Difficult to lead - advice please

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anniedoherty

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My gelding is sometimes very laid back when led and sometimes he prances about like an idiot. The final straw came when I had him shod earlier this week and he decided to prat about as I led him back to his stable. He nearly ended up sitting on my car so I think the time has come to try and get more control.

Like I said he is often fine to lead but once or twice a week he decides that he is in charge of where we go and he snorts, throws his head up in the air and is really "on his toes". I end up dangling from the lead rope uselessly, struggling to control him. My YO has advised me to get a chain but I am not sure how to fit it or how it works i.e. if it just comes into play when he throws his head around? I am a novice so please excuse my ignorance. Can anyone enlighten me further please?
 
I'd get a rope halter, dually or be nice halter.

Dually's come with a dvd which can be really helpful in learning techniques for training your horse.

Be Nice are the harshiest of the lot, but useful for bolshy types.
 
A stallion chain is easy to fit. You attach it on the opposite side of the headcollar to where you are leading from and you take it over the nose (I generally loop it through the noseband once to stop it slipping down) and then slide it through the brass ring on the other side of the headcollar. You have to thread it through from the leading side though obviously. It works well with bolshy horses.
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I have a dually and it has really worked. I'd get someone experienced with them to show you how to use it properly though because they require a different style of leading to a normal headcollar
 
This worked a treat on my warmblood mare and Stinker is currently having the same after walking off with my YO. Have also used it on a few other horses that needed a short sharp lesson in life with great results.

Go and get a dogs choke chain - about £2.75. You can either use it over the nose as Tia said, or as I prefer to do. I thread the chain through the headcollar so it goes under the jaw from one side to the other through the bottom side rings. Then attach the rings on the chain to a long rope. It forms a unside down triangle shape with the pointed end on the rope.

If he starts a few sharp tugs should bring him back in line, if not then over the nose.

Turned Fleur from a real bitch with no respect into a well mannered horse very quickly. Stinker had a few tugs Sunday and has been an angel ever since. Nice thing is that you can keep in threaded through with no action until they pee about and causes no damage to the mouth. I found it as controlling as a bridle.
 
Fudge was a real pain, I've been using a Be Nice halter and doing lots of ground work over the past couple of weeks, haven't been dragged since i started using the Be Nice
 
I used to have the same problem with my old TB mare. Leading out, I used to use a thin lead rope and wrap it round her nose and back through the ring so that if she pulled it tightened. I also used a schooling whip. But she was much worse to bring in so I used to use a lunge rein and take one of the lunge whips that come apart, and at the first sign of stroppiness I would just lunge her in the field for 10 minutes, then try leading her again - it took half a dozen goes, but she learned in the end not to show off when being led. The only thing I would say is never let the horse get in front of you, even if it means running so that you can push the horse away from you. It can be terribly dangerous if they come round in front of you when in a silly mood - they can rear and bop you. Always wear a hat and gloves.
 
by chain they probably mean chain leadrope, where there's a bit of chain after the clip before it turns to rope. You can then clip it to the side of his headcollar, use the piece of chain to wrap over his nose or under his chin and pass it through the other side of the headcollar. Only let it come into play to remind him to behave, then loosen it otherwise he won't get a reward if it's always tight. Worked on my old horse. Discontinued using it at all after a few months as no longer needed it which is always the ideal outcome of any aid imo.
 
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I led him in and out today with no problems but I am definitely going to try something a bit "extra" for the times when he is in one of his stupid moods. I have had a couple of near misses already so I have started wearing my hat and gloves - thanks Triskar.
 
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