A couple of training pointers please

B

BoxCleva

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 November 2012
Messages
50
Visit site
Hi Folks,

We've been making great progress with our Sec D gelding (4 yrs ) of late.

To recap, he would very often run off whilst being lead in hand, put the brakes on when we wanted to turn him out , barge us through gates and was generally very rude in just about every way possible!

Since then, and with very little help, we have managed to stop the Houdini behaviour, he no longer puts the brakes on and he will politely wait at gates for us to walk through first and then follow when invited. He will step away from the stable door when asked and will move from side to side on command when we want to pick out his feet. All little victories I appreciate, but compared to how he was , this is a massive achievement.

So my two questions are :

1. Presumably as an act of defiance (or sulking because we are training him) he has begun to nip us when we are at close quarters and be a little 'bargy' with his head. Any solutions ?

2. Backing up. When in the school I can make him back up by pulling his head down towards his chest and pushing on his shoulder. This is all well and good , but it's very physical , and I would like to achieve this with a 'hands off ' approach. I have watched a few youtube videos on this ( this being one example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmp53-C6A3o ) . I've only tried it twice and only for a total of ten minutes. He did start to move back once , but wasn't sure this was the best way to achieve the desired end results. Any thoughts ?

Many thanks

:)
 
With the nipping, try sticking your elbow out as you approach him or when you're working round him, when he goes to nip he'll bump his nose on it and won't get anywhere. You haven't hit him, he's bumped himself. Another technique is to push his head away and when he stops turning it back towards you immediately, reward him (pref not with food tho!).

How does he know to back off when you enter the stable? You should be able to use the same way to get him to back up outside. You can try standing a few feet infront of him & shaking the rope side to side to put some minor annoyance on the headcollar, look him in the eye and as soon as he makes any movement backwards, stop, and tell him he's a good boy. Also you can wave your finger side to side at the same time and say 'back', you should be able to then tail it all down to just voice command or waving your finger as you step towards him. What you want ultimately is to make eye contact whilke stepping towards him meaningfully, and for him to get out your space. Sometimes it's just a case of perseverance till the penny drops, and also using the body language each horse understands. (My girl doesn't respond to me saying 'stand' as well as she does to 'wait') :)
 
Thanks very much , that's pretty much what the video says. It seemed like good sense, but it's always nice to have it confirmed :D
When he's in the stable and I shoo him backwards he turns and walks away to the far side of the stable , he doesn't back up as such.

I do try and get my forearm in the way when I am walking him to stop the biting , but he's very persistent :rolleyes: He can also be sneaky when you are doing something in the stable and he sneaks up behind you and nips you on your bottom :eek:

Many thanks for your reply
 
Don't do things with him loose in the stable then! He sounds quite a cheeky character. When you're around him watch him with one eye at all times and when he goes to bite block him with a palm or forearmon his face and push his head away, look him in the eye and say "No" like you mean it. Soon enough all you'll have to do is say No as he comes towards you.

When leading hold your arm straight, it makes it impossible to bite you. If he's being nasty and really coming at you when lead, fit the headcollar so its snug and just above the lips, hold the headcollar instead of the rope, with your knuckles inwards and arm straight, so every time he goes for you he gets knuckles in the face. Or lead in a cheek snaffle , holding the rein furthest from you a little shorter so he can't come towards you.

For backing up, teach him a voice command. In time you'll be able to reduce the amount of physical pressure needed to get him to do it.
 
I had a horse who would nip while being led, he wasn't nasty, just young & mouthy. I used to lead with my elbow bent and he jabbed himself a few times before giving up - I preferred to lead with a bent arm as I had more control should he suddenly spook, speed up etc. Sounds like you've made really good progress so far, so just be consistent & patient and you'll get there - you could do worse than get a copy of Perfect Manners by Kelly Marks, there's some really good groundwork execises in it :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top