on that note on youngsters..

donablue

donablue

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i have a 14 month old and she is ok leading so far then all of a sudden she out runs you.
i still have hold of her but then she will run to plough you down.

i have tried to do it all over again but she still does it..

im not the tallest of people and shes nearly 14hh..

im fairly confident around her and with her but the chasing well thats just difficult as i dont want 4 hooves trampling me..

i am familiar with 2yr olds, but not as young as this.
any advice would be helpful.
 
Back when my coloured cob was a bolshy yearling colt and he used to charge away from me I began leading him in a chifney bit, yes, it is somewhat harsh but it did the job to get him out of the habit, teach him that that behaviour is unacceptable and keep everyone safe at the same time. I used it consistently for a while and it did the trick.
 
I'd second the blue pipe, my friend had a stallion (only 13hh) that we ALWAYS handled with a pipe, he was such a b**t**d that he just try and kill you if you were unarmed...needless to say he has since lost his balls! Naughty pony!
 
blue pipe sure ive seen that in someone elses post .
im assuming carry it with me and give her a wee telling with it
bluesashdezzie.jpg



added a picture shes the one in the middle.
 
My horse used to be a complete nightmare to lead - very strong. He would swing his head sideways at me and threaten to rear - we would end up spinning in circles! My saviour was the be nice halter - a friend showed me how to use it - I started off in the school with
it... before I knew it my horse began to listen to me when being led (never had too much problem riding him)...and I would be leading him from his field in the dark after work wind howling rain pouring!
(You must respect the halter though and be aware of how much pressure you apply as I have read you can damage the poll if heavyhanded.) This all happened some years back - he's in a normal halter now and listens to my voice and leads brilliantly.
 
yes, carry it with you whenever you handle her and if she steps out of line a whack across the chest should do the trick. Its thick enough that it won't hurt but the the noise tends to put most of them off.

A showing producer I know also recommends a bamboo cane, but personally have no experience with that so I couldn't recommend it, maybe someone else has used one?

Good luck
 
I had something called a lincoln coupling when my lad was lickle,dont even know if they still sell them but if they do they are fab,strip of nylon with 3 couplings that attatch to headcollar,the strip runs through a ring at the end,you attatch lead rope to it and it tightens across nose as they pull,was amazing piece of kit!Agree with the piping and a short sharp slap at the right moment,she will soon learn to respect your space
smile.gif
 
Hi,
You need to work on "Your space" "Her Space" and the "work space".
Your space - she stays out of, unless you invite her in, this include leapingon, standing on, nudging (which we humanise as cute but in effect is something else) etc...
Her Space - you can enter this at any point, move any part of her you wish and move out of it again without question.
Work space - this is the 'doing' zone, whether it is simply grooming her in the stable, you put her in a position and then expect her to stay there until you are finished. (OK with youngsters don't make that forever - short n sweet to start).

This is where the boundaries start, and the understanding of what is expected, accepted and a big 'no-no' will be laid out plain and clear.

She moves into your space: Reaction - back her out of it, instantly, no messing, no silliness, just workmanlike, back back back back back - how ever many she took forward, put her back.

Don't use physical force either - she's already testing this boundary and you'll just emphasise the fact that she is much stronger than you. Backing up from pressure - apply only enoough for her to react - so start gentle when she responds immediatley react and relieve the pressure.

This takes a time and very consistent handling from your part, with no emotion, just workmanlike.
Youngsters do challenge you and will seek to see if today the boundaries have changed.

We have a stallion who at 16hh and 14years has spent almost every day of his life seeing if the boundaries can change, however, he doesn't ever cross into my space, he simply nudges forward - but if uncorrected the next step for him is abit more and abit more etc....

I'm 5'6 and about 8 stone, I lead and handle the young colts who can reach 17hh in this manner, I have no strength to meet their strength in that respect, so I must be master in other ways.

This respect starts before you even lead her, in the stable or field, think - am I letting her invade my space and dictate things here - or is she waiting for my command.

Mares I find can really really test you, they're tough cookies, and more than the others (geldings & stallions) you have to really sort out this respect if you have an intelligent and strong willed mare. I found though that once you command this - they're fantastic horses and do go that extra mile for you.

Good luck.
 
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