Manners

[Eliza2009]

Just a quick one.....

How do you in still good manners with your horse?

I am wanting my ned to learn to be patient and not to keep cutting across me when I am leading her..

Any suggestions would be great.

 

[Anglebracket]

Circling can help with this. Many horses will think twice about cutting in front of the handler if it means extra work for them.

 

[FanyDuChamp]

Circling can help with this. Many horses will think twice about cutting in front of the handler if it means extra work for them.

This and backing up. I could not begin to count the number of times my lad was circled for rudeness. When we got him it literally took 4 people to lead him down the yard, he was 17-3hh of attitude and aggression. I won't tolerate rudeness, no matter what. Walk out the stable before asked, back up back into it. Walk in front of me or pull me to grass etc. round you go. I have even taken him back to his field gate and done it all again if he was being a real a*se. It takes time and a lot of patience but they get the message. He can now be led on the knot end and will walk politely by my side. The only exception is when he has his jumping boots on, then he piaffes down to the school, but I forgive him that because, whilst he is not terribly good at it, he does love to jump! He walks nicely back.

Hope you can get it sorted.
FDC

 

[country girl]

Monty Roberts Dually Halters are really good for teaching them manners.

 

[Supertrooper]

Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard. So like someone else said, circle her round you when she cuts across you xx

 

[Eliza2009]

Do you circle towards you or away from you?

I would say away from me...is this right?

She is a 16.3hh 2 year old so want to get it right from the start.

 

[xloopylozzax]

personally i wouldnt circle. Stop, go back, yield side to side but i wouldnt circle. What are you leading her in? bridle? Headcollar and lungeline? Rope looped over nose for quick control when she starts playing up?

Are you wearing gloves, hat sturdy boots etc?

 

[**Vanner**]

Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard.

If my boys try this I turn them round, take five steps in the opposite direction and then try again - they soon get the message.

 

[Foxhunter49]

I agree about not circling them but either yielding away or backing up. If you do circle them it should be away from you which is not always easy if they are ahead of you.

I prefer the Be nice halters to the Dually one.

Half of the problems with leading begin in the stables. Make sure that when you enter the stable she moves back at least two or three steps to give you room. Same again when you put the feed in, she should move away from you.

When leading her out the stable open the door and make sure she stands back and waits until you ask her to walk forward and out the door.

Everything must be on your say so and teaches her to respect your space at all times. Once this is established in the stable it will carry on to leading her out.