Leading manners

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saddlesore

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Hey guys, my 2yo is good to lead most of the time but if I am taking him for an inhand walk I find he really slugs along at the end of the rope on the way out and much better on the way home :o He will trot behind me but will not walk any faster! I already use a rope halter and long rope- any tips? Btw these are short walks and with another horse so not exhausted/scared.
 
Now if I'm thinking right that puts him in a driving position behind you. He is dictating the pace you both go at and maybe in his eyes is also putting him in charge?

I wonder if you could start teaching him to long rein from his headcollar? make things more interesting?

Have you tried flicking him with end of the rope or carrying a schooling whip to give him a tickle?
 
just be careful if a rope halter, that's what I used on my boy at 2 and he started rearing, I then swapped to a dually to help, which it has but my physio has told me to use a standard head collar and lead him in his bridel now as he is very very sore across his poll! if its not causing him any pain on his poll id would apply pressure until he is at your shoulder then release and when he lags behind apply again until he's at your shoulder again, so he will realise that at your shoulder is the sweet place to be! please don't let him lag behind, I've heard that hard way!! rope halter made the boy rear, and he was being me, knocked me in the back! so will never let him lag behind me now! id rather be behind him than in front!
 
Do NOT apply pressure with the rope halter, or a headcollar or a bridle to move the horse forwards. Keep the rope loose, stand at the shoulder and either swish/tap with a schooling whip or wave a rope towards the quarters and allow the horse to move forwards immediately.
 
Thanks guys, not been wanting to pull, he's generally very cooperative but I'd agree that he is subtly controlling things atm. Will try schooling whip - would you rate the dually? It doesn't use poll pressure does it?
 
I would be doing some groundwork at the yard/field, using a schooling whip as an aid on his side to ask for forward steps (tap to ask for forward and continue to tap - increasing the intensity - until he walks on) immediately stop tapping the minute he steps forwards. He will then learn what the aid means and eventually you will merely have to lightly tap his side. You also need to ask for halt/park and for him to back up.

When out walking, do not be too keen to ask him to walk forwards out of a rhythm that suits him. Do not be tempted to push him go walk faster as this will push him out of balance. Slow down yourself and walk beside him. Ok, so don't let him stop but don't push him out of his comfort zone and hassle him to walk faster. They are still growing and are unbalanced and you risk pushing them out of this if you try make him walk faster than he's comfortable with.
 
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