Teaching youngsters to walk and trot in hand..

5horses2dogsandacat

5horses2dogsandacat

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Ive got 3 youngsters Im going to compete in hand this year, 2 are doing really well and walk nice, stop nicely and trot in hand. One is not going as well, admittedly I havent had him for as long as the others so havent been working on him as long. However he is making me scratch my head...

We are learning to lead, some days he will walk nicely beside me others days I need a bucket for him to follow and others he will just stand dead still and plant. So I do my usual unplant him proceedure followed by him following the bucket a few strides then plant again this will continue till we get to the field where I turn him out.

I do also use a tickle stick although this seems to make him go into reverse.

He just seems to lack 'mojo'. Bit of a dope on a rope, even in the field. But is well in himself, has a nice shine to his coat and a general well look. I think its just his character!


How do others teach their youngstock to walk and trot in hand?

Many Thanks
 
He sounds as though he just doesn't understand what you want him to do.

How did you teach your other horses to lead or were they already leading before you got them? I don't understand what you're trying to do with the bucket??

I would start by using a fence as a guide for the horse so he has you on one side and the fence on the other. Stand at his shoulder and face forwards and have a schooling whip in the opposite side to the horse, ask him to walk on and if you get no response then you can touch him on his flank with the whip, make sure you don't get too far in front of him or block his movement by looking back at him :)
 
I've always taught youngsters with the help of an older horse who is good at the job. I get someone to lead the older horse in front, I have the baby. I give all the commands and the front leader and horse does what I ask, baby follows. Then I gradually move front horse either further away or along side. Once they learn the commands, I reduce the voice until they will just follow my body language. I think this way makes it more fun for the youngster and it has always worked really well for me.
 
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