Pony being dangerous to lead

[Hormonal Filly]

He’s 28, he does it every spring and with my OA, there’s not much I can do now. I need a solution for tomorrow, not long term at his age

A friend has an old boy in his late 20s, he decided to get more bargy in his early 20s and she started using a chiffney. He respects it and she doesn’t have any issues with it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’d have him in a chifney after the first hospital trip!
I’m a big chifney fan and wouldn’t hesitate to use one. They only cause pain if you yank them round.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Another thing I've done with rude ones before is wrap the rope round their nose

He sounds like he's taking the p big time, perhaps exploiting that you struggle to hold him, then of course getting rewarded by being able to access the grass he's dived for

Afraid I'd have been less than nice to him! Your safety is more important, the fact he's hospitalised you is bad and quite frankly he needs to learn some manners!

Until the chiffney arrives I'd loop the rope round his nose, tucking it back into the headcollar so it doesn't slip off. If you feel him start to go, pull, hard. You need to try and catch him before he's gone as it'll be easier to nip in the bud and stop him going

Mine was always really polite to lead but did have the rope wrapped round his nose once when he tried to bulldoze over me while I was holding him in a spare stable on a really windy day while his bed was finished up. The bulldozing instantly stopped!

 

[Sprogladite01]

Don't feel bad about resorting to the chiffney, he will soon learn. My connie used to be a right devil - he knew I couldn't physically hold him. He ran over my mum once. Couldn't take him out in public unless he was in a chiffney and even then it was touch and go. If we were off the property we used to use a lunge line, wrapped round his nose and attached to the chiffney. I lost my boy last October but still have a lovely rotator cuff injury - a nice memento he's left me with lol. I do miss my little devil terribly though!

 

[Bellalily]

Well he’s come in like a lamb. Bridle on and lunge rein looped right round his face and through the bit rings, a couple of tugs from me to reassert myself and remind him who’s in charge and he behaved beautifully.
Thank you everyone. I shall use the chifney if I have to, it’s another level of control to have around, but for now he’s admitted defeat. We shall see what he’s like in the morning

 

[Bellalily]

Another thing I've done with rude ones before is wrap the rope round their nose

He sounds like he's taking the p big time, perhaps exploiting that you struggle to hold him, then of course getting rewarded by being able to access the grass he's dived for

Afraid I'd have been less than nice to him! Your safety is more important, the fact he's hospitalised you is bad and quite frankly he needs to learn some manners!

Until the chiffney arrives I'd loop the rope round his nose, tucking it back into the headcollar so it doesn't slip off. If you feel him start to go, pull, hard. You need to try and catch him before he's gone as it'll be easier to nip in the bud and stop him going

Mine was always really polite to lead but did have the rope wrapped round his nose once when he tried to bulldoze over me while I was holding him in a spare stable on a really windy day while his bed was finished up. The bulldozing instantly stopped!

I’ve tried that, doesn’t stop him, neither does a control halter or be nice or dually. I’ve resorted to his bridle and for now at least he’s given in. Chifney on its way to me.

 

[Bellalily]

I’ve tried that, doesn’t stop him, neither does a control halter or be nice or dually. I’ve resorted to his bridle and for now at least he’s given in. Chifney on its way to me.

It’s the pulling hard I can’t do with the OA.

 

[Bellalily]

Don't feel bad about resorting to the chiffney, he will soon learn. My connie used to be a right devil - he knew I couldn't physically hold him. He ran over my mum once. Couldn't take him out in public unless he was in a chiffney and even then it was touch and go. If we were off the property we used to use a lunge line, wrapped round his nose and attached to the chiffney. I lost my boy last October but still have a lovely rotator cuff injury - a nice memento he's left me with lol. I do miss my little devil terribly though!

Another Connie! This is the culprit

 

[Bellalily]

 

[Bellalily]

Don't feel bad about resorting to the chiffney, he will soon learn. My connie used to be a right devil - he knew I couldn't physically hold him. He ran over my mum once. Couldn't take him out in public unless he was in a chiffney and even then it was touch and go. If we were off the property we used to use a lunge line, wrapped round his nose and attached to the chiffney. I lost my boy last October but still have a lovely rotator cuff injury - a nice memento he's left me with lol. I do miss my little devil terribly though!

