Problems leading youngster

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Cassy

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I have a 18 month old percheron x filly (homebred) and although she leads in from the field quite well at night, the mornings have become quite a problem over the last few weeks. Her attention is never on me and she ignores any direction I try to give her resulting in a real tussle getting from stable to field (only a short walk about 100yds). I have tried the Monty Roberts halter but she takes no notice of it. I realise she is in a hurry to get out but I need some control as she is growing rapidly and stands at about 15 3 now. Any suggestion please.
 
Join the club, mine put me in hospital the other week! clipped my chest with his legs and down I went!! Fully recovered now though, I totally know what you mean, he (usually although not tonight!!) leads in at night like a puppy dog but in the morning he's a handful!! He's 15.3 too!! As soon as I landed in hospital I ordered a 'be nice halter' I've used one before for loading issues with another horse, and got good results. Whilst I waited for it to arrive I put a rubber bit in his mouth (low as he was not bitted) just to give him something to play with in his mouth and distract him from the fact he was going out. I lead off the headcollar not the bit, so no pressure on it. Then I used the halter once it arrived instead of the bit, fingers crossed since then he has responded very well to the halter, still trying some things, but instantly stops when he feels the pressure. I swear by these halters. I got it secondhand off preloved too so very happy.

Good luck.
 
I have always used a newmarket chain across the nose of any thugs, big or small. Have never had to use anything other than mild pressure as they usually respect it.
 
When I had difficult to lead horse, I took a schooling whip to hold in front of the nose or to tap the chest if horse went too fast. I found that worked very well. Another idea is to make the horse circle every time it rushes. I always use rope halters for leading, I find I much more control than with a headcollar.
 
"When I had difficult to lead horse, I took a schooling whip to hold in front of the nose or to tap the chest if horse went too fast. I found that worked very well. Another idea is to make the horse circle every time it rushes. I always use rope halters for leading, I find I much more control than with a headcollar. "

^This from Pearlsacarolsinger ^
 
i had this last winter with my 2 yr old. the same behavior as above both going out and coming in. I tried all of the above and in the end the only thing she respected was a headcollar and normal rope and a chiffney. before i get shot down i did not want to be put in hosp and she was 16.1 as a 2 yr old so not a little pony. chiffney was on loose rope so no effect unless she misbehaved. she messed about once and thats it. this winter she is fine.
 
big babies sadly have to learn. i would suggest a chain across the nose, or a chifney and a lunge line, gloves and a hard hat. i would also suggest spending 15 mins a day leading, halting. turning, stopping for a chat and making them wait. time well spent. Cassy yours is going to be a big strong girl as well you know. you have to instill the manners now! just imagine she is a rude 10 year old (not nice) what would you do then? thats what you need to do now! in the space of a week you can/will have a well mannered nice to lead horse.
 
scribble said:
i had this last winter with my 2 yr old. the same behavior as above both going out and coming in. I tried all of the above and in the end the only thing she respected was a headcollar and normal rope and a chiffney. before i get shot down i did not want to be put in hosp and she was 16.1 as a 2 yr old so not a little pony. chiffney was on loose rope so no effect unless she misbehaved. she messed about once and thats it. this winter she is fine.
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I think you were very sensible - there is nothing more dangerous than an out of control horse. Your safety as a handler is paramount. If you use a chifney or a chain, you have the option of severity if it is needed, yet it is there as a deterent when you don't! I have seen very unpleasant scenes with people hauling horses about in headcollars and sometimes this is worse than the action of a chifney!

I've heard lots of recommendations for the rope halters too - never used one myself, but all those positive comments have to be a good sign :D
 
Basically I would say you need to do more ground work - practice making her walk forward, stand, go back etc. There is a technique i have been taught by someone as i have a new 19mth old now gelding who can be a bit, shall we say, strong-willed when being lead! It did work with him and, although i have not done a lot with him recently, I intend to do more work with him in this vein over the nex few weeks now the weather's improved. He is out 24/7 though so i don't have issues leading from the stable to field. in fact, when he does come in for whatever reason he doesn't really want to go back out as he likes the attention of being in!

