Leading Problems

[moli]

Hi,

Does anyone have any ideas on dealing with a horse who is difficult to lead. She is a new horse and has only started doing this when I moved her with her friends to a new yard last week. When I bring her in from the field she is ok but once she has been fed, groomed etc and I am leading her back she runs away every time.

This has now become a habit that I am struggling to break. I am not scared of her but as my hands are all cut I end up having to let her go when she does pull.

Any advice appreciated.

[Lancashire Lass]

Is she out 24/7? When you say 'running away', is she running away to get back to the yard or running away from YOU to get back to the field?

I would say if it's the latter that she has bonded extremely well with her field pals and although she's quite willing to come in from the field with no problems, I would say that she knows she's going to be fed and groomed and pampered!!

When your then going back to the field, she just can't wait to get back in there and wants to get there NOW!!!!

I would suggest that you invest in a headcollar that is going to help the situation. I have a 'Dually' headcollar from the Monty Roberts range. It's an excellent training aid for just this kind of thing (and others).

If you want to know where to get one from, let me know. I do know that they offer them on the IH (intelligent hormanship) website. Hope I've helped. Jx

[moli]

Thanks for the advice.

She is now turned out 24/7 and usually comes in with her friends as myself and my friend usually feed together. I couldn't catch her at the old yard and now she is keen to come in so I don't know if she's just trying her luck.

She just pulls away from me and walks away. I can walk up and get her no problem although she walks away a couple of times and then relents. I thought it was maybe because there are a couple of bullies in the field but she is now grazing beside them. The last time she pulled me across the yard and stopped at the gate.

I don't want to use a be nice headcollar as I don't feel experienced enough and I am getting a lesson on the ground tomorrow night but I thought it would be interesting to hear others advice. Where would I get a 'dually' just in case.
Thanks, moli

[Lancashire Lass]

Hi Moli,

You can get one from the IH website, the address is
http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk

Go into their "Discussion Group" and ask them as well. I've always found their advice on there to be very sound. They look at things in a 'bigger picture' and not just the initial problem.

Good luck with your 'on the ground' lesson tomorrow night and please.... don't lose patience with her, there is usually always a good reason for everything - but it may just take a little time to work it out!! OK?

Keep me informed on your progress. Jx

[Outrider]

First and foremost, WEAR GLOVES! I don't do any type of work with a horse, and that includes leading, without gloves on. That is a rope burn waiting to happen, as you have already found out. If you don't wear gloves, you will never solve this problem, as the horse already knows just how much she has to pull to get away from you.

Saying that, and with gloves on, hold the lead in your right hand near the bull clip and in the left hold the remainder of the rope with it around your hips. Don't tie it or loop it, just once around the backside. As you are leading, as soon as you feel the horse start to move, stop and turn the horse in a cirlce. If she pulls backwards, pop her on the rump with the end of the lead. As you complete the circle, walk off in the direction you were going with a stern WALK command. If she tries it again, do the same thing. She will soon learn that she can't do this kind of behavior and get away with it. But you have to wear gloves! Happy Trails!

[fionahogg]

Hi Moli. If you don't feel experienced enough to use a pressure halter of any kind then I expect you are right in thinking that you shouldn't use one. These tools have to be used with care and the whole purpose of them is positive and negative reinforcement. I.e. if the horse resists to pressure then the pressure will stay (therefore making the horse uncomfortable) and then as soon as he moves into the pressure it is released (and so he is comfortable again). He will soon learn what he is supposed to do when pressure is applied, but if the pressure is not released as soon as he moves into it, he won't understand when he has done something good.
I hope your groundwork lesson goes well and helps some. Groundwork is an excellent way of encouraging a stronger bond between you to develop, so good luck and have fun!

Fiona.

[clip-clop-oops-crash]

the first thing really is u should try 'joining up' with him (monty roberts) b/c even though he is well behaved in other respects by establishing a more obvious 'dominant' position it shouldnt even occur 2 him 2 try + drag u where he wants 2 go, otherwise though - i have a lot of trouble with my stallions being like this, especially if any of the mares r in season + they get all anxious about being away from the herd :rolleyes: 2 fo the most important things 2 do r first of all , already mentioned, wear gloves + also lead in a lunge line instead of a lead rope b/c this means that u can distance yourself from the horse without losing control, basically the horse needs 2 learn some respect so (if its safe 2) lead him outg in a bridle + with a whip as, even without use, this will instantly give u more authority. also dont ever let him assume - this makes him think he knows what hes doing so he knows best - lead him 2 the fields in tack then mount at the gate + ride him back 2 the yard for example, or tie him up near the field, groom him + then take him back up 2 the yard etc. also let him c that if he tries 2 play u up it is not beneficial 2 him so the minute he begins 2 barge u around turn him in a circle or insist that he stands then walks on quietly. you say that u r not scared of your horse - now u just have 2 let him know that :)

[clip-clop-oops-crash]

oops sorry :eek: i just realised i called your mare 'he' through all of that :o

[fionahogg]

If you can buy a copy of this months' Horse and Rider magazine I suggest you do so because there is a free booklet with it by Kelly Marks about leading and loading. I thought it was helpful.

[Gwenllian]

Outrider is right about the gloves, even though I hate wearing them.I was letting Rosie back out into the field last night after worming her and William, and I was just taking off her headcollar.Just as I put my hand into the buckle to unfasten, I noticed she was staring up at something.I turned and looked up at what she was staring at(in case it was something that was going to spook her) it was my husband on the top of the sileage pit throwing tyres off.He usually warns me , but he didn't see me this time, and as he threw a tyre off, Rosie took off for places unknown!! Boy, does my little finger smart today, after being burnt by the nylon headcollar?? It quite simply wouldn't if I'd had gloves on, so it's worth trying to find a pair you can live with, even if you don't actually LIKE them.

[danny the friesian]

try putting the lead rope throght the rings of her headcollar and through her mouth like a bridle give it a short sharp pull as she goes to go, it should soon put manners on her, and wear gloves, make sure you always turn her to the gate before giving her ,her freedom goodluck