I've been around many people who try to lead a horse by controlling their head with a lead rope. They end up pulling or jerking the lead rope and the horse will typically pull back or push around the person with the lead rope.
Ultimately, you want slack in the lead rope while leading your horse because you don't want to pull or jerk him. If your horse moves incorrectly while leading him then you can stop and correct him by making him move his body.
To really be successful in having control the secret is having control over your horse's body. How do you do that? By controlling his feet by making him move his rear end away from you. (Also known as "disengaging the hind quarters) Why this works so well is it alleviates stiffness and tension and almost magically forces your horse to focus on you.
There are few ways to get your horse to move his rear end away from you. Much of the time, you can stand facing his shoulder and point to his hip. If he doesn't move keep pointing and cluck at him. If he still doesn't move, twirl the end of your lead rope at his hip and cluck. If he still doesn't move tap him with the lead rope while clucking at him.
At any time he moves, take the pressure off him immediately. Give him a pat and a "good boy" and ask for another move. Repeat. Then ask for more steps. Remember to do this on both sides of the body too. It won't be long when you will simply point at his hip and he'll move them for you. Do this every day for a while to get it in his mind that you are in control.
Okay. Now that you moved him, turn your body to walk forward while holding your lead line. Something magical happens right here. Your horse suddenly focuses his attention on you. He's very aware of your movement and what you're doing. If he messes up because he was distracted or something scared him, all you have to do is move his rear end again. Eventually your horse will start gauging your pace and keep up with you at the same pace you move.
If your horse starts to get ahead of you while leading, move his hindquarters. If he's lagging behind you, move his hindquarters. If he goes off into La La Land, move his hindquarters.
Having good control leading your horse is perhaps the most basic training technique there is. But it is also the way we get horses in trailers, moving them around, bathing them, and even riding them. This will help teach your horse to be soft and responsive. And if you have a soft responsive horse while you are on the ground, then you will more likely have the same kind of horse while you're sitting in the saddle. And that is the ultimate goal.
About The Author
Andy Curry is a nationally known horse trainer and author of several best selling horse training and horse care books. For information visit his website at www.horsetrainingandtips.com. He is also the leading expert on Jesse Beery's horse training methods which can be seen at www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.htm.
As our horses enjoy a longer life and many live... Read More
It has been said that everything old is new again.... Read More
Breeding tropical fish can be a lot of fun. Try... Read More
Your dog's health is a very important part of overall... Read More
Showing off your dog in front of friends and family... Read More
One of the most difficult hurdles that any new puppy... Read More
Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for... Read More
This is an old saying that many of us have... Read More
I have a business card burning a hole in my... Read More
Kittens are and have always been adorable creatures. Of course,... Read More
Whether you are searching for something to say "Happy Birthday"... Read More
Believe it or not boutiques for dogs are everywhere. Nowadays,... Read More
The 10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time According... Read More
Some people are so attached to their pets that they... Read More
As you likely know already, horses have at least 10... Read More
You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was... Read More
So you want to keep discus fish or are already... Read More
Making sure that accidents don't happen in the first place... Read More
Dog Shock CollarsDog shock collars are a touchy subject among... Read More
Natural preventative pet care isn't a new thing but it... Read More
We've recently moved into a new apartment complex that really... Read More
Talk to the animals?Yes.And what's more, they talk to us!If... Read More
A dog, like a human baby, experiences the world through... Read More
Let's face it ? Fido and Fluffy are an important... Read More
Dogs and children are a perfect fit. They are what... Read More
Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most... Read More
One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract... Read More
Training a dog is a fairly difficult task. Some find... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More
Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these 'How... Read More
For Discus fish, there are 2 consideration in tanks -... Read More
Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even... Read More
There are lots of ways a horse can go lame.... Read More
Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show... Read More
As much as you may love your cute, new puppy,... Read More
Congratulations on your choice to bring home a West Highland... Read More
Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most... Read More
The greatest fear of most pet owners is that there... Read More
The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,... Read More
Annual Vaccinations for Your Dog?Are they really necessary? - In... Read More
Over the last 15 years, I have raised nine orphaned... Read More
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More
It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence... Read More
Dogs are quite amiable creatures. Much like our human counterparts,... Read More
Many dog owners are bewildered when they hear their dog... Read More
Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is... Read More
In a world of computer games, the Internet and shopping... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
Lovebirds are so named from the way they sit close... Read More
Puppies need to go to the bathroom after they play,... Read More
Still remember that very moment when you first laid your... Read More
Just because we moved out to the country a couple... Read More
MuttShack Foundation for Animal Foster and Rescue, claim that dogs... Read More
Preparing yourself and your household before, during, and after your... Read More
If you are keen on breeding Goldfish, you should know... Read More
So you just loved that sweet little puppy that you... Read More
Westie Grooming ? When your west highland white terrier becomes... Read More
Giving your dog a bath is important, but not as... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
When looking to purchase a purebred dog, you need to... Read More
The best thing to do is to start training your... Read More
When you take into account that there are over 68,000,000... Read More
As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
Pet |