few questions

[Tuscan Dream]

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[Montana]

Hi Tuscan Dream

My horse is also on box rest with 2 x ten minute walks - so I sympathise!

Just start with the basics of establishing boundaries for him.

I would also recommend that you do this work in a halter (not a pressure one, just a standard rope one, much preferably with a 12 foot rope.)
With a bridle on, not only do your signals get confused, but he'll be too close to you and you may end up hurting him unintentionally.

I'd suggest taking him for a walk somewhere he's comfortable. Leave slack in the rope of an arms length, and ask him to move as you walk enough to take the slack out of the rope a little. You don't want him moving off the second you do, or he's already on top of you before you get started. Pressure = walk, slack = maintain what he's doing (in this situation) So as soon as he's walking, keep the slack in the rope. If he starts to crowd you, assume a dominant position - turn to face him, stand square, and raise your arm if you need to stop him coming over the top of you.

If he needs to be backed up, then step towards him, taking some of the slack out of the rope upwards towards his chest. You could use a hiss noise or something similar to back this up. The minute he steps back into the correct place (ie and arm's length away, or whatever you have chosen), then get soft, take pressure off the rope, relax your posture, shoulders etc. Turn and walk off, asking him to follow as you as you take the slack out of the rope.

Vary this work in deliberately walking very slowly, then picking up speed, then stopping, and mixing this all up, so he starts looking to you for guidance, as he's never quite sure what you're going to ask next. Take note of how well he mirrors the way you move, try to have him creep along with you as you walk really slowly, and always maintaining the correct distance from you.

If he's really set in his ways, it'll take a lot of undoing. Once he gets it though, you'll find he's a lot happier and more relaxed about being handled. Progress to asking him to stand quietly on a slack rope the same distance away from you. Remember to correct him each time he steps into your space. If he's really determined about crowding, then you can get bigger to match his response.

I find backing by far the most effective tool in the box. Back him as far as you need to until he stops trying to come forward over you. Just remember this is not a punishment. I've seen people get really cross and emotional with their horses as they try this kind of correction, and it inevitably fails. The worst thing you can do is to attribute human qualities to this kind of thing ('oh, he's just being awkward, he's trying to upset me' etc) He's just working through the incorrect answers before he can finally understand what it is you're asking. If you keep presenting the same information to him calmly and consistently, it'll click into place for him.

It's really difficult to describe this kind of thing, so I hope I haven't confused you I've been lucky enough to take part in quite a few clinics where I've worked on this kind of thing, and also seen it work with a lot of other people's horses too, but it is one of those things that's easier to understand when you're watching it done.:rolleyes: :D

[jenren!!]

Dont use a bridle, its almost working against NH methods. Ill agree with Montana i think she's just about covered everything :).

[Kate F.]

Great post, Montanta!:)

I agree with the others - a bridle is much too dangerous for a horse that can be pushy and grumpy - you're right under their feet and you don't have room to create your "personal space" with him. Use a rope halter and 4 metre lead rope - much safer for you and much easier to understand for him.

[Crystal Fire]

I agree with everyone else about the bridle. If you are going to do this you need to use the right tools for the job.
Where are you? Can you go to a clinic to get some ideas on how to start? Or get a good NH trainer out for one session to help you get started?

[jinglejoys]

Build him a bomb proofing obsticle coarse,it'll make him think,lots of poles,gates,bridge L and U shaped labyrinths etc:)

[Tuscan Dream]

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[Crystal Fire]

Well, as he's on box rest it's understandable that he's feeling a bit fiesty and doesn't really want to do calm stuff. You could do stretches, helping him to understand with a tiny bit of carrot. Get him to flex his neck softly round to each side, and down between his knees (building this up in tiny stages). If I was sure he would keep calm then I'd longline him, working at very low energy, fairly close to his body, and at a walk. But if he's likely to start leaping about then I wouldn't even consider it.
It may be hard to halt him because he has a lot of suppressed energy because of his confinement. Rather than getting into a battle with him I'd be inclined to just get through this in the way that keeps you both happy, safe and as relaxed as you can be. Then think about work when it's safe for him to be able to move his feet if he needs to.

[Crystal Fire]

Just had another idea. How about getting a book or video on equine massage and giving his muscles some help and him a bit of pampering that way? You say he's rude and grumpy in the stable. If you start giving him lovely massages there that could change :)