Horse getting strong and cheeky?

X

xxcxx

Active Member
Joined
10 September 2015
Messages
46
Visit site
My 3 and a half yo cob who i have had since he was a year old has always been great to work with and just did anything that i asked of him.My car broke down probably 4-6 months ago and just bought a new one 2 weeks ago.I have worked my horse twice a week since and he is just so strong and cheeky.Lunged him a few minutes on each rein and he kept pulling on me and he is so much stronger.Although i did keep hold of him,he dragged me for a few steps.I had to put the rope over his nose for control but will probably buy a lunging headcollar or dually.Tonight leading him to the field,i asked for a few steps of trot,asked him to walk but he kept going so ended up getting away so i chased after him and he cantered to the field.Also he keeps pulling to trees and putting his head down to grass when leading him.I do make him back up but he just doesnt seem to care.Do you think that will work if i am consistant with it? and when he pulls away what do i do? I am going to be going up to work him every second day so hoping being in regular/consistant work is the answer.
 
After your car broke down, 4 -6 months ago, are you saying you haven't worked him since you recently got the new car? If that's the case, sounds like you need to go back to basics again. He's a growing boy and finding his feet.
 
I hadnt worked him in the 4-6 months but the past 2 weeks i have been spending time with him and worked him a few times.Just leading,lunged once and back up etc He knew everything i asked of him before when i used to work with him.
 
xxcxx said:
I hadnt worked him in the 4-6 months but the past 2 weeks i have been spending time with him and worked him a few times.Just leading,lunged once and back up etc He knew everything i asked of him before when i used to work with him.
Click to expand...

He's 3 - he's still very, very young and green so maybe you are expecting too much of him after a break?
 
Im not expecting him to be perfect,just looking for advice on what correction would be best for the things he is doing before he learns that he can keep at it because im being too soft on him or too tough and he keeps it up because he doesnt trust me or something and also if he would get better with a bit of consistancy.dont want him just to be good when he wants to be.today i led someone elses horse into its stable and when i raised my hand,it backed straight up towards the back of the stable and i would like mine to be similar..back up as soon as i ask,everytime etc For now he wont be worked hard or everyday and when he is worked it will be for 10/20 minutes on leading,moving from pressure etc When he pulls when leading,i make him back up a few steps then stand quietly at his shoulder a few seconds then ask him to walk.is this a good way to teach him? Should i praise him before asking him to walk on again (after standing quietly?)
 
xxcxx said:
i led someone elses horse into its stable and when i raised my hand,it backed straight up towards the back of the stable and i would like mine to be similar..back up as soon as i ask,everytime etc
Click to expand...

But that horse will have been taught how to do that - as you have a 3 year old it is your job to teach him how. They don't just automatically know.

xxcxx said:
When he pulls when leading,i make him back up a few steps then stand quietly at his shoulder a few seconds then ask him to walk.is this a good way to teach him? Should i praise him before asking him to walk on again (after standing quietly?)
Click to expand...

Backing up is actually quite difficult for a young horse to do, both physically and mentally. You would be just as well just asking him to stand, wait until he is standing quietly and then move him on. The other alternative is to lead with a long lead rope/lunge line, and if he pulls turn him on a circle around you - I'm not talking lunging, just a small circle to put him off balance a little and slow him down - he will soon cotton on that pulling means hard work. Do you lead in a head collar? If you do you could try a rope halter.
 
Im not expecting him to be perfect,just looking for advice on what correction would be best for the things he is doing before he learns that he can keep at it because im being too soft on him or too tough and he keeps it up because he doesnt trust me or something and also if he would get better with a bit of consistancy.dont want him just to be good when he wants to be.today i led someone elses horse into its stable and when i raised my hand,it backed straight up towards the back of the stable and i would like mine to be similar..back up as soon as i ask,everytime etc For now he wont be worked hard or everyday and when he is worked it will be for 10/20 minutes on leading,moving from pressure etc When he pulls when leading,i make him back up a few steps then stand quietly at his shoulder a few seconds then ask him to walk.is this a good way to teach him? Should i praise him before asking him to walk on again (after standing quietly?)
 
Take a look at Ben Hart (Harts Horsemanship). it is based on positive reinforcement, and everything is broken down into tiny steps. The leading one is really good, and gives you a lot to think about, rather than just leading forwards in a straight line.

Ground work is important, and you need to think that everytime you are attached to your pony you are actually training him. I never stop ground work training, and every time I hold my horse we do some training. It may be as simple as walk on- halt- walk on while he is at my shoulder, or halt- back up- halt with a verbal cue as I'm bringing him in from the field. It's a great way of building a bond with your pony, and makes handling in general so much easier. Yesterday I brought my mare in from the field, up a grass track and across the yard without a lead rope, as she is happy to walk beside me without any attachement.
 
Kelly Marks "Perfect Manners" book was a godsend with my rather awkward 4yr old. And I swear by the dually, it's the only thing as a youngster my horse wouldn't barge through and that's including a chiffney!

Look at the Intelligent Horsemanship website, that and a good dose of common sense will see you through, you are quite right to want to instill manners. At that age & after a break I agree, start at the beginning to remind him of what he has already learned, praise is good and try to read the signals before he goes so you are 1 step ahead. As Casey says, groundwork is key to a good relationship and he is still very young so take your time to explain clearly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top