Teaching manners

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bex1984

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Sorry...me again.

It appears Murphy's manners have disappeared recently, and he has taken to dragging me around when he's in his headcollar; he sets his neck and pulls and I don't stand a chance
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I had to load him in his bridle yesterday because he thought it was fun to get half way up the trailer ramp, turn round and trot back through the yard towards his field
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I don't want to have to lead him everywhere in a bridle as I don't think that solves the problem as its roots - he needs to learn some manners.

So how do I go about teaching him to respect me more on the ground? He is very friendly, would never bite or kick, rarely barges or anything like that, but really knows his own strength and is using it against me. How do I work on this?
 
Just ground work and perseverance. Make sure he keeps a respectful distance at all times, moves when you tell him stuff like that. I've been told to ask myself would a dominant horse tolerate that behavior? For example lots of horses rub their heads on their owners/riders can you imagine them using a dominant mare as a scratching post..no because they'd get kicked in the head! so you shouldn't put up with it either. I'm not going to mention the dreaded 'P' word (for the record I am not a fan AT ALL think it is a load of tripe) BUT some of the ideas about ground work are IMO sound.
 
lol, I was a bit concerned when posting this that I might be inciting a discussion of the 'P' word
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You're so right about the rubbing head on people thing, I'd never thought of it that way. I suppose it's my fault because I'm quite cuddly with Murphy, I'm going to have to be a bit more authoritative!!

The problem with this dragging me around thing is that I can't stop him, I just ahve to let go and go after him, so he sort of "wins" and I think it becomes a game for him. I guess if he had more respect for me though he wouldn't do it.

Aren't ponies fun?
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I know I'm the same because really I want a cuddle and it is hard to resist! we are having this conversation over two post! If he storms of in a straight line try digging him in the ribs with your elbow so he does a turn on the forehand type move. If you can move their body over it gives you a chance to regain control. Once it has built up a bit of speed and set it's neck you don't have a chance, I have some lovely scars to prove it when a Sec A did this to me and I lost my footing and got dragged wasn't pleasant. Why is it the small ones are always the naughtiest?!
 
That is EXACTLY what he does: sets his neck, straight line, off he goes in a very powerful trot. Will defo try digging him in the ribs, good idea. It started yesterday because when I was trying to load him he started sniffing something to the side of the trailer and dragged me off so he could have a look at it. That seemed to remind him that he could drag me if he wanted to, so he thought he'd try it again and again (he normally loads really easily).
 
try a B-nice or a pressure halter so you can keep hold of him and that should help gain some repsect when you lead him
 
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try a B-nice or a pressure halter so you can keep hold of him and that should help gain some repsect when you lead him

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Agree and a lunge line or long lead rope, that way he can't get away from you. Also spend some time working with him on the ground - make him stand, back up, move over and walk forwards on command, patting him when he does as asked. If he gets bolshy then the presure halter will come ino effect and remind him who's in charge without a 'punishment' coming from you! Good luck, I have been through this with my mare and she is much better now although we still have regular manners sessions to keep her in check!
 
My TBx went through a stage of this last year. I used some exercises from a 'P-word' DVD that came free with Your Horse and some exercises I saw in a demo by Dave Stewart and after a few weeks it really improved. I still do them a few times a month to remind her and fingers crossed we haven't returned to that behaviour
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custardcream - I'm not sure a lungeline will stop him, he has pulled me flat on my face before galloping off on a lunge line
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Good idea about spending some time doing stuff on the ground, might do that in the school one day this week.

Will look into a pressure halter - but I'd rather try to solve the problem of his lack of respect first if you see what I mean? He is normally good and I think this is possibly a bit of "springitis" and he's just feeling a bit full of himself. He has had to learn to stand up for himself in the field recently so I'm wondering if this might be the cause?

I've just been and brought him in and he was a bit shocked by me being a bit stricter
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custardcream - I'm not sure a lungeline will stop him, he has pulled me flat on my face before galloping off on a lunge line
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Good idea about spending some time doing stuff on the ground, might do that in the school one day this week.

Will look into a pressure halter - but I'd rather try to solve the problem of his lack of respect first if you see what I mean? He is normally good and I think this is possibly a bit of "springitis" and he's just feeling a bit full of himself. He has had to learn to stand up for himself in the field recently so I'm wondering if this might be the cause?

I've just been and brought him in and he was a bit shocked by me being a bit stricter
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Good for you being stricter! With a lungeline if you can get at a 45 degree angle to him you can catch him off balance and swing him round toward you (and effectivley lunge him round you). Obviously you can only do this where there is space but this is where I started with my mare - I let her teach herself and she never managed to get away from me. This is a Richard Maxwell tip and while I am not a huge natural horsemanship fan, I really think this technique works (my mare is a 16.3hh ISH who had the attitude and physique of a bull elephant!
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). My other tip is keep it consistent - black and white, when he is good tell him, when he is not good correct him (not punish) but don't let there be any grey areas!

Good luck.
 
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