I do have a control headcollar for him (one of those rope ones that puts pressure on the nose I think) and that does work quite well at making my 'requests' clearer for him. However, if you feel yours is too strong for this then maybe either try purchasing some stallion chains to use with the headcollar or buy an eskadron chain headcollar. I have one of these for my older horse as he can be a sod to lead and can just take off if the mood takes him. Not good if my mum had to lead him! The eskadron actually worked a treat for him. Before that I used to just wrap the leadrope round his nose but I don't like this too much as it can drop down and then press on the softer part of the nose which isn't good.
 
I have a two year old, and although I have not had any major problems (*touches wood*), I have had some incidents, and I have my own technique with him in the hope I will prevent it becoming a continous issue.

First of all, I am very vocal with him. I calmly chat to him constantly, and praise him for walking well. If he's on his toes, I try a soothing 'woah' and slight tugging pressure on the lead rope. If he decides to kick out some shapes I growl a sharp 'no' with a sharp tug(s) on the rope. Usually he stops, but you can feel him when he is going to try it again, and as soon as I realise his intentions, I tell him 'no'. This seems to have an effect with him. As soon as he settles, I over do the praising - he loves it - and walks alot better for it.

Another thing I practice is 'stop starting' with him - I do this frequently - every other day or so. Whether it be on the way to the field, or back to the stables, I practice stopping with him a few times - but never in the same place. I ask him to stand for a matter of seconds, sometimes longer then other times, over do the praise thing again, give him a pat, and then ask him to walk on. Sometimes I turn him back in the opposite direction and walk several yards before stop starting him, and turning back again.

This is my attempt of getting him to keep his attention on me, and hopefully teach him respect to follow me where I take him, and not him taking me. Plus with the stop starting game, it gives him something to think about instead of him thinking of ways to make things interesting for himself lol! I am really strict with him, but I do praise him when he responds well. It seems to work with him anyway.

In my opinion, leading a horse that tends to drag is just like when a horse takes hold of a bit when you are on them - whether you lead with a head collar/benice halter/bridle/chiffney/rope or chain around the nose - on off pressure niggling/tugging is far more effective then if you constantly pull against them, as they will only lean into the pressure, set themselves against you, and drag you using all of their weight/strength.

One of my friends horses can be Jekyll and Hyde to lead (and he is 14)! When he goes, he goes, and there is nothing you can do about it. He had no respect for the benice halter whatsoever, and might as well had a normal headcollar on. A chiffney can have effect with him, and the majority of the time he respects that, but sometimes he has other ideas! Then there are other days where butter wouldn't melt!

Good luck! Hope you find a method that works for your youngster. I might be asking for advice if Rox gets bored of my stop start game and tries something new! xx :)
 
'Another thing I practice is 'stop starting' with him - I do this frequently - every other day or so. Whether it be on the way to the field, or back to the stables, I practice stopping with him a few times - but never in the same place. I ask him to stand for a matter of seconds, sometimes longer then other times, over do the praise thing again, give him a pat, and then ask him to walk on. Sometimes I turn him back in the opposite direction and walk several yards before stop starting him, and turning back again. ' Quote

Here is 'stop starting'
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=290084
 
Thanks for all your replies. I intend to do some ground work with her this summer when the weather is better and I have more time. So it is just a matter at the moment of having some control when leading her. She lost her mum when only 4 months old and although I have been very careful not to over handle her she has no fear of humans and I suspect little respect. In her defence she ties up well, usually picks up her feet when asked and loves the occasional groom. I think she may be feeling a bit fresh as I am feeding her well as she is not rugged up and is growing rapidly.
 
I have a 19 month old filly who tried leading me a merry dance and being strong for a while.

