Foals home but clicking jaw!!! And leading problems

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thatsmygirl

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Iv got my little foal home and have noticed that when he eats his jaw clicks with every movement, any experience off this? And also any tips to help teach him to lead instead off digging his heels in? I let him follow another horse tonight which was fine but won't lead on his own. Thanks guys
 
No idea about the clicky jaw

But with the leading, depending on how big he is you could wrap a towel around his bum and have a arm around his front, that works quite well.

If he's a bit bigger, a lead rope/lunge line around the bottom and hold him , facing forwards in normal leading position. Takes a little getting used to, but works well
 
Maybe even just an arm round the bottom of the neck to give him more confidence and can give him a tap on the shoulder or move it back to give him a tap on the bum now and again to keep him moveing forward.
Hope you get there soon.
 
For the leading id just make it very annoying and hard to stand still. Don't let the rope stop moving, gentle pulls and release all the time. As soon as he moves stop annoying him and walk normally until you say stop. If his feet are well and truly stuck, pull and release to the side so he takes a side step then just carry on walking. With the jaw maybe just get the vet to have a look, might be something he grows out of.
 
I know I'll get shot down, but sliced carrots and sliced apples works wonders. Lenny was untouched when I bought him, coming up 2 months, he walks on, stands,backs up and moves over and will now let me pick up his feet and pick them out. We did have a big blip when the vet came to microchip him (he still wont let her near him) and I couldn't get near him for 2 days, but I had, had the sense to leave his headcollar on, but he came round, and he walks out on his own, bless him. So I'm hopeing come Feb as that is what the vet says is the best time geld, he will have forgiven her(mind you she did try the carrot trick and he wasn't having any:):):):))
 
Lead rope looped over the bum......look in breeding for a post by Janet George, its simple yet highly effective.
As for the clicking jaw....not a clue!
 
thatsmygirl said:
Iv got my little foal home and have noticed that when he eats his jaw clicks with every movement, any experience off this? And also any tips to help teach him to lead instead off digging his heels in? I let him follow another horse tonight which was fine but won't lead on his own. Thanks guys
Click to expand...

How old is he?

If you have help, and I know it isn't so easy if you don't, but let him follow another horse for a while, that is what I prefer to do, I often put the mare and foal in a roundpen, tell her to walk on and do it that way if I am by myself. Lead him as normal but without doing anymore than just walking beside him and giving 'walk on' and 'whoa' cues (whatever you personally use) Much less stressful and once he figures out what you want and it clicks he'll be fine.

Or, if you are by yourself, carry a schooling whip and tap him behind, I don't mean whack, I mean tap, tap, tap - irritate him into moving forwards, as soon as he moves stop the tapping. It works for mine and I don't end up with whip wary babies.

Or, have someone walk behind and chivvy him along if he sticks. Try not to get yourself into the situation (2' out of arms reach of the gate/door;) Been there, done that, I'm not perfect) where you have to have an argument about it, or let go.

With very young foals, if I have no help to lead the mare, I just move them around the stable, even them just turning their head to gentle pressure and taking a step forwards is good enough for me.

There are a myriad of different ways that people use, if the result is a calm youngster that walks beside you none of them are wrong.
We all do what works for us, the situation, and for the individual youngster.

Good Luck, it will come. :)
 
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Thanks guys, he's 7 months but been though the sales and had a bit off a rough time. He's very scared but will follow one off my others with me leading him, my daughter leading the pony in front. I'm hopeing as he settles and trusts me things will just work out. He was locked in a small barn without seeing daylight for a month so to even see the outside, other horses etc must be a shock again.
 
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