Need some advice please on leading

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inthehills

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I'd be really grateful if anyone has some tips on improving my pony on the lead rein.

I have a 4yo highland, not yet backed but we've been long reining for the past four months. He is brilliant on the long rein- confident, will do a lovely active walk and trot to voice command and really seems to enjoy it.
Different story on the lead rein- when I walk next to him he constantly gravitates towards me. I push him away with my hand which might work for a few minutes at the most. Generally though, if he's not trying to be where I am, instead he is turning his head to touch my hand with his nose.
I use the same commands as for long reining and this seems to work for turning or stopping, but I cant make him do an active walk, or trot for anything! he just puts his ears back and looks sulky.

I'd like him to lead better in general, but I also really want to improve him as at the moment it is indirectly making him dangerous to lead. To get him from the field to his stable we have to go down a steep bank which is now very muddy and slippery. As he's constantly trying to be in my space I'm worried one of these days he'll slip and take me out with him.

Many thanks in advance :)
 
dually or benice / ropehalter and basic groundwork. He has to learn that his head stays where YOU put it. Carrying a showcane may also help and as soon as he steps over into your space give him a prod with the end to step back over.
 
The traditional method to keep a pony at a respectful distance is to use the point of your elbow, plus what has already been suggested. I prefer to use a stick about an inch in diameter with a blunt point on the end. The pony then learns that if it comes too close it will encounter the end of the stick which is uncomfortable. The nub of the matter is that the pony chooses what to do. The stick is kept stationary without poking, the pony can push against it but that is uncomfortable so (hopefully!) it doesn't! Does that make sense?
 
many thanks for the replies, will have a go with the suggestions :-)
I'm not sure if he's distracted all the time because I'm next to him or sulking a bit because he evidently enjoys being at the front!
 
It doesn't matter why he's doing it, it matters that he shouldn't. As Dry Rot suggests get a poking stick and ensure he runs into it whenever he moves into a space you don't want him to be. I use a rope halter, if my horse attempts to come past me she will be stopped and backed up a couple of paces then we resume our progress. I will do it for hours if necessary, but they soon learn and you have to be consistent.
 
He doesn't try and come past me- he either drifts sideways into me or would go behind me if I let him. It's like someone has left the handbrake on! he gets slower and slower and will plant sometimes although he isn't allowed to get his way with that one. It's like two different ponies when long reining and leading.
 
I think most young horses do this which in itself is interesting. If they are running in a herd, would it be the instinct to keep in physical contact? So, OP, maybe it is a compliment to you! Anyway, you don't want it, you could be trodden on, and you are right to discourage it.
 
That's a very nice thought :-) I like to think that we're starting to build up a bond but as I've only had him 6 months we still have a lot to find out about each other!
 
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