Rude pony to lead

Fools Motto

Fools Motto

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Does the spring grass turn ponies into 'trying it on'!? Leading to and from the field he is just beginning to be a bit pushy. Oddly enough he isn't going for the grass like most ponies try to do, but he uses his shoulder to try to dictate where to put you, and if you stand your ground he'll walk on you. Use your elbow to correct him, and he's a bit cross about it, swishes his tail and with a distained look on his face, but will be fine... until the next time, and it repeats. This is on a head collar and lead rope. Often leading out another with him, or with a child leading him (who can't do the elbow thing!)
Shall I start to lead in a bridle for a bit more control and to make him realise I mean business, or is there anything else you can suggest.
He has been good, so this behaviour has been for 2 weeks maybe, just don't want it to become established!!
(He is good to ride, and one of the best easiest ponies to lunge and long rein).
 
Frank and I have been having a similar conversation (though he tends to drag away from you) for 13 years, it is ok at home as no distance but a fair walk on livery to get to our field through much nicer grass. It occasionally would do my shoulder no good at all.

1) I lead him in a rope halter.
2) I put his muzzle before we lead to the field rather than putting it on when we get there, this is by far the most satisfactory situation.

eating grass has never been allowed, he is a dream in most other ways and his ground work is super. I just think grumbling pony bellies get too much!
 
I think spring grass has a lot to answer for right now! I saw one of the riding school sensible OAPs turn into an idiot and get away from the member of staff this morning. Whilst I was hanging back waiting for her to be caught my own so-called-sensible draft decided to piaffe by my side and then pull the rope through my hands and tank off.

I put the bridle on both my horses to come in this evening. It's windy and that plus grass is giving my horses a personality change. So yes, blame the grass and use the bridle!!
 
Back him up out of your space - backing up is something they only do for someone, or another horse they respect. Back him up a few steps at the gate before you go through, and again when you have closed the gate - nice quiet word, hand on chest and if he doesn't respond to the pressure from your hand, step on his toes. Every opportunity when you are concentrating on him rather than just walking - and now and again when you are just walking too. Mine backs up before he is given his feed, either in the stable or the field (and if he is really hungry he puts on his pretty face too, complete with fluttering eyelashes!)
 
Fools Motto said:
Does the spring grass turn ponies into 'trying it on'!? Leading to and from the field he is just beginning to be a bit pushy. Oddly enough he isn't going for the grass like most ponies try to do, but he uses his shoulder to try to dictate where to put you, and if you stand your ground he'll walk on you. Use your elbow to correct him, and he's a bit cross about it, swishes his tail and with a distained look on his face, but will be fine... until the next time, and it repeats. This is on a head collar and lead rope. Often leading out another with him, or with a child leading him (who can't do the elbow thing!)
Shall I start to lead in a bridle for a bit more control and to make him realise I mean business, or is there anything else you can suggest.
He has been good, so this behaviour has been for 2 weeks maybe, just don't want it to become established!!
(He is good to ride, and one of the best easiest ponies to lunge and long rein).
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I would ditch the headcollar, in favour of a rope halter. My preference is an old-fashioned cow halter type but some prefer the branded ones. I will just say, be careful that you don't get one which has very thin rope - they cut into the horse's flesh and can be very severe. If he has been fine to lead up to now, what has brought about the change?
 
I have a horse who can be a git and try to throw his weight around, doing the same thing as yours i.e. trying to shove you with his shoulder.

Soon as mine starts that he gets a flick in the face with the end of the rope to move his front end away from me then I walk him away from me in a circle a few times.
 
Oh yes, he only has to have thought it! :D and I like to think I'm quite good at rope swinging on occassion/it works for the other one! It is one thing I don't miss from livery as the only walking done now is across the gravel.

Oh actually I forgot I did used to ride him out to the field quite a lot, still in halter, doing our awkward gates without sliding off was some feat but he never did if it I was on him so there you go FM :)
 
This is the nice bruise he gave me the last time he decided he couldn't hear me shout "Get OFF my foot you big idiot!" ten times over.

LcN5AIX.jpg
 
I have just re-read your OP and realised that you are taking 2 horses out together. I would make sure that you are able to concentrate on this pony, so that he can't take advantage of your attenton wandering from him to the other horse.
 
I'm personally a fan of a rope halter, if you find that doesn't work go to bridle for a little bit just to make sure. At least for now until he's sure you mean business, I've been having to turn mine out in his just to keep him on the straight and narrow where before he'd follow like a puppy with no questions asked!

I'd also avoid letting children lead until you're convinced he's back to himself, as a young'un I was yanked off my feet more than once and very nearly stepped on by a Welsh A we'd affectionately (I think) dubbed Henry Hoover.
 
Mine are back to being lovely now, but Flower did have a day where she took me grass skiing. Mary thought about being naughty too but decided better of it!
 
One week later, he is being a dream. It only took a day or two of corrections, and reminding him. Children took him out today, and he was foot perfect. The RDA group, (who use him) were impressed with his impeccable manners too.
 
Glad it’s not just me struggling to control a belligerent, grass addicted pony.
She is currently being led in a bridle and still manages to outwit me sometimes.
 
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