Arghhhh he did it, he pulled away and *****ed off in the dark

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Horsekaren

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I posted a few days ago about my horse pulling off and charging about the edge of the paddocks for a good hour! I knew it would have had an effect! Tonight he bolted back to his stable in the dark over taking another horse and causing a big fuss 😫

I lead him in dually with 10ft rope, he was walking to quick I asked him to slow down, asked again, he did for a second then went nope I'm off strait into canter, rope slipped out my hand and he was gone.

Advice again please -
If I use a lunge line can this be dangerous if he gets away?
If I try bridle and ten foot rope and he try's and loses me is it dangerous for him to be running about incase he treads on the rope?
Is there a stronger head collar than a dually? Are be nice ones better?

I know I can't win again his stregnth but I need to have the best chance to stop this.
I know once he has walked nicely for a week we will be back to where he was.
I can't even take him back to try and correct him as it's pitch black hence I don't want this happening :(

He is likely suffering from ulcers which we are about to confirm but that is no excuse for this type of behaviour is it?

Needless to say I went home , pushed my dinner around my plate and felt sick worrying about having to do it all over again tomorrow :(
 
Having read all your questions on various threads, I would advise you get help before you get hurt and before the horse gets anymore topsides of you.
 
I’m afraid I would resort to a short sharp shock next time you feel him starting to use his strength, either with a bridle or a stallion chain under his chin. If his head is towards you he can’t bog off so try and ensure his neck comes round rather than braces against you.
 
I would not take him anywhere unless his in a bridle or stallion chain and he needs a good few sharp pulls on it to make him understand he can't just tank off, it's really dangerous having them get away from you especially in the dark.
 
Agree with AA and JFTD but would add that if you do try leading him in a bridle it would be a good idea to slip the rope through the bit ring(s) rather than clipping it on, then if he does get away the rope will just come free.
 
I just wanted to ask what is his grazing like? I find horses do this when they have been left on a bare field for hours on end in the middle of winter they are basically starving and can't wait to get to food, and this kind of management would definitely cause ulcers.
 
As TGM says - bridle with a slip rope. And bring him in in daylight. I'm not a fan of long lines so would always want to use a standard lenght rope.

But as others have also advised, time for some professional help.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Having read all your questions on various threads, I would advise you get help before you get hurt and before the horse gets anymore topsides of you.
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Thanks,I am in contact with a few natural horsemanship trainers, I am trying to organise someone to come to my yard on the weekend as I'm not ashamed to admit I need help.

I have always been anti stallion chain but I don't know if it might help with this.
 
Pinkvboots said:
I just wanted to ask what is his grazing like? I find horses do this when they have been left on a bare field for hours on end in the middle of winter they are basically starving and can't wait to get to food, and this kind of management would definitely cause ulcers.
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The field is good for grass at the moment, i did wonder if he was running for food but he ran past all the grass , stood outside his open stable which had his dinner in it :(
 
Pinkvboots said:
I just wanted to ask what is his grazing like? I find horses do this when they have been left on a bare field for hours on end in the middle of winter they are basically starving and can't wait to get to food, and this kind of management would definitely cause ulcers.
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Ah, missed this. But Yes, good question.
 
Horsekaren said:
Thanks,I am in contact with a few natural horsemanship trainers, I am trying to organise someone to come to my yard on the weekend as I'm not ashamed to admit I need help.

I have always been anti stallion chain but I don't know if it might help with this.
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To be honest you don’t sound experienced enough to know whether to be for/anti stallion chains.

By all means go the NH route, but to be honest this sounds like nothing other than good old fashioned horsemanship and boundary setting.

I’d consider getting this horse on full livery and in a set routine with an experienced stable manager
 
Agree that it's time to get professional help now, it's all well and good you keep trying different things, but allowing him to barge past someone else in the dark is unfair on that person as that is putting them at danger also.

In the meantime, he either stays in his stable, or you make sure no-one else is in the firing line as he now knows that he can do pretty much whatever he feels like. You are creating a potentially dangerous horse. Sorry if it's not what you want to hear. There is no shame in seeking help!

