Stubborn yearling !

holt889

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19 August 2008
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My lovely friendly new yearling has started to plant his feet when I lead him. Has to be said that it is on the way back to the field after he's had a groom and a feed!!!
At the moment I have my daughter with a schooloing whip behind and as I say walk on she wiggles it or hits it on the ground but that really has little effect as he is so laid back !! I do give him a pull with the lead rope and if he gives to it and walks on, quickly release the pressure. He is fine if I hold the rope really loose and let him amble behind me but I want to be able to lead him correctly and safely and want to do it now so he gets it right from an early age. He came to me from a field full of youngsters and has learnt to have a halter on, be touched,feet picked out etc all in the last 4 wks so he's not doing badly bless him !
I know he's doing it cos he wants to stay/play/eat and is trying to be boss so what would you try next ???
 
Hello! My foal used to do that! cheecky youngsters! It wasn't always possible for me to have someone else about. I used to put a lunge line round his bottom crossed over his back and round his front and when he stopped i would lift the line up where it crossed over so it put a little pressure round his back end. hope that is helpfull.
 
One of our babies did this too!! If you pull them at an angle they have to walk because it unbalances them!! We did this (is very slo cause you only mive half a stride ata time!!!) But after doing this twice he never stopped again!! :D
 
Me, I would stand there, silent, untill he decides to move, even if it takes an hour, he will soon get bored of it and will walk on.
 
Thanks for that advice..will have a go at the lunge line if I get stuck and will try the other ideas to see if they work on him!
He has decided to jump out everyday this week, over a really wide stream, into a paddock with another younster but unfortunately there isn't much grass in there so he is obviously trying to stay near the food when its time for me to take him back to the field. Think I'll have to have him in and give him ad lib hay until the grass gets better.
On the plus side it has shown me what a tremendous jump he has for the future !!!!
 
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