Calm, productive way to lead pushy horses

[ems]

When you lead a horse out, does it try to barge in front of you or push you aside, so that you feel you have no control. Here's what to do:-

1. Firstly just lead the horse out normally, making sure you reward him if he's being good.
2. If he starts to barge in front however, shake the leadrop slack (the part of leadrope between you hand and the headcollar) in front of him and stand still, then back him up so he his to the level side of you.
3. Then start again, walking calmly and firmly. If he starts to barge, once again shake the slack of the leadrope, back him up and begin again. Reward any good progress/behaviour.

All of this will help teach your horse to not 'invade' your personal space, and respect you and your space more. Try this exercise in a ring in any spare time you have, not just the time you have to lead him out of his stable.

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Thats such a great idea!!!! Thanks for telling all of us ems!! Do you suppose that it would be possible to do that with a lesson horse too? Theres a horse at my barn that doesn't want to be led, but when you finally do get him walking, he walks really fast, practically trotting.

Thanks again for that! :)

[KarinUS]

if you want to train a horse that's not your own (lesson horse) I think it would be important to ask the owner how he/she would like you to approach that.
It's important in animal training to be consistent for best results. Why don't you ask your trainer what he/she thinks you should do to improve the behavior of your lesson horse.
I am glad Ems idea worked so well for her own horse. :)

It did however remind me of a story in Mark Rashid's book of a horse that did not respond well to the repeated lead training and lead shaking, so I assume it does not work best for ALL horses.

[Piaffe]

Not too sure about this one - wouldn't work on several horses I know and I would worry about them becoming head shy - my friends horse is already nervous of his headcollar due to someone else getting him in and shaking the thing at him!

I think if your horse doesn't respect you when you lead him/her, you need to go back to basics. Lots of in hand work.

But if it works for you, I guess continue with it - but totally agree with KarinUS, do ask the horses owner before starting ANY training, however small.

Has anyone else tried this and found it successful?

[little shibaz]

i know this is a method that clint anderson uses a lot and apparently he gets good results with it. it doesn't make the horse head shy because all it's doing is making the horse uncomfortable to just stand there when you shake the lead, so it automatically backs up. once its starts to back up you should drop the rope as a reward. then give the horse a few seconds and do it again. eventually you'll be able to get your horse to back away from you just by pointing at him. this is a really good exercise to get your horse to respect your personal space just like ems said.

[tasha]

If I did this to Dipity, she would say "S*d off!" and be halfway up the field. I find putting you elbow in the horse's chest not only helps back them up, but they are pulling against themselves so can't win.

I imagine it would make them headshy too.

[ems]

Thanks for all your comments.

About the headshy bit - the idea is not to shake the leadrope infront of the horse's face, but more by the chest.

Another tip for horses who try to run away with you - when they try to run (walk fast or trot) turn them in a circle around you and then stop them beside you, and start again. This should help to teach your horse that by running away, he will get nowhere. This way you get him to want to do what you want to do!

I do understand that all horses are different, so choose a method that you feel is right. Hope all of this helps!

Ems xx

[tasha]

I dont get the shaking the slack bit-you said at first shake the bit between your hand and the headcollar. The you say to do it near the horse's chest. If you shake the slack btwn the hand and the headcollar, no matter where you shake it, it is still going to jangle the headcollar and scare the horse. Maybe it would work for some, but the real bargers (like Dipity) aint gonna pay a blind bit of notice, and any slightly nervous horses are going to get headshy.

[Kerry's Partner!!]

Ems, did you just suddenly discover this or is your technique something you learned from somewhere else??

Tasha, the elbow in the chest does work I would agree but I think what the others are talking about is a means to achieve the same (or a better) result without causing discomfort. For example, if someone put their elbow in my chest I would certainly move back.

[ems]

I wish I had made it up myself! No, its a technique I have learnt from someone else.

[tasha]

Originally posted by Kerry's Partner!!
Tasha, the elbow in the chest does work I would agree but I think what the others are talking about is a means to achieve the same (or a better) result without causing discomfort. For example, if someone put their elbow in my chest I would certainly move back.

Surely shaking the headcollar about causes discomfort??

[Kerry's Partner!!]

Thanks for your reply. I don't shake the headcollar - I agree this would cause discomfort. I think you must be referring to Ems original post - but Ems meant (if my interpretation is correct) shake the rope - i.e. the rope not the headcollar.