2yo being difficult to halter

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saddlesore

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Hey guys, bit of an odd one that I'm not sure how to tackle. He's great to catch as such -comes to call - and will let me put the halter on but not without protest! He tends to lift his head and tilt it away. I put the halter round his neck and ask him to bend round but it is still two falls and a submission. Oddly he is great to bridle. Any thoughts or tips? Thanks in advance!
 
Only thought really is, you say 'halter' - are you using a rope halter, and is he teething, so his jaw may be sore.
If that rings a bell, try a headcollar rather than halter so there is a wider bearing surface for comfort.
 
Hi, have you thought of fastening the top of your head collar and undoing the the piece that runs under the jaw so you are putting the head collar on more like the bridle. Just in case your youngster doesn't like the top strap being past over his head. Hope that makes sense.x
 
Hey guys, yes it is a rope halter. Maybe swapping it is worth a try thanks :-) Don't think he minds it being passed over as I have now taken to having my arms round either side of his neck to bed his head towards me if that makes any sense? Its really weird, never come across it before with a horse so willing to be caught!
 
Two suggestions on this one!

I saw a video on YouTube showing another way to put on a rope halter which impressed me so much I always do it this way now. Simply scrunch the collar up in your right hand while holding the long bit (that goes over the poll) with your fingers. Rub the side of the horse's neck with this hand while offering a treat with your left hand. Now, push the head collar over the neck and DROP it over the other side while holding onto the long end. If you do this with your right hand close to the neck, ten to one the horse will not even notice. Most pass the head collar over the neck. That's not the way to do it. The way I am describing is simply an extension of your rubbing the horse's neck. Catch the collar under the horse's neck with the left hand when it drops down and put it on as normal. Always make your movements slow and gentle and never ever grab!

Another way is to teach your horse to put his head into a conventional head collar. Again, you offer your treat with the left hand with the head collar hanging over that arm. Next, offer a treat, again with the left hand, but while you gently hold up the head collar (still on your arm!). Repeat this a couple of times a day but increasingly asking the horse to reach through the head collar to get the treat. Try and let the horse do the moving. If you try to rush things, the horse will as likely spook. I taught a head shy pony to head collar himself using this technique, but it does take time and patience.
 
Thanks for your reply :-) your second suggestion is definitely worth a shot I reckon as it's the noseband going on that causes the 'huff' . He's not spooky at all and is happy with arms round his neck, it's as I lift the halter towards his nose his head goes up and tilts away as if to say no thanks!
 
saddlesore said:
Thanks for your reply :-) your second suggestion is definitely worth a shot I reckon as it's the noseband going on that causes the 'huff' . He's not spooky at all and is happy with arms round his neck, it's as I lift the halter towards his nose his head goes up and tilts away as if to say no thanks!
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Offer the slice of carrot as you lift the head collar. Start by lifting the head collar away from the carrot and move it nearer each day. Let the horse reach for the carrot rather than you moving your hand, if you see what I mean. Always make them work for the reward, too.

I'm an old falconer and this is how we train a hawk to accept the hood. Once the bird will accept the hood being placed on it's head, we put it on and take it off again and again until it thinks nothing of it. That also works for horses but it is fun to train them to put their heads into the head collar!
 
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