2yr old reluctant to walk left

[teddysheep]

Starting my 2yr Welsh cob (v fiery) walking in hand, all ok but he has been reluctant to walk on the left rein....falling in & I always felt like I had to push him out. It is now much worse & he’s really objecting...showing white of his eye, head up, and I just gave up today because I don’t want to push it if he’s uncomfortable. He seems absolutely fine on the right rein, flies round the field etc....he’s in a dually halter. Just wondered if there’s any thoughts on this? Obv. I’ll get him checked out if necessary but wondering if maybe teeth etc? I just don’t know.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Mine struggled to be led from the 'wrong' side, she didn't know where to put her feet, although she improved with practice. I think I would want a vet/physio to look at yours.

 

[teddysheep]

Thanks I’m thinking that too..mine is v clumsy with his feet, walking out of stable, poles

 

[Gloi]

Horses have to learn everything from both sides. It will come with practice.

 

[LEC]

It’s right/left brain - funnily enough I was watching something today which said cowboy horses are a lot less one sided as no ‘correct’ side for doing anything unlike European cavalry tradition. Just stick with it if fine doing carrot stretches and not lame.

 

[GreyDot]

Have you tried him in a normal headcollar? The dually one may just be too much pressure for him. Maybe just simplify it a bit until he grasps the basics of where to put his feet and to walk away from your shoulder without the pressure from the dually.

 

[teddysheep]

Horses have to learn everything from both sides. It will come with practice.

thank you

 

[teddysheep]

Have you tried him in a normal headcollar? The dually one may just be too much pressure for him. Maybe just simplify it a bit until he grasps the basics of where to put his feet and to walk away from your shoulder without the pressure from the dually.

I haven't actually, no - I'll give this a go. He ..obviously being so young, needs to work things out in small bursts & gets frustrated easily, I'll try this - thanks

 

[teddysheep]

It’s right/left brain - funnily enough I was watching something today which said cowboy horses are a lot less one sided as no ‘correct’ side for doing anything unlike European cavalry tradition. Just stick with it if fine doing carrot stretches and not lame.

I thought yesterday about doing the stretches, I'll start that. Def not lame, spent a lot of time watching him loose in the field yesterday - he circles both ways loose with ease & no probs, thanks everyone!

 

[milliepops]

yeah i agree. they can just be a bit dense about some left-right things esp if used to handling from one side. My 4yo really really struggled to get the idea of lunging on the right rein. Left rein, he lunged like a dream in 3 paces. right rein he had no idea how to connect the instruction i was giving him to the result he was meant to deliver, even in walk. we think it must be obvious but to the horse it clearly makes no sense at all sometimes!

do you have someone who can help you? i could have done with someone to lead my chap on the outside of the circle to give him a clue

 

[dorsetladette]

yeah i agree. they can just be a bit dense about some left-right things esp if used to handling from one side. My 4yo really really struggled to get the idea of lunging on the right rein. Left rein, he lunged like a dream in 3 paces. right rein he had no idea how to connect the instruction i was giving him to the result he was meant to deliver, even in walk. we think it must be obvious but to the horse it clearly makes no sense at all sometimes!

do you have someone who can help you? i could have done with someone to lead my chap on the outside of the circle to give him a clue

I was thinking this.

My new baby is just about 12 months now and is not great at being lead. I've had my other half walk the other side of him with a loose rope attached to the side of his head collar. Every time he tries to come round on me I push his head (and neck) away from me to correct and other half puts pressure on the rope. OH is also there to stop the bum coming out and round away from me. It's work in progress but we are getting there. It's not how I planned to start him off but he's come to us after being passed around and hasn't had the consistency that my others have had. He's pushy and gets in your space (my pet hate), but I feel this is through lack of understanding rather than bolshiness.

 

[teddysheep]

yeah i agree. they can just be a bit dense about some left-right things esp if used to handling from one side. My 4yo really really struggled to get the idea of lunging on the right rein. Left rein, he lunged like a dream in 3 paces. right rein he had no idea how to connect the instruction i was giving him to the result he was meant to deliver, even in walk. we think it must be obvious but to the horse it clearly makes no sense at all sometimes!

do you have someone who can help you? i could have done with someone to lead my chap on the outside of the circle to give him a clue

mine is def like this - just no clue! Yes I can get some help, I think that would help & if he objects to that then I'll get him checked over - thank you

 

[Patterdale]

Starting my 2yr Welsh cob

^thats your problem right there ??

Lovely ponies but pointless arguments to prove a point on their part will become a large part of your life ?

 

[milliepops]

not if you figure out how to head one off before it begins diplomatic relations is the name of the game

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

OP, rather than the dually, I like to use a simple rope (cow) halter, which I find gives more control than a headcollar.