He did my rotator cuff too, NYE 2017 I was in Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, discharged, only to be back again 48 hrs later. That was after the stay in Castlebar Hospital in Ireland Easter the same year. Since then I’ve been über careful, but he’s lost the plot recently, and I have to be careful not to bollock him too much as he then won’t be caught. Prevention is much better and tonight he admitted defeat, for now. Chifney in the post.

 

[ycbm]

I don't understand why it would be against anyone's principles to use a chifney. They are required by some vet hospitals, they are only as harsh as the hand that's holding them and my experience is that every horse I've put one on gives it instant respect.
.

 

[Bellalily]

[Deleted quoted content removed]

I’ve no doubt it would work fine. Mine doesn’t do it with anyone else, but he knows I don’t have the strength anymore and takes full advantage. Hence the post.

 

[Bellalily]

I don't understand why it would be against anyone's principles to use a chifney. They are required by some vet hospitals, they are only as harsh as the hand that's holding them and my experience is that every horse I've put one on gives it instant respect.
.

Because everyone else who handles my beloved git does not have a problem. I ride bitless and have two well schooled and easy to ride equines. I hate having to resort to a severe bit, just because of my inabilities

 

[ycbm]

Because everyone else who handles my beloved git does not have a problem. I ride bitless and have two well schooled and easy to ride equines. I hate having to resort to a severe bit, just because of my inabilities

I get that but forgive yourself. They really aren't the work of the devil some people make them out to be. Just get control, then you can maybe work with a trainer so you can stop using it.
.

 

[FitzyFitz]

I’ve no doubt it would work fine. Mine doesn’t do it with anyone else, but he knows I don’t have the strength anymore and takes full advantage. Hence the post.

I know. He's taking advantage and endangering both of you.
However upsetting it is, if you want to handle him, it needs to be safe for both of you and unfortunately for him that means you have to be in control of him. There are plenty of options, some of which I'm sure you've tried already. In the end it is entirely your choice what is and isn't an acceptable method for you, but I would suggest that it would be safer all round to find a way to keep control of him without it becoming an enormous wrestling match, while remmebering that the method may change as time progresses. Maybe right now he has to be led in a bridle in tricky environments but is fine in a headcollar round the yard, then with time and training he improves so it's no longer necessary. Something has to change though, before you're both injured.

 

[Alwaysmoretoknow]

Second the stallion chain. Used carefully and sympathetically. Once they know what it is usually a bit of a rattle is enough to remind them to mind their manners.

 

[BronsonNutter]

Trying to find a 4.5” chifney. Presumably most ponies/small horses don’t need them

One size fits all
My childhood pony (14hh and slightly decrepid) needed to be in a chifney to lead - without it on there was a 50-50 chance he would just take off and barge you over. With the chifney in he'd just walk like a lamb on a loose rope; he knew it was there. So don't feel bad about it!

 

[Alwaysmoretoknow]

I've posted about this before but there used to be a very useful bit of kit called a Lidstone coupling which was marketed by EFI. It doesn't seem to be available anymore which is a damned shame as it was a great little gadget. Made out of standard nylon headcollar material it attached to the headcollar with removable clips and rings and could be left in place safely or removed if you could be bothered with the faff. It just gave the handler a little more control (without freaking out the more sensitive ones) by creating a bit of pressure under the chin and around the nose (similar to putting the rope around the nose but better 'placed'). The only caveat with it was to not to tie up with it and replace the lead rope on the normal headcollar ring. Maybe someone would like to start making them again as a new start up? I can think of lots of people who could use them. I could 'fly' my neurotic WB in it safely without the over reaction from either a chiffney or a chain and it was also effective with the bullocky thug of a NF.

 

[blitznbobs]

I use a chifney if they are unruly along with a headcollar then only use the chifney if they take the p… its safer and most learn very quickly.

