HUGE leading problems

[Wulfie]

Okay. I am a relatively new horse owner, though I have been riding at schools for several years. I now have a five-year-old Cob gelding, standing at 15.3 hh, and has built a lot of muscle do the uphill work I have been doing with him. However, he has become increasingly stubborn and hard to lead. Catching is no problem, but as soon as you try to lead, he doesn't budge, and he also tends to tank off in some random direction, usually winding up with me on the ground or watching him. I need someway to control him, but obviously not have to physically fight him. Any ideas? It's really strange, since as soon as the tack is on, he doesn't buck or spook or try to barge off at all.

[SarahC]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear your having problems, my last boy was a nightmare to lead too.

I can't comment on why he may be doing these things, but I would suggest a controller headcollar...the type that has rings and the lead rope and headcollar are all one section. If the horse pulls against you or tries to bolt, it tightens at specific points. It worked really really well for my boy. Only had to use it for a few months, then switched back to a normal headcollar with no problems.
It does sound pretty horrific, but it isn't really...its just a form of release and reward and the headcollars are made of nice soft material.

I would also say, make sure you are wearing good strong gloves and your riding hat for safety's sake.

Good luck

S

[Yann]

Not leading politely indicates a fundamental lack of respect for the handler on the part of the horse. If you can sort that, a lot of other things may well improve as well. A pressure halter is a good idea but you do need to make sure you understand how it works and release instantly once the horse is behaving. Doing groundwork with your horse (backing up, stopping and coming forward) will help tremendously in this respect as well. The exercises in Perfect Manners by Kelly Marks are as good a place as any to start.

[angelfben]

I would highly recommend a MR Dually Headcollar to help you deal with this, do loads of groundwork with it beforehand establishing respect and always lead in a lunge-line rather than a short lead rope so that you have more control and a greater chance of keeping hold of your horse if he tanks off.

Another trick I use on my horses when they were being very bolshy and bargy is lead with your elbow nearest the horse just inf ront of their chest, if they try and barge past you or tank off bring your hand firmly back and towards you to stop them getting any leverage and nudge them hard in the chest with your elbow. If they try and tank off you can brace your arm against their chest or neck so that they are pulling against themselves and a good poke in the chest usually helps put them back in their place if they're being ignorant.

Good Luck :)

[Yann]

A really good exercise is to get them leading and then keep stopping. At first the horse will try to walk past or through you. If you keep firmly but politely moving them back into place beside / behind you the penny will eventually drop and they will start to concentrate on your movements, eventually stopping when you do. I'd recommend a dually halter too, though some people prefer the parelli / horsemans rope type halter.

[welshcoblady1]

this problem is easily solved ,pop on a working pressure halter ,and go to a safe place to work ,lead him and if he pulls dont try to stop him just let him go to the end of the working rope and the end of the rope will apply pressure from the knots on the halter and he will end up facing you but the halter pressure would have stopped because he stopped and thats his reward.
the thing is if you pull this applies pressure and horses ar into pressure animals ,they lean in to pressure.
asoon as he goes to pull you stop walking he keeps going untill he meets the end of the rope the halter feels uncomfortable whilst he is pulling so to move away from the pressure he turns and stops the pressure is gone .he has to find the answer to the pressure release and that is not to lean in to it .
now lead him with him by your side apply no pressure whilst walking nicley but if he even thinks of pulling just apply a little pressure on the halter this feels uncomfortable ,not painfull ,he walks nicley the pressure does not return .
even large horse who have pulled for years i have found to think differently
with the working halter once they find the answer pressure and release they do it them selves just be carefull not to miss a cue and do realease at that point if the horse has answered correctly .
best wishes .

[welshcoblady1]

this problem is easily solved ,pop on a working pressure halter ,and go to a safe place to work ,lead him and if he pulls dont try to stop him just let him go to the end of the working rope and the end of the rope will apply pressure from the knots on the halter and he will end up facing you but the halter pressure would have stopped because he stopped and thats his reward.
the thing is if you pull this applies pressure and horses are into pressure animals ,they lean in to pressure.
asoon as he goes to pull you stop walking he keeps going untill he meets the end of the rope the halter feels uncomfortable whilst he is pulling so to move away from the pressure he turns and stops the pressure is gone .he has to find the answer to the pressure release and that is not to lean in to it .
now lead him with him by your side apply no pressure whilst walking nicley but if he even thinks of pulling just apply a little pressure on the halter this feels uncomfortable ,not painfull ,he walks nicley the pressure does not return .
even large horse who have pulled for years i have found to think differently
with the working halter once they find the answer pressure and release they do it them selves just be carefull not to miss a cue and do realease at that point if the horse has answered correctly .
best wishes .