| Do you dread turning your horse out? Does he drag | | | | You may need to repeat the process several times, |
| you from the barn to the paddock? Does he pull free | | | | but your horse will swiftly learn to lead quietly. And if |
| of the halter then turn abruptly and kick his heels in | | | | you've been using a chain, you soon won't need it. |
| your face before roaring off? When you try to catch | | | | Release Him on Your Terms |
| him, does he run away? I've been through this and it's | | | | Lead your horse through the entrance to the field and |
| no fun, as well as being dangerous. | | | | make him turn towards you while you close the gate. |
| Taking these few simple steps will help correct such | | | | Then offer him a treat and stroke his neck while talking |
| behavior, while allowing you to remain friends with your | | | | to him, lead rope in hand, without taking off his halter. If |
| horse. | | | | he won't stand quietly, use that quick reminder with the |
| Encourage Good Manners in the Stall | | | | lead rope. By now he'll understand you want him to |
| If your horse is excitable when you go into his stall to | | | | wait. Offer him a treat when he behaves, after which |
| take him out to pasture, distract him. Give him a treat | | | | he'll be looking for more food, so use that moment to |
| and while he is chewing, put on the halter. If he wants | | | | remove the halter. Then reward him with the tidbit he |
| to charge off as soon as it's on, tug down firmly and | | | | was seeking. Stroke him and walk away. |
| quickly on the attached lead rope, then release the | | | | You will have just removed your horse's reason for |
| pressure. This is not a punishment: it is to focus his | | | | rushing off, and encouraged him to stand quietly while |
| attention on you. When he stands still, offer another | | | | being handled. Over time you'll need fewer treats to |
| reward before opening the stall door. You may need | | | | reach the desired result. |
| to repeat this procedure two or three times, but he will | | | | Use Equine Characteristics to Catch Him |
| soon learn to wait quietly, because he gets repaid for | | | | If your equine is reluctant to be caught in the field, I've |
| it. | | | | found the following very effective. Horses are jealous |
| With a horse which pulls when being led, I strongly | | | | and inquisitive, traits we can use to our advantage. |
| suggest using a lead rope with a chain. Loop the chain | | | | Ignore the horse you want to catch and go up to |
| through the halter ring on the left side, over his nose | | | | another one. Offer this second horse a treat and a |
| and hook it onto the ring on his right side. The chain will | | | | cuddle and your real target will soon get annoyed and |
| only become uncomfortable when he pulls, and loosen | | | | come over for attention. Distract him with a tidbit while |
| up when he stops. You can give him a treat before | | | | inserting his nose through the halter as you put it on. Or |
| attaching the chain, so he associates the action with | | | | give it to him while looping the lead rope round his neck, |
| something good. Talk calmly and soothingly to your | | | | so you can prevent him from wandering away before |
| horse to let him know you are a friend as well as | | | | you've attached the halter. |
| someone he must respect. | | | | With a hard to catch horse it can often be useful to |
| Maintain Control While Leading Him to Pasture | | | | ask a person who doesn't ride him to fetch him in. |
| If he tries to misbehave while you lead him to the field, | | | | Make sure your horse doesn't associate being caught |
| refocus him on you again with a couple of quick pulls | | | | with always having to work. Go up to him once in a |
| on the lead rope as before. As soon as he stops, give | | | | while for a treat and a cuddle, then leave him alone. If |
| a kind word and a pat. A tidbit at this stage is not a | | | | you follow the above guidelines with patience and |
| good idea because he will get into the habit of stopping | | | | consistency your horse can become a pleasure to |
| for one en route to the field. | | | | turn out. |