 

[Velcrobum]

I've posted about this before but there used to be a very useful bit of kit called a Lidstone coupling which was marketed by EFI. It doesn't seem to be available anymore which is a damned shame as it was a great little gadget. Made out of standard nylon headcollar material it attached to the headcollar with removable clips and rings and could be left in place safely or removed if you could be bothered with the faff. It just gave the handler a little more control (without freaking out the more sensitive ones) by creating a bit of pressure under the chin and around the nose (similar to putting the rope around the nose but better 'placed'). The only caveat with it was to not to tie up with it and replace the lead rope on the normal headcollar ring. Maybe someone would like to start making them again as a new start up? I can think of lots of people who could use them. I could 'fly' my neurotic WB in it safely without the over reaction from either a chiffney or a chain and it was also effective with the bullocky thug of a NF.

Having seen OP's recent post I came to read this one hence late reply! "Lidstone couplings" are still available this is just one supplier

Kincade Lunge Attachment (Lidstone Coupling)

Discount Equestrian provides a large range of top brand equestrian products at reduced prices. Our product range includes anything from riding boots and breeches, horse boots to horse rugs, riding whips to riding hats. Our team here, all equestrian enthusiasts are always happy to help with any...

www.discount-equestrian.co.uk

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

OK so the pony is 28; you are not wishing to explore the "Trainers" route; and you say he has put you in hospital twice now.

You need to keep yourself safe at the end of the day. I'd advise (if you're not doing so already) to put on a hard-hat, body protector, gloves, and good stout steel toe-cap boots before handling him.

Then use a Chifney. Don't let anyone beat you up emotionally or put you on a guilt-trip about it. You've given him every chance but sounds like this pony has missed his chance to Come to Jesus and isn't going to co-operate or learn. So bung in the Chifney and stay as safe as you can, I'd say.

 

[SantaVera]

Start with a normal snaffle bridle and use a roller and tightish side reins too. He will have to be patient while you tack and untack him so should take the wind out of his sails. If this doesn't work use the chiffney.

 

[Bellalily]

Having seen OP's recent post I came to read this one hence late reply! "Lidstone couplings" are still available this is just one supplier

Kincade Lunge Attachment (Lidstone Coupling)

Discount Equestrian provides a large range of top brand equestrian products at reduced prices. Our product range includes anything from riding boots and breeches, horse boots to horse rugs, riding whips to riding hats. Our team here, all equestrian enthusiasts are always happy to help with any...

www.discount-equestrian.co.uk

Thanks but I don’t think it would be strong enough for me.

 

[Lois Lame]

That's interesting, Alwaysmoretoknow and Velcrobum. It looks very useful. As you say, Alwaysmoretoknow, one has to be careful to (and I quote):

... The only caveat with it was to not to tie up with it and replace the lead rope on the normal headcollar ring.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Thanks but I don’t think it would be strong enough for me.

I use these all the time for ground work and they really do help with pulling

 

[WestCoast]

An alternative to a chifney is what we used to call a stallion chain. Buy a flat link chain and thread it through the bottom rings of the head collar and attach the lead rope to it. You can also buy headcollars with a chain built in.

Also buy a copy of Perfect Manners by Kelly Marks and spend time on it. I used to take 20 minutes to get my last horse in when I first put my foot down with her as she wasn’t allowed to barge. But we got a good mannered horse in the end. Even my current mare who is near perfect I sometimes have to have a conversation with to keep her that way. Usually stopping and backing her up until she stops barging.

Another note with rude ponies is absolutely no hand fed treats (or hand grazing) except maybe to catch if they are reluctant and to keep their attention when released if they tend to steam off.

 

[Bellalily]

I use these all the time for ground work and they really do help with pulling

I’m sure they do, but do you have very painful hands with OA as I do?

 

[Alwaysmoretoknow]

Having seen OP's recent post I came to read this one hence late reply! "Lidstone couplings" are still available this is just one supplier

Kincade Lunge Attachment (Lidstone Coupling)

Discount Equestrian provides a large range of top brand equestrian products at reduced prices. Our product range includes anything from riding boots and breeches, horse boots to horse rugs, riding whips to riding hats. Our team here, all equestrian enthusiasts are always happy to help with any...

www.discount-equestrian.co.uk

Unfortunately it's not the same thing at all although it's got the same name. I don't think it would be helpful to the OP under her circumstances. This is what I was talking about.

 

[Bellalily]

Nice thought and I appreciate it.

 

[Jenko109]

How has he been then? Have you used the chifney or has the bridle been sufficient?