hits pretty close to home for me, since the horse I had as a kid was abused by the people who owned him before I did and that sort of thing infuriates me to no end. I hope it all goes well for you, and that not all of them are as temperamental as this last one. And that if you have to deal with him again, he calms down soon.

I would have popped him sharply (but gently) with my elbow! Serves him right for being rude. I did that to an unruly mare who used to bite anyone leading her during a trot, and she listened first thing. No troubles, and boy were we a good team after that.

I wish I had thought to punish him, I was too shocked and just got away from him

You got to be careful since abused animals are not always nice

Ouch >< Lucky you had those layers!
And it's seriously awesome that you volunteer at a rehab ranch, I would loooove to do that someday. <3 Must seem like horse heaven to them tbh xD

If a horse ever does that all you have to do is pop him either on the nose or neck (not too hard but enough to get his attention)
With him being newly gelded and rescued that could have something to do with it too so just be careful <3

I got bit 3 times myself. One of those times was right on my chest, left a nasty bruise and it hurt for weeks!

Anyway, please be more careful. While they may be blunt, their teeth can still do some serious damage. And whoever told you to go punch a horse in retaliation, don't listen to them because hitting will only lead to more animosity from the horse. There are other ways to discourage bad behaviors without using physical punishments.

Ouchie! Was his name Plops by chance?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FaRl_h2G5M

I hope your bruise feels better soon! <3

happened to me too... but it was more of a love bite.... left a big + shaped bruise X3

Im sure alot of people got the wrong idea when they read that title lol

Considering that you're working for a rescue organization, and these are animals that have already been mistreated by humans, I wouldn't take the advice of those telling you to discipline the horse physically.

If someone were to see you disciplining the horse physically, it would likely mean you being banished from the organization, and/or legal consequences.

Best thing to do would be to talk with someone at the organization who has horse-handling experience, and can inform you as to the organization's official policies and expectations for dealing with unruly and/or dangerous animals.

owch! well, looks like you're one tasty kitten, then...

some may be right, slappign the horse might have been not helpful.

I only got bit once, and it was more an accident, as I guess the horse didn't want to close his teeth around my knee, but instead before it. we both were startled for this. after a few seconds I slapped him on the butt. a while later we were still buddies, though...
around that time I got a horse assigned for riding lessons which was a kind of "don't touch me" flower. after a while using riding crop and everything I went a different way and came in a hour early, stood in his box, and watched him munch away, scritching spots, letting myself be sniffed, and everything. and when I wanted to leave to grab saddle and stuff, he gently pressed the soft spot behind the corner of his mouth against my cheek from behind, and stopped me right in my tracks. felt so sweet I nearly wept!
after that we were like, best friends, I never needed the crop again, pacing the horse with clicks and body weight shift alone. :)
a while later someone bought him from the riding club. later I went out of funds and motivation, and eventually left the club for good. :/

great to hear you're volunteering. animal rescues are usually short on funds, so every hand helping makes a difference. :)

I've been stepped on a few times. No biggie. Even fell off a horse because the saddle loosened up and down the side I went.

https://youtu.be/bVpypcLbbIE?t=54

Sorry to hear about that incident, but good for you to be volunteering in such a manner. I hope that your injury heals quickly and without complication.

Get well soon.
I always wear leather when around horses for this reason.
Also I can point to it and tell them 'you're next if you keep that up'