MizElz
Well-Known Member
For ages now, I've been having problems when I go to turn my horse out. She likes to try to gallop off before I've unclipped the leadrope, or whilst I still have my fingers caught inside the ring.
Now, before everyone yells at me, I have tried many different ways to break her of this habit. I've tried the softly-softly approach, walking her round the perimeter of the field to settle her, before letting go. No joy - she still makes to jump away, often spinning round and lashing out with her back feet as she does so (BTW I ALWAYS turn her to face me, so as to minimise my risk of getting a faceful of hooves) I've tried wrapping the lead rope around her nose, but this just adds more difficulty to the situation, as she likes to think that as I am then undoing the loop, I am actually releasing the clasp. I've tried standing her up, patting her, stroking and soothing her, but still, the minute you reach for her headcollar, she thinks she's free! In fact, the only method I HAVENT tried is that of the Chiffney, but this is a last resort as I know it's a very harsh method indeed. Oh yes, and I havent tried beating her up either, but I think I'll let that one pass....
Anyway, over the last couple of weeks I've been trying the food method. I undo the fence, lead her through, give her a polo, reach up with one hand to unclip leadrope whilst distracting her with a polo in the other hand. This has seemed to work - true, the minute she grabs the 2nd polo, she bolts off again, but at least I'm not attached this time! And this morning, I'd run out of polos so I took a handful of pasture mix. This was SERIOUSLY funny....she hadnt bargained on the mix taking 10 times as long to gobble up, and she was stood there, frantically lipping my hand, whilst I had managed to unclip rope, remove it, step back and giggle! Next thing, she suddenly realised she'd been free for the last 30 second, and gave a squeal of rage! she galloped off, bucking and squealing, then turned to look at me as if to say, 'Damn you, you got the better of me!'
I dare say I won't be so lucky next time...she looked like she was already conjuring up a plan....
Now, before everyone yells at me, I have tried many different ways to break her of this habit. I've tried the softly-softly approach, walking her round the perimeter of the field to settle her, before letting go. No joy - she still makes to jump away, often spinning round and lashing out with her back feet as she does so (BTW I ALWAYS turn her to face me, so as to minimise my risk of getting a faceful of hooves) I've tried wrapping the lead rope around her nose, but this just adds more difficulty to the situation, as she likes to think that as I am then undoing the loop, I am actually releasing the clasp. I've tried standing her up, patting her, stroking and soothing her, but still, the minute you reach for her headcollar, she thinks she's free! In fact, the only method I HAVENT tried is that of the Chiffney, but this is a last resort as I know it's a very harsh method indeed. Oh yes, and I havent tried beating her up either, but I think I'll let that one pass....
Anyway, over the last couple of weeks I've been trying the food method. I undo the fence, lead her through, give her a polo, reach up with one hand to unclip leadrope whilst distracting her with a polo in the other hand. This has seemed to work - true, the minute she grabs the 2nd polo, she bolts off again, but at least I'm not attached this time! And this morning, I'd run out of polos so I took a handful of pasture mix. This was SERIOUSLY funny....she hadnt bargained on the mix taking 10 times as long to gobble up, and she was stood there, frantically lipping my hand, whilst I had managed to unclip rope, remove it, step back and giggle! Next thing, she suddenly realised she'd been free for the last 30 second, and gave a squeal of rage! she galloped off, bucking and squealing, then turned to look at me as if to say, 'Damn you, you got the better of me!'
I dare say I won't be so lucky next time...she looked like she was already conjuring up a plan....
