Manners when leading a young horse

[Justwandering]

Hi, i have had my rising 3 year old gelding for 8 weeks now. He is a sweet boy and happily leeds out to the field round the yard etc as good as gold. I have started to introduce leading him around the school and he has started to get a bit bolshly and does not always listen to me. We would rather see whats going out outside of the school rather than listen to me! He has no respect for my space and tries to push me out the way with his shoulders. I had until now been leading him only from the left side but have started to do so from the right which seems to unsettle him a bit (puts him out of his comfort zone I feel) it and he gets a bit nifty with his heals which I think is a bit of excitemnt of just plain stroppy - not sure!! Other than persisting which I will obviously do any tips to help with this issue? Thanks!

 

[Clodagh]

I've got one the same age but I bred him so it is a bit different as it is only me who has handled him. I would carry a stick, or people on here with a lot more knowledge than me say a length of blue pipe, and use that to keep him out of your space. I have never hit mine but you can sory of point the stick into his shoulder to reinforce your personal space. Also make sure he understands 'walk on' woah' and 'over' and 'back', which can be taught in or just outside his stable when he has less distractions. Remember he has the attention span of a peanut!

 

[AdorableAlice]

Hi, i have had my rising 3 year old gelding for 8 weeks now. He is a sweet boy and happily leeds out to the field round the yard etc as good as gold. I have started to introduce leading him around the school and he has started to get a bit bolshly and does not always listen to me. We would rather see whats going out outside of the school rather than listen to me! He has no respect for my space and tries to push me out the way with his shoulders. I had until now been leading him only from the left side but have started to do so from the right which seems to unsettle him a bit (puts him out of his comfort zone I feel) it and he gets a bit nifty with his heals which I think is a bit of excitemnt of just plain stroppy - not sure!! Other than persisting which I will obviously do any tips to help with this issue? Thanks!

Oh dear, another young horse that was not taught to lead, yield, turn and halt at weaning. Why do breeders not do this simple, life long lesson at weaning.

My opinion only, I would use a rope halter and teach the pressure/release. Use hat and gloves for safety and do a short piece of work everyday until the youngster will walk at your side, turn, reverse and wait without you having to haul it around. I do carry a piece of pipe with my 2 year old but have never needed to use it beyond it being a visual aid.

With the greatest of respect OP, if you have not handled a young horse that has not been properly halter broken before, you may want to enlist help from an experienced young horse handler. Again only my opinion, a horse that has not been correctly halter broken is very likely to be a pain to handle on the ground for the rest of it's life.