Problems with the new horse

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Bhorses

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So after leaving my new horse to settle in for a couple of weeks have started getting him in to start ground work with him and so far so good he is quite lively and likes to snort a bit but now he has started taking off when i lead him. I want to know how to deal with this so i can nip it in the bud as he is around 16.1 and 7 years old and has spent the last 2 years being in control of his last owner so I need to let him know im in charge but i dont want to hurt him either has someone got any advice on the best way to deal with this so he will stop it? Tahnks in advance
 
You need to be in control of his feet. I used a dually halter when my youngster got too big for his boots, but I also had an hours 'lesson' from a Kelly Marks RA who showed me how to asssert myself. Now he know's who is boss.
 
I couldn't even get a bridle on my new horse let alone catch him to lead anywhere. Yet he was young, one previous home with no issues and has no issues now he has settled in.

Take the behaviour with a pinch of salt and it will literally just click and fall into place faster than you'd imagine. Persist and repeat to be dominant and say "no, I'm not asking anything to put you at danger and as I know it's okay to be doing this, I will persist"!

If the first time you do something doesn't go smoothly, ignore as if it's no biggie and just repeat. Hard to say without seeing but good luck and hope things work out for you.
 
Im wondering why youve left it 2 weeks to work him even if only gently and
Is the horse also like this under saddle ?
I would use a rope halter and long rope, ive had success on all horses ive used it with, they need to be schooled to understand its pressure release principal, i also agree you need to take control of thei horses feet
 
My lad seemed to know when my hands were sore (arthritis) and seriously take the mick, one dually halter later=one well mannered horse, I also use
verbal commands as he is ride and drive, if he yanks the lead rope and tanks off back to the field I just bellow, WHOA and STAND, works every time
 
I have done things with him.like groooming him but hes not broken as far as we know he reason i havent worked with him more closely was that i felt he needed time to settle in to his newhme. Thanks for all the replies will definetly invest in a dually halter
 
Dually head collar works wonders or my older boy can be very strong and he is ok in a stallion chain (put through the rings of his headcollar behind his nose. Or even simple leadrope over nose... Lead with gloves and hat using one of the above and when he tries to go hang on and pull. Some horses like my older boy will still go (unless its a stallion chain), but my youngster went through this phase and manged to hang on a couple of times and use my angry voice, he has never tried it since.
 
Bhorses said:
So after leaving my new horse to settle in for a couple of weeks have started getting him in to start ground work with him and so far so good he is quite lively and likes to snort a bit but now he has started taking off when i lead him. I want to know how to deal with this so i can nip it in the bud as he is around 16.1 and 7 years old and has spent the last 2 years being in control of his last owner so I need to let him know im in charge but i dont want to hurt him either has someone got any advice on the best way to deal with this so he will stop it? Tahnks in advance
Click to expand...

Can you actually 'work' him?
 
It sounds like this horse has had his own way for a while. Once they have learnt to run off while being led, it can be difficult to cure. I recommend the Richard Maxwell halter, learn how to use it and you will sort him out in no time.
 
Bhorses said:
I have done things with him.like groooming him but hes not broken as far as we know he reason i havent worked with him more closely was that i felt he needed time to settle in to his newhme. Thanks for all the replies will definetly invest in a dually halter
Click to expand...

I would wonder as to why he's 7 and not been broken, my experience is the longer its left the more difficult it can be, especially if the horse has been used to bogging off on its handler and doing what it likes on the ground, as you described in his past home
 
I'm not actually sure what to suggest - there seem to be lots of positives for the dually and it does sound like it would help, definitely worth a try.

What I wanted to say to you is don't give this horse anymore time to 'settle in' or find any other reasons (other than physical issues) not to put him into proper work, he needs to know he's there to do a job and you need to start being very clear on what you expect from him. By the sounds of it he's had it too easy for too long and it's time he knuckled down...

Good luck :)
 
My new horse tried this when I first got him (he's only 4 though). What is working for me so far is:

Weekly lessons with experienced instructor (the cost of this was factored into my 'can I afford another horse' calculations)

Lots of ground work to remind him I'm in charge

Hat, gloves, stick, lunge rope and bridle or chifney at all times when leading anywhere.

I have had him nearly 2 months now and he has improved so much. My teacher told me that once they realise they can pi$$ off they will keep doing it, and he had most likely done it with previous owners (they must have forgot to mention that to me when I went to try him...)
 
I had similiar issues - buy ground manners by Kelly Marks and a dually halter. Life savers and nips the problem in the bud quick. You can always look on her website for an RA. I had to keep pushing my horse backwards as that was like a herd leader and he is millions better now!
 
I think it will take time. Unruley horses normally get a period where I give them 'boot camp' as it were. A few weeks of no messing around and discipline. After that its just maintaining the balance. Good luck with your new horse :)
 
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