handling heavy horses

L

lowbardon

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 April 2007
Messages
199
Location
up north
Visit site
hi i have just bought a lovely 10 year old shire cross ive only had her a few days so she is still settling in,but she is strong to lead can anyone suggest a better halter to use not sure if they go big enough as she has a very large head.also she is bargy in the stable and in general(her old owner did tell me this)and wondered if anyone who has a heavy has any tips to handle them and in general.i have been leading her to and from the field asking her to stand,back up and turn hoping it will help thanks
 
I have a Suffolk cross who can be very opinionated when he wants. He used to tank off all the time when leading, so I didn't take him anywhere without putting his bridle on first. In the stable, especially at feed time, he would barge me. We had a bar across the door way so that he couldn't barge out and when I had his feed, I would push him back whilst telling him back (and meaning it) and he soon learnt. He now moves back, stands pretty much on command and I am able to lead him in a headcollar. Occasionally, if I know he is in an arsey mood, I just wrap lead rope around his nose.
 
Obviously as she is in a new home she will be testing the boundary's, so it is important to be very consistant with your new girlie. Get a chain dog lean and put that over her nose and lead her with the chain over...if she gets strond or bolshy give it a rattle over her nasal bones, and it will stop her leaning on you.
We also held a whip in front of our heavies chest, so that if they went past us, they could get a sharp 'No' and a tap in the chest..just teaches them to respect the teemy weeny person holing a tonne on a piece of rope!! Hope that helps x
 
I have a BIG heavy (18.1hh 3/4 shire!) and he can be strong. He is not nasty in any way just very nosy about everything! I lead him in a bridle and not a headcollar as although I can hold him in a headcollar I would prefur to have some extra control just incase I need it. About the size thing don't worry - just look for "extra-full" or "warmblood" size. Got any piccies yet???
If you want anymore advise PM me
laugh.gif
 
Blunt pitch fork or brush to the cannon bones in the stable, make the horse back off the door before you open it onusing a voice command. As for handling I would use a normal bit or (if required) a chifney to start with. Then move on to a rope halter, wouldn't think of using a normal halter on a draught...not even sure where you'd get one to fit!
 
Hi i have a suffolk punch x who used to be a bit unruly when she was younger - i tried a few different things - but in saddleries they sell a head collar with built in chain across the nose which worked wonders for me - i still use it occassionally now normally when she is in season she can be a bit bulshy. I find just putting a chain across can slip down into the wrong place. She doesnt realise her own strength and because of this i am very strict with her and thankfully she is now very well behaved - i find also if she tries her luck and wins then i end up with a big problem - i have had to be the one in charge all the time with her - she is too smart and knows she can try again otherwise!
 
We have two Pecherons - they are like 18hh tanks!

Either a chain or rope over the nose helps but if they want to go - they go, so a chifney does the job if we are out with them.

We also have a thick wood, sliding bar in the door of the stables, otherwise they just walk through the door at feed time!

Loads of riding, driving & on the ground training has all helped, they are a lot better now.
 
hi she is not nasty in anyway just pushy i think and the last owners just let her i think,shes called fizz and shes 16.3hh so quite big.i will try the chain over her nose and see if that helps,it hard to tell if its just her or as you say just try her luck, but il try and get some pics of her later thanks for the advice everyone
 
yes i was thinking about the rope halters,but wasnt sure they would make them big enough,she takes a extra full bridle I will have a look thanks
 
I've never had a problem with hovis leading but if he's being an arse i'd wrap the rope around his nose. i have never had to lead him in anything other than a normal headcollar.
I also have found slapping him on the chest to get him to move has no effect whatso ever. I therefore pinch him on his chest instead, increasing the pressure until he moves. In fairness this isn't too often but if he needs reminding i grab a handful of chest and twist.
I also have done loads and loads of ground work with him and worked him in a rope hater in the round pen. He takes an extra full bridle so yes they do make them that big!

PS He is a 6 year old clydie cross
 
Hi

I have a 15 h cob mare who had no ground manners at all, very bolshy on the ground. In fact she was the one doing the leading most of the time!

I was given a Monty Roberts control halter, (blue size needed for a cob)

I have not had any trouble out of her since... very well behaved. I swear by it!

She is so good now that I can switch back to a normal head collar....

Honestly get one it will transform your relationship.
 
[ QUOTE ]
yes i was thinking about the rope halters,but wasnt sure they would make them big enough,she takes a extra full bridle I will have a look thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

Bentley has an enormous head and the halter fits him fine (it was a 'one size fits all' one from eBay)

Photo-0004.jpg


Photo-0005.jpg
 
I have a 16hh HW cob (looks like he may have Suffolk Punch in him) and he was very greedy about food when we first got hom and later on went through a phase of pissing off on the lead to get to his mate. I solved both problems with clicker training (i.e. operant conditioning for behaviour modification) and can handle him like any other horse.

