HELP! Halter Training Issues!

[merlino]

Hiya, I'm new on here so hope I've posted this in the right place! Hope some of you may be able to help me out!!

I got a 2 and a half year old 15hh colt recently, he was totally wild when I got him, but we've managed to develop a good bond and he'll let me groom him all over, he's very confident and is very inquisitive of new things.

The problem is that we cannot get a halter on him, we've tried everything we can think of, we've tried a rope halter, web halter, and headcollars, we've tried desensitizing him, we've tried coaxing him with food, tried everything we've ever done with other horses we've halter trained, and more! We even got out a natural horsemanship guy out and he didn't succeed!

He doesn't seem to be scared of it, he's quite happy to sniff it, chew it, whatever, as long as its not on his head! Its as if he thinks its going to end his 'wild' status!

He desperately needs his feet doing, and I would like to get his teeth checked, as well as getting him castrated! None of this can be done without a halter!

I've tried every method I've ever heard of with him, but nothing seems to be working! I would very much appreciate it if any of you have any ideas on how to get a halter on him!

 

[xxRachelxx]

Could you get a headcollar than undoes at nose as well as head. Then put it round his neck and slowly ease it up to his ears then do up the nose bit? Sorry if you've already tried this!

 

[merlino]

Could you get a headcollar than undoes at nose as well as head. Then put it round his neck and slowly ease it up to his ears then do up the nose bit? Sorry if you've already tried this!

Yeah, have tried this too! But thanks for trying

 

[pastie2]

My advice wont be PC at all, but effective. Make a crush, get him in it, stand on the crush above the colt and put the head collar on. Simple, no mess no fuss.

 

[teddyt]

How long have you been trying? And how frequently?

 

[Fairynuff]

and how long have been 'trolling?' Dart the sod, put a headcollar on him and add a bit of rope so that you can ski down the field after him. I give up, things just get worse and worse and worse...hmph!

 

[Enfys]

My advice wont be PC at all, but effective. Make a crush, get him in it, stand on the crush above the colt and put the head collar on. Simple, no mess no fuss.

I agree, there comes a time when you have to stop the nicey nice approach, especially if he needs attention to his feet etc. He will forgive you. We used to run the feral Dartmoors through a shute and halter them all like that, they all came good in the end.

Here we drop a noose over their heads, slip a loop over the nose and then put a halter and long rope on over the top, as your boy is only halter shy he won't need the rope of course.

Alternately, dope him, although doping doesn't always work so well.

I ranted about untrained youngsters just the other day, yet another example.

Good Luck.

Hi by the way

 

[Ladyinred]

Sent you a PM Merlino.

 

[pastie2]

and how long have been 'trolling?' Dart the sod, put a headcollar on him and add a bit of rope so that you can ski down the field after him. I give up, things just get worse and worse and worse...hmph!

Was this directed to me, have YOU come up with a better idea?

 

[Cedars]

If its essential, i.e. his health is at risk, either dart the bugger or corner him with boards and hope for the best. He will forgive you.

 

[Fairynuff]

Was this directed to me, have YOU come up with a better idea?

no Pastie, not aimed at you at all! Your solution is 100 per cent feasable (sp?). Left to me, Id shoot the git!

 

[merlino]

I have been trying many different ways for a good couple of weeks now.
As you say enfys we have tried all the 'nice' ways so I think we're going to have to do something like what you and pastie2 said. The vets have said they won't do anything with him until he is halter trained, which is irritating because they could easily handle him without, but obviously I understand from a safety point of view!

I just searched to see what 'trolling' meant, and I am genuinely seeking some helpful advice so that I can do the best for this lad.

 

[teddyt]

A couple of weeks is nothing- no time at all to get a headcollar on a wild horse. The fact that you can groom him all over is amazing for a wild horse in such a short space of time.

I would persevere in short sessions, at least twice per day and it will happen. I personally wouldnt use force unless its vital for his immediate welfare. Another couple of weeks shouldnt hurt.

This is a classic example of what happens when people breed and dont handle their youngsters- the poor horse gets stressed, its dangerous and the owner resorts to harsh or bullying tactics to get what they want. This doesnt usually bode well for the future

 

[pastie2]

no Pastie, not aimed at you at all! Your solution is 100 per cent feasable (sp?). Left to me, Id shoot the git!

pfew, I am just so used to bad press!! Sorry if I didnt understand Fairynuff!!!

 

[merlino]

Teddyt - thanks, i have been doing it at least twice a day, and not for too long, if we do it for too long he gets moody so its not worth it, because we'll fall out with each other!!
Its hard to know what to do because I've been going very nicely & calmly with him, but lots of people are telling me to force it upon him due to the way he's acting, as it appears he's being stubborn, even the natural horsemanship guy gave me the number of someone who would 'wrestle' it on him, which I was pretty shocked about!
We've got the facilities to not have to rush it, but his feet are in a sorry state

 

[teddyt]

I personally would just persevere how you are. Good luck

 

[pastie2]

Teddyt - thanks, i have been doing it at least twice a day, and not for too long, if we do it for too long he gets moody so its not worth it, because we'll fall out with each other!!
Its hard to know what to do because I've been going very nicely & calmly with him, but lots of people are telling me to force it upon him due to the way he's acting, as it appears he's being stubborn, even the natural horsemanship guy gave me the number of someone who would 'wrestle' it on him, which I was pretty shocked about!
We've got the facilities to not have to rush it, but his feet are in a sorry state

Well stop pussy footing about and put the bloody head collar on then. It is not rocket science, people manage to put the bloody things on wild ponies to send to market. I am sure if you just tried with a more positive attitude it will happen. How in gods name are you going to break the pony in with this wimpy attitude?

