strong willed

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guiness8

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Hi there. Im all new to this. Im after a bit of advice. I have an Irish draught cross and have found that when he doesnt want to do something (in hand this is) he can lock his head and escape from me. He is very strong and then it is a massive battle to try and catch him again. I have just had an episode of this with the vet for his routine injections (a 2 sec job) and we have had to give up until my other half comes home later who might be able to hold him. He is good in every other way except with the vet and loading!! This is another issue I need to overcome. Has anyone any advice on how to overcome this? He is kept outdoors and I dont have anywhere to stable him so we have to do everything in the field. He is good in every other way apart from this one thing but its a big thing Im finding to overcome.
He hasnt been in work all winter so im hoping that bringing him back in work now should try and sort this problem but in the short term need to try again with his injections this afternoon!!!

Sorry this is a long post I can go on
 
Do you hold him in a bridle or chiffney when the vet comes with a lunge line attached? may or maynot work but it did for mine with the loading issues
 
Tried a pressure halter? He learns that if he pulls pressure is exerted, and if he cooperates everything is fine. If this doesn't work I would go with the chifney.
 
Hi there! Have you tried using a Chiffney on him? They work miracles for naughty/young/fresh/stubborn horses - they're often used in racing even as a precaution. It just goes on over the top of the headcolllar, then if he goes to lock his head and pull away from you, a short sharp tug will (almost always) be enough to tell him who's boss!

We used on on a mare we had on loan who decided she knew how to get the better of me; she would twist her head and get away in the yard, in the field, walking up the lane to the stables, and then the last straw was when she did it at PC camp, and dragged me through the yard owner's garden on my knees because I wouldnt let go! We put a Chiffney on her after that, and it solved the problem instantly!
 
What are you trying to hold him in? My sisters horse is an IDxTB and he is incredibly strong willed sometimes, although generally well behaved he has taken me grass skiing on more than one occasion!

Although a bridle may solve your problem, if you are not currently wearing one when you are trying this, we normally just wrap the rope around his nose and pass it back through the headcollar if that makes sense? seems to sharpen his ideas up pretty quick, and he is 16h and strong when he wants to be! A couple a tugs and he soon starts to listen, he also likes to mow you down when he gets of the stable some mornings - glad I have toecaps!

Good luck, hope someone else can be of more help
smile.gif
 
I have one of those monty roberts headcollars but to be honest I dont think it works brilliantly. I bought it last year with loading in mind for my youngster. It seems to work when hes tied up ie just brushing etc but not on todays occassion!! I was thinking of putting his bridle on this afternoon to try as I feel I might have a bit more control that way. He only has a snaffle bridle but hopefully the shock should be enough.
 
I find sometimes the Dually headcollers sometimes aren't enough to make a horse listen. My mare doesn't respect a dually, but she will behave with the leadrope threaded through across her nose or a libbys pressure halter.
 
I don't have the answer for this afternoon, other than doping in food before he gets jabbed.

Long term it is a question of respect, clearly he doesn't respect you on the ground at the moment and knows he is bigger and stronger, and you need to tackle that with consistent firm handling - don't give an inch! Lots of leading, halting, backing up and do it every day, ideally with a controller headcollar
 
if i were you i would try a bridle and if this is not enough to hold him maybe try a chiffney,is there anyone who could help to hold him maybe try 2 lunge lines one on each side.other than that if that doesnt work i would try and find a stable to borrow or enclosed space were he cant run away.
 
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