Mini Rant - Why don't people teach their horses basic manners - like leading nicely?

horserider said:
Horse's aren't daft. They behave according to the expectations of the handler. Doesn't take long for an experienced handler to gain compliance from a horse. The problem is that when someone else is asked to bring horses in, in pairs on a wet, windy night unless the horses are well trained, even the most competent handler is put at risk.

Lovely, ex YO nearly died after a kick, all because she failed to insist that any DIY horses she handled where taught basic manners. She was too tolerant. She sometimes had 27 horses to bring in and had to crack on without messing about. The owners should have ensured their horses were safe to lead. I felt it was criminally negligent to ignore very difficult behaviour and then ask someone else to bring in, knowing the risk.
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Agree ^^^ and so sad about your ex YO:(. I have a haffie mare and another stroppy mare on my yard alongside an older gent cob. We have had to be firm and consistent with the girls to ensure that the are safe and mannerly on the ground as both had learned that big lasses can be strong.
 
Yep, same at my yard.

A 3yr old and a 5yr old. I stop and they stop. I walk and they walk at my shoulder. I jog on the spot (because it amuses me to keep them on their toes, see if they're paying attention!) and they start trotting. Bend to pick feet and they lift up for you. They swing about like pendulums in the stable to get out of your way if you're pottering about.

And they do it for anybody, not just me. People are always amazed & immensley admirable that such young horses are so nice - I just don't get it! They get a little leeway but if they get a bit too pushy, they get put back in their place.

Time and effort, not something people want to spare these days :D
 
I quite agree with you OP.

When my lad first came to me he was okay to lead. He needed checking and would try and pull to get to grass, his stable and breakfast. Not acceptable - I'm on full livery - I don't expect the staff to have to put up with that. I've put in lots of ground work and now he follows at my shoulder with a loose rope - he'd follow without but for safety he's kept on a rope. He's good as gold for the staff thank goodness - I'd be mortified if he wasn't.

I have had the 'honour' to lead a few other liveries and the riding school ponies. They do like to try it on - but with firm handling they do respond. By firm I don't mean punishment, just a check with the lead rope, standing my ground, a growl and usually that does the trick.

It frustrates me when the pony owners say 'Awhh, he's just being a pony' whilst said pony is dragging a member of staff across the yard :mad:.
 
Whoopit said:
Yep, same at my yard.

A 3yr old and a 5yr old. I stop and they stop. I walk and they walk at my shoulder. I jog on the spot (because it amuses me to keep them on their toes, see if they're paying attention!) and they start trotting. Bend to pick feet and they lift up for you. They swing about like pendulums in the stable to get out of your way if you're pottering about.

s :D
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Must try the jogging on the spot trick :D
I was leading him back to paddock yesterday and came to a rather sudden stop as the lead pulled tight. I pulled on the rope before realising that he'd stopped for a pee and was looking at me with a somewhat aggrieved expression on his face I did apologise :o
 
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