Difficult to lead from field

[Mahoganybay]

My daughters horse has become difficult to catch recently, we have managed to solve the getting near him issue by reward & retreat/field safe headcollar and can now get up to him and actually catch him.

The problem now is that you can lead him a few steps, even about 20-30 feet and then he just turns and runs, you can't stop him (and he's knows it 16.2 IDx), he literally pulls the leadrope through your hands and if we weren't wearing gloves would have major blisters.

It is taking about 1-2 hours each night before he 'gives up' and he decides to come in. It is not through any pain as all avenues have been checked it is just 'herd bound' behaviour.

Any suggestions (other than keeping the bugger in all the time lol).

 

[daisybe33]

Have you tried leading him with a lungeline so that if he pulls away from you you still have hold of him if that makes sense????

 

[ForeverBroke_]

As truly impossible as it sounds , when they start to take hold, try to get 45 degrees from their head, and then give a sharp tug. The angle will whip their head around so that they're forced to stop. Also, have you tried different forms of control halters? Or even just putting the rope under his chin etc just so when you say no, you mean it. You can always take it back off after he knows the drill.

 

[Damnation]

I put the leadrope around my mares nose. When she stops it gets tight around her nose but when she walks nicely its nice and loose, no pressure. She soon learnt.
It is just naughtyness in my experience, not wanting to leave their friends in the field! I have had a schooling whip on my mares bum before because I was fed up of going everywhere but towards the stable. One short sharp shock and I have never had to do it again.

 

[lucy1984]

i have the same problem with my tb. Try a controller headcollar so it puts pressure on the poll/nose area and lead with a lunge line but be careful how you hold it (sounds obvious i know, but incase you need to let go at any point with ease).

my fingertips have come off many times! Gloves are the way forward!

 

[ForeverBroke_]

Also, just thought .
Try walking a few steps forward. Then stopping, pausing and backing up. And repeat. Then you'll have time to a) teach him some ground manners and keep him in check the whole way in

 

[Mahoganybay]

Some brilliant suggestions there guys, thanks so much, have tried a controller headcollar and he ignored that and put the leadrope round his nose, again he ignores it.

The lunge line/leadrope round his nose and a smack from a schooling whip combo is defiantly worth a try.

Many thanks again.

 

[Rebels]

I have to lead my 17.3 warmblood with a chain under his nose. chain on means lovely horse who never pulls, chain off means he can leg it and then he thinks he is so clever so bucks and flicks out legs (not at me, they just aren't attatched to his body yet).

 

[jhoward]

ive got a mare like this, difference is she rears, and if she gets the chance will give you both back feet.

its taken a while, but .. first of all i taught her to lead by my shoulder, ie she keeps her shoulder where ever i am. if i slow down. so does she. if i quicken so does she.

shes a cow for pretending to have a sniff then trying to drag you, you HAVE to be able to get your elbow in the shoulder.. ie between the neck and shoulder joint, that way you have more leverage to turn them round.

ive tried many things on her, monty roberts head collar, rope around the nose, bridles.. it doesnt work if shes going to be a cow shes going to do it. with the rope around the nose, she will play up, feel it tighten and refuse to move. the moment you slacken it all hell breaks lose.

i have also taken the harsh method., she quickens and she gets a whip across her chest.. it took a while to get the message but now i can just lie the whip against her and she slows down.

 

[lucy1984]

if all else fails theres always the chiffney lol

 

[jhoward]

i tried a chiffney, didnt do a thing, my mare is a smart arse cowbag.

 

[charliesarmy]

I used to have to bring my pony in on a lunge as she was a boggoff pony being on a lunge gave you that extra time to think about what was going on

and if they get to the end you can stand your ground and yank and they whip round summat to do with them actually using there own weight against a still weight anyhow worked for us she soon realised she couldnt win...

 

[dwi]

Daisy is like this, we tried all sorts of control headeacollars etc and have found that the only thing that works is a pelham with the leadrope clipped through the bottom ring. I accept this is pretty severe but D respects it so I don't have to put any pressure on anymore and she's not a danger to herself or anyone else anymore.