No real control.

DabDab said:
I know people who seem to get injured leading horses on almost a weekly basis. There is absolutely no explanation to be found in the type of equipment they use for why they so often get themselves into trouble - you have to see them in action to understand the why.

There are very few times I have been hurt when leading a horse (I can count on my fingers the amount of times I have been trodden on, have never been kicked or bitten, but I have once been struck by a front hoof during a rear that was my own fault). The reason is that I am very good at preempting what a horse is about to do and either dealing with the behaviour before it escalates or getting myself out of the way. I prefer to keep bridles for ridden work, I'm not keen on using rope halters, I prefer using a longer rope but also use a shorter one, I wear gloves if it's cold and never wear a hat....is there a school of horsemanship I can sign up too? ;)
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Dunno - but if you find one, can you let me know!
 
Fii said:
That a good idea, for all the endless backing up of horses that wont load !! Or even to drive them backwards into the box!! :D i still like my winch/ratchet idea best though, along with DS's cattle prod! ;)
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It was either my tallyholter, or, dress up like a carrot. Since carrot costume requires me to remortgage my caravan, zapping up my halter was significantly cheaper...
 
Just to add my two cents...I think you should put your horse in a bridle if it makes you feel more in control...each to their own.

And in fact at Ascot sales ( and I believe at other TB sales too?) there is a rule which states "All horses must be presented at all times in either a bridle or chifney and not on any account on a head collar' .
 
I've heard people can talk to horses... Why can't we all just learn 'Orse and just tell 'em what we want them to do????
 
Pale Rider said:
Just heard about someone who was trying to lead a horse using a bridle because it was difficult and they wanted more 'control'. Anyway, they've had an accident and been klonked on the shoulder. It's a myth that a bit and bridle give you control. You need a rope headcollar, a 12 foot line and respect from the horse. If you don't have all three, leave well alone.
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Every horse and handler are different. What works for one may not work for another, part of what makes them such interesting animals. You can't just slap a "one size fits all" attitude to training and handling. And if a bridle gives the handler more confidence and the ability to take control of the situation, even just mentally then I would advise them to continue using the bridle. Sometimes an attitude change is all that's needed, and sometimes "props" are required to lend the confidence to do this.
 
Auslander said:
I beg to differ - back in the dim and distant past, I did a lot of sales prep of yearling TB colts, and of warmbloods for the continental sales. I feel most comfortable right behind the shoulder, close to the horse. The people who got landed on were generally those jumped out of the way, whereas those who stayed close, and pulled the little stinkers head round, were the ones who kept their feet close to the ground and got them going forwards again quickly
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This every day. I've always been taught closer is safer, and in the situation of unpredictable youngsters it most definately is!
 
amymay said:
This every day. I've always been taught closer is safer, and in the situation of unpredictable youngsters it most definately is!
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Good point Amymay. That is what you personally have always been taught.

If they watch video of Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt, Martin Black, etc etc... work with a lively youngster (with their longer tool) maybe people will appreciate that we aren't always taught the ONLY way to be safe around horses. Just because our experience is limited to knowing how to do things one way, that doesn't mean that we know everything does it? Or are people's experiences really so limited that they think what they think they know is the full picture?
 
p.s. Leading with anything is acceptable, chunks of mane, anything you like. However PR's post said "Just heard about someone who was trying to lead a horse using a bridle because it was difficult and they wanted more 'control'."
I guess nobody is going to suggest that leading by a chunk of mane will give more control than a bridle.
 
I would have more control of my dog on a shorter lead - I've always believed the same of horses. I'd be even less likely to use a long rope on a difficult to handle horse... I don't need te extra length to stop them pulling free, as I've learnt not to let go. On a racing yard I worked at before doing a stint in aus, where we handled the yearling and two year old tbs, it was simple - they get loose of you, you bought ALL the beers. Not being a very well paying job this meant you quickly learnt how to hold on no matter what. I am very good at getting out of the way of feet. Like I said previously, if I have a really tricky one, I used a stallion chain, but I wouldn't give them any extra rope - just gives them more room to pick up speed before the contact hits...
 
Auslander said:
I manage pretty well with a normal length rope, even when they're being idiots, because I prefer to be close, with an elbow in the shoulder if necessary.
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My preferred method, by far. But always good to hear the experiences of others.

Don't know whether I should admit to just opening the gate and letting them come in on their own, these days.
 
cptrayes said:
This.

I would be ashamed of myself if I routinely had to use a 12 foot rope to lead my horses.
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I find myself using them quite a lot, because they are already attached to halters, I leave them rolled up ;) :)

I think they are on the halters because that is what looked prettiest at the tack store, I don't ask owners why they choose specific leadlines.
I hate them, they have those godawful bullclips on them.
 
slumdog said:
I use a head collar, clip rope, clip rope round their neck, item of clothing round their neck, just their rug, but sometimes they just follow me with nothing at all. I detest Parelli and have never done NH in my life, we just like and respect each other. Although I never knew it was a competition!
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This^^^^
 
Fii said:
Actually i need a 12 foot rope for my mare when loading her, i could tie it to a ratchet at the front of the box and just wind her in!! :D
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You say that but I know someone who did just that with a very obstinate haflinger! Kelly Marks didn't get this horse loading properly but outsmart him and he just gave up... he now loads beautifully in a more conventional way :)


WRT to the long/short rope in pratting around youngsters, I suppose the height of the handler comes into play? A tall handler with a 17hh horse is less likely to be hoisted into the air when it goes up (like I did!), than a shorter person when both using a short rope.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
We really should think of a name for our school of horsemanship - you never know we might be able to make our fortunes with a bit of good marketting!
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I've been trying to think of one, the problem is that reality and marketing aren't always all that compatible ;) What ever we call it we should definitely have private members' clubs and a secret handshake though :D
 
amandap said:
I lied as well! I have 2 short ropes, one has a bull clip! I don't use it, it's a real pain and so heavy.

ps. Actually, I suppose it's not a bull clip it's a bit like this with a slide mechanism.
http://www.saddlerywarehouse.co.nz/...22/ID=23361/SID=303177815/productdetails.html
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:( Yep. So called quick release/panic clips, lethal things. I have them on trailer ties, if they are clipped to ring end on trailer, stable etc and you manage to undo them in an emergency the bloody things are guaranteed to hit either you, or the horse in the eye. If they are on the halter end when a horse is having a frothy how the hell are you meant to get close enough to undo the things? I use them on zip lines for tethering goats, and ponies, excellent for that job :D

These are what I think of as bull clips :



http://yknotropetack.com/prodimages/2012/Hardware/Trigger bull snaps.jpg
 
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Trigger%20bull%20snaps.jpg


Bull clip. I need two hands to open the silly things :(
 
At the risk of upsetting people, how does a thread that started out talking about how to get more control of a horse end up with people boasting about how they can lead their horses round by the rug, mane, left hind leg etc? I'm sure a lot of people can do all sorts of things at home in their field and yard. Good for them.
This tends to happen here a lot. Someone starts a discussion about an issue, then people chip in with how wonderful they and their horses are, which while it's a little bit interesting maybe (or not), doesn't prove anything or contribute to the original question.
(I may be grumpy because I've been sat here working since 6 am, if so ignore me!).
p.s. Come back PR and look at what you've done, as if you didn't know...
 
Patterdale said:
My horse levitates in to avoid churning the field, then cooks me a full English.

I have to help him with breaking the eggs but other than that he's on his own.
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If he can do the ironing as well I will buy him.
I won't try him properly or have him vetted then in a fortnight I will post complaining that I am gaining wieght ( all those full English ) and I have been misold a dangerous horse.
 
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