I solved it all very easily with a be nice head collar, a schooling crop to discourage her from charging forward, and firm handling but with lots of praise for being good.

I also wear steal to cap boots, and it makes a world of difference in my head to them dancing around.

She's pretty good now, will still try the odd time and its sometimes cheekieness, sometimes encountering something new on the way to the barn and she gets a little upset, I find talking to her constantly, reassuring her works well. I can now see the problems coming and usually stop them happening just with a firm few words or a few kind words of reassurance.

One other thing I have noticed and I dont know if its applicable to all youngsters or just her, but I found that having my right hand just under her chin in the classical lead position just all seemed a bit tense, I give her a lot more rope and we sort of stroll around, and she is so much more relaxed. As soon as my hand goes back up she tenses up. My friend finds exactly the same with her young one also.
I think it may be body language, longer rope strolling along is more relaxed and makes them more relaxed, but some dont like that with youngster as they feel they have less control :D
 
Go back to basics ,you can try a controller halter but probably change the routine slightly, ie instead of just going to and from field ....maybe little walk here ...or tie up there .walk a few paces and halt .. stand...more time handling, always wear a hat with youngsters carry a crop , sometimes a wee tap or the visible appearence helps ...
 
So often people think of leading as just a means to an end - leading to the barn, leading to the field, etc. But leading, especially with a youngster, should always be thought of as a schooling exercise. I've recently gone through this because my horse was on box rest and full of herself, and her manners on the lead had deteriorated. Long story short, I got hurt.

You say you intend to do some ground work this summer when you have more time but you really need to think of these walks as part of ground work. It would benefit you both to spend an extra ten or fifteen minutes walking and working on manners.

When my horse rushes or pulls, I immediately halt her and back her up. I carry a light dressage whip (because she's alpha and pushes back) and I tap her on the chest and make her back up - not casually, but with purpose. Then I ask her to walk forward again. If she still rushes, I repeat. Essentially, I'm making doing the right thing easy and the wrong thing a pain in the butt. Backing also lowers her head - making her less likely to go up - and gets her attention on me. I also ask her to halt and just stand regularly. She needs to know that we're not always moving.

I don't like circling as much because my mare uses it as an evasion. She'll abruptly turn into me which almost forces me to circle her and that means she is dictating our progress and direction. When she does that, I block the turn, halt and back her.

Your baby probably doesn't need the amount of vigor my headstrong 5 year old needs but firmness and consistency instill the basics.

Also agree with wearing a hat. They often don't mean to hurt you but it can happen in a flash.
 
I would like to spend time working on stopping and starting and instilling some manners with her now but the ground has been against us; 6 weeks of snow and compacted ice; now deep slippery mud worst than a ploughed field. I carried a schooling whip this morning and wafted it in front of her which seemed to help keep her focussed on me but bringing her in tonight she ignored the whip even when I tapped it repeatedly on her chest to ask her to back up. In the stable she will back up and move over willing but she seems to forget as soon as we are outside.
 
cassy this is a problem that needs sorting now .. not waiting til summer. mud or no mud you ither need to spend the time and sort it out now, or pay someone to help you do it. by the time summer comes one of you will have had an accident. maybe you need to cut the grub right back or out for a few weeks and increase the hours of turnout.
 
I have had some success over the last few weeks by wrapping the leadrope through the headcollar and this enables me to give a quick tug when needed and my youngster seems to take more notice of me now. I also carry a schooling which I use to back her off so that she doesn't push me into the electric fence at bringing in time. One new trick she has learnt is to root to the spot at the entrance to the field, I don't think she likes stepping into the muddy gateway! She is still bargy but we have made some progress, be it small.
 
Good to hear, with babies it's always baby steps, but as long as you are headed in the right direction you can see the light at the end of the tunnel!! I've also been having success with my lad, he's still a bit silly in the morning, tries a few things on, but nothing like where we were before the halter!
 
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