Leading with leadrope wrapped around the nose?

shysmum said:
It puts additional pressure on the horse via the nose, and they really do seem to behave better, and have more respect for you. BUT it should only be done by someone who knows what they're doing (not saying you don't, just for other readers ;) ).

You may find a dually headcollar, or a controller headcollar helps. I have a thin knotted headcollar as my lad can be bolshy, and it works a treat.
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A rope around the nose, even in the hands of a novice (which OP plainly isn't :D) is a lot safer for the horse than a dually or controller h/c (in the hands of a novice, they can be a lethal bit of kit and cause far more damage)

If it gives you that bit of respect you need OP then there's nothing wrong in using it to your advantage at all but don't fall into the trap of using it all the time otherwise it won't always have the same effect. :)
 
I've tried it on my horse before, found it moderately effective. Did worry I was being cruel until I ended up on crutches with a knee injury after she dragged me off one day.
Now I've got a 'be nice' halter (which looks anything but nice!) Very rarely do I have to apply any pressure on it, but if she's in a mood she can still charge off in it. Only trouble is I really struggle to lead her in a normal headcollar now; even though she's usually good to lead, as soon as I change back to a normal headcollar she takes advantage.
 
After my arm and socket almost parting ways, I use this technique with my boy on ocassion, or if her gets led further away than usual.

It stops the "I want to go over there, eat that blade of grass/ say hello to the mare who will inevitably try and bite me/ sniff that poo and me with the I need you to go this way argument." Which I inevitably loose being a mere puny human.

My boy is strong, and very large. He knows he is stronger than me, and although he knows I'm boss he still likes to try his luck occasionally.

Personally if it saves me an injury, or some aches pains and rope burn then I'll loop the rope over his nose. He doesn't even try pull when I put the rope there and pretends to be a saint...

Plus it saves him dragging to rope out of my hands, wandering off and nearly tripping over it. Which would by far cause the bigger injury (he did this in his 10 acre field - I was wincing watching him have a good old canter after his friends - lesson well and truly learnt... Luckily with no injuries, apart from a sore hand!)
 
It's much easier IMO to just use a halter all the time. We get nice cheap cow halters from the local farm store. They work with pressure on the nose if the horse starts to pull. If it stops pulling the pressure releases. The only time we use a headcollar is for travelling, which is the one time you don't want to exert pressure.
 
Yes, I've done this if the horse doesn't respond to an "OI !", a couple of firm jerks on the rope and using (the point of) your elbow in the base of their neck when they get a bit too bolshy while being led.
I have used a lunge line round the nose and up over the head (NOT for novice handlers) in a particular configuration to act as a pressure halter. That particular horse was tricky to catch, but once you had him, he would run right over the top of you and bolt across the field to the gate (chunky 15.2hh Clydesdale cross cob). Once in, he was an absolute sweetheart, but bringing him in (not turning out - he only did this when coming in) led to a few people getting hurt after either being knocked over or having the rope wrenched through their hands. Rope over the nose didn't work with this guy (commercial driving horse).
I have a dually halter for my own, and a rope halter for in hand showing (M&M Breed).
 
Gingerwitch said:
I have found on 99% of horses it does the trick, it saves you being run off with, or janking at them which i think is worse - you can pull their neck out etc BUT with my little lad it sends him MENTAL - he is like a balloon on a windy day at worst so i can hang onto him - but he is the only horse i have found that plays up more with it than without it !
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I agree (re 99%) it is a bit like twitching works on 95% of horses and the minority go bonkers. Far better to use this method, then say a chiffney which can be horrid if used by someone who is inexperienced.
 
You could also look into a Dually headcollar, which uses the same priciple. My horse was so naughty until I got one of these and it just reminds them who is boss, like you say esp when it's muddy and they know their own strength!
 
I won't be using it as a long term thing. It really isn't that bad. But hard to get control when I am struggling to balance myself when she decides to turn in and "crab" her way in. Dam mud. If it were dry she would get a dig in the chest and shove back! I have used chifneys before (only on 2 Horses) but she really isn't bad enough to be in one of these so I wouldn't use one with her. Dually is something I would consider. Although hopefully she will get the message now and I won't have to resort to that.
 
I do this with M. He will make a dive for the grass given half a chance,but once the rope is over his nose he doesn't bother! He is an opportunist! My mare on the other hand can be a bit of a handful on the ground if we have to come down the lane as she can be spooky and traffic shy,she wears a stallion chain which she has much respect for, don't even need to use it, as long as it's there she will behave herself!
 
I do this when bringing my horse in at night during winter. Usually my pair are the last ones out and are rather keen to come in! Just having a rope over the nose makes a world of difference - I rarely have to tug on the rope - just the rope being over the nose is enough to make them behave :)
 
mandwhy said:
Honestly there's always someone who thinks something is cruel, does my head in. Yes it should be done with pressure and release in mind but definitely not cruel (unless you think leading in a bridle or a horse wearing a bridle at all would be cruel), could someone tell the horses that dragging a human over face first into mud is cruel please?

My horse is an angel to lead at home but when I take her out in hand she does exactly that and turns into me which is horrible, I lead in a bridle, maybe I could try a rope halter but not quite convinced I'd have enough control on the roads!
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I lead my big boy in a bridle too. The bit seems to keep him a bit more occupied and he thinks it means work so he behaves himself. Had been leading off a headcollar for a while but with the grass going in the field and nice grass still long up the narrow lane and the middle getting muddy and it being dark he has realised if he just wants to walk off where he wants i cannot do a lot with a headcollar on so he is back in a bridle!
 
mandwhy said:
Honestly there's always someone who thinks something is cruel, does my head in. Yes it should be done with pressure and release in mind but definitely not cruel (unless you think leading in a bridle or a horse wearing a bridle at all would be cruel), could someone tell the horses that dragging a human over face first into mud is cruel please?

My horse is an angel to lead at home but when I take her out in hand she does exactly that and turns into me which is horrible, I lead in a bridle, maybe I could try a rope halter but not quite convinced I'd have enough control on the roads!
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Don't think anyone has said it's cruel, have they? :)
 
I'd do nose if one off - and have with ignorant old lump of a horse on a couple of occasions.

I'd get controller headcollar if required frequently.

Worth checking insurance if you are on roads, as most aren't covered if only in headcollar not bridle, even just leading back to grazing.

I'd never go through mouth though as last person I know who did this doesn't have a horse anymore.
 
I did a lot of work with stallions when I was working at a stud, and so this is automatic now. Either over the nose, or if they're real pigs the rope goes in their mouth. That works beautifully!
 
LaurenBay said:
Oh I agree. I myself don't see a problem with it.
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I think cruel is used where unpleasant or not what I do or how I do it is a more accurate use of language .
I was a welfare officer I know what proper cruel looks like and it's not wrapping a rope round a horses nose for a few minutes.
It does annoy me to see it overused .
 
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