The Natural Horse

» Kathi1 - HELP!! Horse is pull against lead rope

I have a horse that I have been doing a lot of ground work with. She has just in the last week started pulling against me when I go to lead her somewhere just like a mule. What can I do to get her to stop doing this. She is a 7year old mustang

-- posted by Kathi1

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» caballus - Re: HELP!! Horse is pull against lead rope

In response to message posted by Kathi1:

Hi Kathi ... you say you've been doing alot of groundwork with your girl ... can you tell me what kind of groundwork? Have you had the opportunity to *really* connect with her? At liberty? If not, that is the first place to start ... read the article on "Connections" here on the site. If you have done this, what were the results? I'm asking not to be a nudge but to get an idea of the roles each of you play in your relationship. That would be the best place to start so we can continue onto leading exercises. But the connections have to be made FIRST. Let me know!

*S* --caballus

-- posted by caballus

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» stangman - Re: HELP!! Horse is pull against lead rope

In response to message posted by Kathi1:

you need to use a round pen if available ----put pressure on the horse to keep a forward movement---without a lead---next back up to cut the horse off as he comes around and then after a few rounds in that direction the horse should start to give you his eye---keep this up until the horse acknowledges you with an eye--only apply pressure with a stick or whatever to keep forward movement---then from the center of the ring walk straight back and the horse should veer off course and head straight for you---put your hand out and let him approach you. after trying this several times you should be able to walk freely and the horse follow you around no matter how many times you turn---keep his distance by kicking back at him without actually touching him---this will show him your space and within a very short period of time he will respect this distance
and you can then proceed with the lead line and perform the same kicking motions when necessary
--this is not a one time teaching deal--you will have to affirm your status frquently---there are many other games to play with the horse which are invaluable and will completely change the attitude of these animals if you spend the time and patience doing so---the professionals make it look easy--well it is---but it requires more time
than they would have you think---it is worth every minute--but you must be willing to forget almosty everything you previously knew as right and focus on what is natural for you and the horse as a team--partnership.

hope this helps

-- posted by stangman

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