I personally wouldn't want to put a stallion chain in the hands of a novice owner, as wrong timing for short sharp pain in an already taking the p*ss horse is a recipe for disaster
 
Agree with AA.

Use a bridle or a chiffney. Much better control, and you don't use them until you actually need it. Sometimes they just need "reminding" that you're the one in charge. It doesn't always need to be used but until he stops being unpredictable I would be using the bridle (ie. with a bit) or a chiffney. Just make sure someone has shown you how to use the chiffney, the bridle you can just use as normal.

I'd be very wary of NH type controls.

Make sure you wear gloves if nothing else - you don't want rope burn.
 
ihatework said:
To be honest you don’t sound experienced enough to know whether to be for/anti stallion chains.


I’d consider getting this horse on full livery and in a set routine with an experienced stable manager
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I think that’s harsh. I’ve had horses for over thirty years and until I had a problem would never have considered a stallion chain.

There are too many stories of staff letting horses get into bad habits for full livery to be the cure all. OP could end up with an even more difficult horse who might lead better, but end up with other problems.
 
Horsekaren said:
Thanks,I am in contact with a few natural horsemanship trainers, I am trying to organise someone to come to my yard on the weekend as I'm not ashamed to admit I need help.

I have always been anti stallion chain but I don't know if it might help with this.
Click to expand...

I would rather use a stallion chain than a dually I find they are pretty useless for horses that know they can get away from you, why don't you just stick his bridle on it might be just enough to stop him from running if he knows his got a bit in his mouth.

I wouldn't have his bucket feed waiting for him when he comes in either, just have his Hay net in the stable when he returns from the field do everything you need to do and feed him just before you go.
 
I'd like to clarify that by agreeing you need "professional" assistance, I did not mean an NH person. Especially in your area, I'd be careful about that...
 
JFTD said:
I'd like to clarify that by agreeing you need "professional" assistance, I did not mean an NH person. Especially in your area, I'd be careful about that...
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JFTD not singling you out at all, but if you / anyone else know(s) OP location could you maybe suggest some recommended trainers who OP could contact?

Horsekaren I agree with the others, you need to get someone to help you, hope you get sorted soon.
 
Not necesarily naughty, perhaps just a bit cheeky with the cold!

I would try a headcollar with a soft lunge line threaded through the "cheek" bit round and over the poll and back again..

Keep it soft but be ready, when he tries it again, bring him round proper sharpish.

Worked with my terrorist!
 
Dave's Mam said:
Another one for professional help. Not being "in touch" with trainers, someone THERE, on the ground with you.
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I would love nothing more than to have someone with me holding my hand through this bumpy path. But the fact is I can't get anyone out to help before the weekend and I have to deal with getting my horse in for the rest of the week and then following weeks.
He isn't on a full livery.
We haven't had any problems leading since the pulling off on the weekend. I have been doing dually training and it's been great he as been the safest horse a dope on a rope. I now have a problem self produced but I have no choice but to deal with it.

I'm just looking for tips to help before I can tackle this in daylight with help on the weekend.
 
Horsekaren said:
I would love nothing more than to have someone with me holding my hand through this bumpy path. But the fact is I can't get anyone out to help before the weekend and I have to deal with getting my horse in for the rest of the week and then following weeks.
He isn't on a full livery.
We haven't had any problems leading since the pulling off on the weekend. I have been doing dually training and it's been great he as been the safest horse a dope on a rope. I now have a problem self produced but I have no choice but to deal with it.

I'm just looking for tips to help before I can tackle this in daylight with help on the weekend.
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Stick a bridle on him, a decent rope and gloves with grip. Keep him close and the minute he even half thinks about doing anything other than walking in nicely ******* him. Don’t give him benefit of doubt either
 
Sheep said:
JFTD not singling you out at all, but if you / anyone else know(s) OP location could you maybe suggest some recommended trainers who OP could contact?
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I don't know anyone decent in her area. I do know a couple of "NH" people who are best avoided in that area, but obviously I'm not going to post those names on the open forum.
 
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