Leading advice - not my pony...

Riverboy

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 June 2008
Messages
747
Visit site
Hi all

I am getting very worried and frustrated. My friend and I help each other out either end of the day and I turn out our two horses. Been doing so since about September. Now Bell does walk quicker than Luna but until two weeks ago Luna always kept up pretty well and trotted to catch up when left behind - the feilds are a good ten minutes walk away and we do go at a fair pace due to time constraints (you all know what its like!)...

The last two weeks Luna has refused to move, tucked herself in behind (literally nose touching Bella's behind) Bella and refused to go through the gate - resulting in me getting a fair few electric shocks from the gate trying to negotiate the two of them when Luna has planted her feet. I've now got a very sore shoulder and am thinking of telling her owner until we get this sorted I'll pay the yard to turn out and bring in mine as its making me late in the mornings...

I've tried encouraging her with my voice - trouble is Bella is very sensitive and goes faster when I gee Luna along and gets VERY upset it I get cross at Luna (she doesn't like anything loud or agressive). I can't get behind Luna and drive her forwards (again because it upsets Bell) and I slow Bell down as much as possible but the more we slow down the more Luna slows down!

So.... basically.... HELP! Anyone got any ideas how I can get Luna walking forwards again? Any ideas why she's suddenly stopped wanting to go in the feild?! I thought about suggesting to her owner that we practice leading the two of them between us and reeducating Luna to keep up. She is a VERY opionated and stubborn Haflinger who can be a cheeky madam. I don't want to let her owner down but this morning getting three electric shocks from the gate, Bella getting very agitated and being late all because Luna was refusing point blank to step into the field is bringing me to the conclusion something needs to be sorted!

A nice hot coffee and pain au chocolat for everyone this winters morning...

xx
 
If the stopping is at the gate could it be that Luna has had a shock too? In which case it is still a pain but you are totally in the same position as the pony!

Your idea of practising with her owner sounds good.
 
Tickles - she resists walking (think thewell pony digging heels in) all the way to the feild but once we get to the gate she then point blank refuses to move anywhere!

I think she may have got a few through the leadrope (as thats how I'm getting a few) but the more she refuses to move on - the more we're both getting as I have to shut the gate to let go of Bell, but can't let go of Luna's leadrope as she just runs back to the stable.

Interestingly she is VERY forward coming in - and once or twice has actually bolted to the stables in the evenings...

Strange little haflinger!
 
Top