I don't think size should make people use rougher means of handling large horses and some of the suggestions above are not what I would use.
 
We normally end up with bolshy/unhandled boys at work and I've found a simple knotted rope halter works well. I try and use my voice and there's no way 5ft 6 me can fight a percheron. Also I try not to haul on them, I over exagerate pressure and release and if they pull too much/the wrong way, circle. Yesterday Fritz (4) wouldn't stand still so after asking twice to stand I lunged him there and then (advantage of using long ropes, also good for stopping them get away!) for a few circles and asked him to walk. He then stood nicely to be stroked by an elderly woman and some children.

I am reluctant to use bridles (although I will when I need) as there's nothing worse than a heavy with a dead mouth! I've also found that when you've mastered "back" you're half way there, especially with food!
 
I am under 5' and our clydie mare is nearly 17 hands and my cob is nearly 15.1 but a chunky chap. They are 5 this year.

On the rare occasion mine have played up, I have carried a short whip and put a dog choke chain threaded through their head collar under their chin.

They are asked once, poked with my finger or end of the whip, and then will get one hard slap. If they pull, they get a hard tug on the chain. I have rarely had to do this often as they very quickly get the message, do it first time and it is praise and a small treat, ignore my request and Mr Sticky visits.

I have done a lot of basic ground work, I get them to turn when I turn, stop when I stop and back up on command. They are too big and potentially dangerous to have anything other than perfect ground manners.

I can now lead them both everywhere together whilst pushing a wheelbarrow with no problems (so far). I have not carried a whip or my chain for months but should they ever start up they would be out in a second.

I have never used a bridle for control as I do not wish to damage soft baby mouths, and I have found the chain under the jaw to be enough to stop them without damage.

May I also recommend steel toecaps when handling them - even unshoed on the rare occasion mine have caught my toes, I have been very glad to have my steelies on.
 
When we got our first ShirexClyde she had worked in a riding school for about 2 yrs and hated it, especially the feeding regime. Sister's novice OH led her from field to stable at feed-time and she really led him a dance, slamming him against the door frame etc. We swapped round and sister led SxC while OH led her horse. The difference was amazing, just because sister was firm with her. We always use old-fashioned rope halters, (like cow halters) and find that they pinch the nose and curb effectively, when necessary. When we swapped back we shut the stable door and insisted that she stand and go back so that the door could be opened. We have since had 2 other heavies and find that you must be consistent and firm with them. When they know the boundaries, they will respect them, IME.
 
Picies please
grin.gif

We used to own a pure bred shire but now have a shiire x. Luckily both have been really good for us.
 
yes piccies please. I have a shire TB cross mare17hh but fortunately on the ground she's a dream unless you're pulling her mane. The odd occasion she is strong putting the rope round her nose and back through the headcollar does the trick.
 
[ QUOTE ]
yes i was thinking about the rope halters,but wasnt sure they would make them big enough,she takes a extra full bridle I will have a look thanks

[/ QUOTE ]


Draft size rope halter and a 12' line.

I always use a long rope on any horse or pony, but with a big horse if they put their head up you have no chance with a piddly little short rope
smile.gif


Just because it is a big horse it doesn't mean it is not sensitive. Play around on the ground with your rope halter and ask for forwards, backwards and side to side moving of the legs, see how little pressure you need to use - you will be amazed
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]


I don't think size should make people use rougher means of handling large horses and some of the suggestions above are not what I would use.

[/ QUOTE ]


Hear, hear. Big horses can still feel a fly land on them!

In my expereince big horses only become balshy and pushy when they have been handled roughly and with no "feel"

Actually - that could apply to most horses!
 
lots of groundwork to get her focused on you, moving in the direction that you want her to go in, and respecting you as her herd leader?

I also agree about using a long line, rather than a normal size leadrope.
 
thanks for the tips everyone its really helpfull,i think the main reason for this bargy behaviour is that the last owners didnt correct her when she pushed them or just wandered off but she is a little better allready,the one problem i have is she kicks the stable door for attention i think and when you lead her into the stable ,if you dont shut the door straight away she turns and barges straight back out,i think im going to try and get a bar put up on her door to see if it helps and i will get a rope halters first to try,i dont really want to use a bridle as shes not that bad but i do need something "sharper" if you no what i mean than her halter ,im going to get some pics tonight so will post them later thanks again
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top