Difficult to lead..

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em2010

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My young lad was 'halter broken' the same as all the rest but when we take him out in the morning it takes ten minutes more just to ask him to walk nicely, (he stops, plods then stops for even longer before he gets going again!). I just persevered with him but there's got to be something to get him more forward going??

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question:o
 
This may sound cruel but I always carry a schooling whip and when the horse stops I make sure that I am stood by his shoulder and ask him to walk on three times. If he doesn't I hit the ground/fence/my boot with the schooling whip and he normally walks on.

I also treat at the gate going in and coming out, some people will disagree with this but he is a rig so behaves very stallion-y.
 
bettyboo222 said:
This may sound cruel but I always carry a schooling whip and when the horse stops I make sure that I am stood by his shoulder and ask him to walk on three times. If he doesn't I hit the ground/fence/my boot with the schooling whip and he normally walks on.

I also treat at the gate going in and coming out, some people will disagree with this but he is a rig so behaves very stallion-y.
Click to expand...

tryed this!
the whip just doesn't fase him:s
it's my shetland that's the pain to lead so now I'm stuck?? he's only a baby so should I just keep trying?? x
 
You could do with some help for a few days.

With a second person you can attach two lead ropes to the headcollar and lead with one on either side which seems to help with no real pressure..it also deals with any sideways jinking and rushing off and yes consider an extra long rope or whip to wave around behind.

Turning out is the only time I routinely treat my horses. They know that they will get something once they are in the field and waiting patiently for the headcollar to be removed, having turned to face the gate. Even the big one who is usually itching to gallop off has learned.

If your horse gets sticky leading out, resist the urge to pull on the leadrope, I have more success with letting it go a little limp, waiting a couple of seconds and then telling the horse to move forward firmly.
 
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