 

[mcnaughty]

I had a similar issue with my foal - she got to 4 weeks old and I was not getting anywhere and she was growing stronger by the day! Anyway, some of you might not like this but hey ho.

I made a noose out of a soft padded leadrope - one of those ones with the loop at one end and managed to flick it over her neck in the stable again and again until she was bored with the idea, then I slipped the other end through the loop so it was round her throat - then hung on - she reared, fell over backwards, kicked, bucked, tried to jump out over the stable door but I hung on - knew I had to because I only had the one chance - in the end she stopped - well actually she had to because she was exhausted and couldn't breath properly! I then very quickly slipped the headcollar on and hey presto done.

Actually from that moment on she was an angel - she never tried it on with me again and is now really affectionate and loving whilst before she was totally wild and very nervious of me.

I know she was a foal and obviously a LOT smaller than your colt but it did work. Perhaps a lungeline might do the trick - but please be very careful!!

 

[lastchancer]

My advice wont be PC at all, but effective. Make a crush, get him in it, stand on the crush above the colt and put the head collar on. Simple, no mess no fuss.

This,
But be aware also that once the headcollar is on, he probably won't automatically be halter trained, at best he'll pull back and refuse to budge or more likely he will pull and run away and unless you weigh fifty stone you wont keep hold of him. Personally I'd tie him up first but at 15hh and nearly 3yo there's a risk he could injure himself badly. Theres a book by an Australian trainer called Jan May and this gives an excellent guide into fitting and using a very simple pressure halter, it's not fluffy or cuddly though but it does work. It's so much easier to handle foals and then turn them away until there bigger.
Good luck with him and please be careful.

 

[amandap]

Invest in some help like here. http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/content/view/47/97/

Forcing his heqadcollar on will not set him up well for the future especially when he already has a problem with it imo. Unless his feet are life threatening I'd wait until he will accept a headcollar then he can be sedated if necessary for any treatment that can't wait for training.

This book 'No fear no force' by Sarah Weston may well help you too.
http://www.logicalhorsemanship.co.uk/

 

[Dry Rot]

You can do it by force and that will work. Or you can do it the slow, safe way. But it will try your patience!

If the horse will eat out of a bucket, let it do so. Bring the head collar up until the horse draws its head back. Withdraw the head collar until the horse returns to the bucket. Do not force the issue.

Now between the two distances (when he will tolerate the head collar and when he won't) is "the threshold".

Using the food as an enticement, move the head collar slowly into the threshold area. When you notice any change in body language that he is about to withdraw, stop. If he won't resume feeding, wihdraw the head collar slightly until he does.

Keep repeating this gradually eroding the threshold. It may take hours every day but as a wise old woman once said to me "Nothing can remain frightened forever". Softly softly is the key. Move the head collar closer and closer until you can actually touch the horse's head with it, withdrawing if the horse looks as if it might become upset. If he wants what's in your bucket, he must tolerate the head collar.

Another way is to have the horse in a loose box and touch it nearer and nearer to its head by the head collar on a long stick. Use the same method as above (approach and withdrawal), but at long range using the head collar tied to the end of the stick to touch the horse along its back, gradually up the neck and finally around its head. As it gets used to the touching, you can dispense with the stick and just do it by hand.

As I've said, it takes longer and you need patience. But I prefer this method.

 

[Enfys]

This is a classic example of what happens when people breed and dont handle their youngsters- the poor horse gets stressed, its dangerous and the owner resorts to harsh or bullying tactics to get what they want. This doesnt usually bode well for the future

Although even very young foals sometimes fight when they have a halter put on for the first time or so, if we gave in and didn't continue with haltering then the foal learns avoidance and that is what doesn't bode well for the future, it is a necessary evil but it doesn't make the breeders into monsters, or the foals head shy.

You are so right though, youngsters NEED to be handled, it is NOT a kindness to just leave them 'to be horses.' What's a few minutes out of 24 hours until they learn to halter, lead and pick up their feet at the very least?

 

[AndySpooner]

A couple of weeks is nothing- no time at all to get a headcollar on a wild horse. The fact that you can groom him all over is amazing for a wild horse in such a short space of time.

I would persevere in short sessions, at least twice per day and it will happen. I personally wouldnt use force unless its vital for his immediate welfare. Another couple of weeks shouldnt hurt.

This is a classic example of what happens when people breed and dont handle their youngsters- the poor horse gets stressed, its dangerous and the owner resorts to harsh or bullying tactics to get what they want. This doesnt usually bode well for the future

I agree with Teddyt, force has got to be the last resort.

 

[ginadrummond]

OK, I leave my foals unhaltered until at least 3 months and it is always really difficult.

Here's what to do (do NOT bully or resort to some of the tactics here)

1. Google velcro headcollars, I have several I think IV horse makes them.

2. start with these, they undo nose and headpiece. I tend to start by grooming with them and then putting them round neck - the velcro will make such a difference and no metallic clinking.

3. You can play with him putting his nose in it.

4. It will take around 3 sessions but once you have the velcro one on the proper one can go on top - with very little issue as you can hold onto the velcro one. Also if he panics the velcro one will easily come off.

Easy, sorted honestly.

 

[Sessle]

Personally I would continue to do it slowly for a while longer and see if there is any improvement, like someone else said the fact that you he will let you groom him all over is an an amazing achievement within the time frame you've said

Everyone has a different approach to halter breaking, as does every horse person with anything equine related, so if you think that he needs more time then don't be pressured by other people, you know the horse the most so you need to do what you think is best for him.

As for suggestions everyone has suggested what I would've said, but I reccomend the velcro headcollars, they sell them on ebay for 7 quid I think?

Good Luck