Any tips on getting a youngster to move forwards?

3DE

3DE

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I have a yearling and I think I have overdone his desensitisation :( He is literally scared of nothing and I am struggling to get him to move forwards. He will move forwards if let from in front but will not go first or from the shoulder. He won't long line forwards, he just spins and comes back in. You cannot drive him out as he isn't afraid (or respectful) of anything.

He is perfect to work with close by. He will move away to the slightest pressure, he will back up, he will stand and he will walk forwards. He will move out of my space if asked and is in no way spoiled.

The problem becomes most apparent when I try to get him to trot - he just plants his feet and won't move.

I have been to several trainers and he will not move for anyone. He pushes against pressure and does not seem to understand what is being asked of him. We just cannot find something to get him to move so the pressure can be released and praise given. He will lead with a rope halter best but this is no good for showing and this is our aim.

I also need to establish 'forwards' for safety. If we are crossing the road and he plants that is us both squished :(

Any ideas welcome
 
Should you be long lineing a 1yr old?? Or have I misread your post. I would only be doing simple things on a lead rein. Like walking, trotting and halt. IMO he is to young to be doing much else, he is still only a baby.
 
You may have to go back to the simple old fashioned method of having someone 'driving' him from behind. Make sure he is able to walk freely with you beside his shoulder (rather than dragging) and have someone behind encouraging him forward.

Have a go at 'in hand' showing with him,this works wonders and teaches them to be respectful and discipliined.

You are going to have to be very firm and expect results,now. It is a very basic thing to teach horses to lead confidently and corectly,and you must expect if you move up a gear then he should. A couple of clicks from you and he should trot.

It will come, but mustn't be 'wishy washy' which unfortunately natural horsemanship can be sometimes. It has its place,but in this instance,respect is paramount.

Btw,it really is great that he is so bold.
 
lost said:
Should you be long lineing a 1yr old??
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I have tried to long line him a couple of times to encourage him to move forwards with pressure from behind. It was not my intention to longline him but he will not lead from the shoulder. And it seems nor be driven from behind.

He is a baby but he needs to learn the basics of moving forwards for him own (and my) safety. We have to cross a road to get to one of our fields and if he freezes on the road it could be fatal.

Cazza525 said:
You may have to go back to the simple old fashioned method of having someone 'driving' him from behind. Make sure he is able to walk freely with you beside his shoulder (rather than dragging) and have someone behind encouraging him forward.
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He will not be driven from behind :( This is why we tried to longline him. If you drive him from behind he spins to face what is behind him, often over the handler. The idea was longlining would allow for direction - it didn't work he just planted and wouldn't move. He wouldn't move away from a lunge whip, or even a lunge whip with a bag tied to it.

Cazza525 said:
Have a go at 'in hand' showing with him,this works wonders and teaches them to be respectful and discipliined.
Click to expand...

This is where the problem was most noticable. He just froze in his first competiton and wouldn't move forwards at all. We caused much hilarity :o

I thought that maybe it had just blew his mind but he is the same at home too :(


We're going to try leading him with his best friend in front tonight - I don't want him to rely on others for his confidence but if it gives him a clue of what is expected of him then it will be a start...

He really isn't the brightest button...
 
Are you carrying a stick? If not, get one, the longer the better. When he tries to walk behind you have it in your left hand and tap him smartly as far back on him you can reach with your left hand at the same time saying walk on briskly and not holding him back. Don't let him drop behind you but keep him by your shoulder at all times and if he goes to drop behind then flick him with the stick every time he drops back. Be firm and mean it, no wishy washy feeling you're being cruel, you're not, you're instilling discipline that you will need when out on the roads as you said before so that he moves when you say so, not when he wants. Once you have a good smart walk, you can apply the same to the trot; in fact if he breaks into a trot after a flick of the stick, take advantage of that and say trot on and run beside him; he'll probably drop into walk again in a few steps, let him get his balance back and ask again. When he's trotting on nicely remember to speak to him when you want him back to walk, don't just use pressure on the noes/mouth. It does take patience but well taught will stand him in good stead for his lifetime and make him a pleasure to deal with.
 
I would do voice commmands with a clicker and a friend (horse friend). e.g. get horse friend to mvoe off, your horse follows (hopefully) gets click and treat etc. but also i wouldn't worry too much as he's so young - if he was mine, i'd leave him in field for a good few months - i don't think doing too much too young is great for their attitude, my friend's horse was exactly the same as yours... good luck though!
 
Maesfen said:
Are you carrying a stick?
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He has no worry about sticks - you could actually hit him with one all day and he still wouldn't move :( Not that I have actually done that but he will not move from the whip - he just plans.

Morgan123 said:
I would do voice commmands with a clicker and a friend (horse friend). e.g. get horse friend to mvoe off, your horse follows (hopefully) gets click and treat etc.
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Unfortunately I have already tried this and it hasn't worked. He has no reason to want to follow - he just stands still. It's difficult to teach what's right when he won't do it in the first place :(

Morgan123 said:
but also i wouldn't worry too much as he's so young - if he was mine, i'd leave him in field for a good few months - i don't think doing too much too young is great for their attitude
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Unfortunately this needs sorting. His field is over the road from the yard and I need to get him moving forwards/trotting to avoid cars.

I also need to establish this for yearling classes.

As a yearling I don't think leading is too much to ask. He is fine with all other forms of handling, just not being asked to go forwards. Funnily though he will go backwards if asked to :confused:
 
Inhand hacking with a friend seems to have conquered him! He must have just been lacking confidence rather than being stubborn as with a friend he will lead or follow :)
 
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