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.
kitchen deep cleaning Mundelein ..The most important thing to remember in analyzing the behavior... Read More
Do you have a home robotic vacuum cleaner? They are... Read More
General Info.Brine shrimps, or artemia, are a zooplankton used mainly... Read More
According to holistic veternarian Dr. Jane Bicks, the maximum life... Read More
Many dogs today suffer from itchy skin caused by a... Read More
Dog training is definitely not rocket science and is easier... Read More
Was he the world's greatest horse trainer of all time?... Read More
Americans are more concerned about health than ever before, so... Read More
What makes something news? The fact that you take good... Read More
Why paint your cat? After all cats are beautiful creatures... Read More
Our dogs are now, more than ever, a very important... Read More
Animal welfare organizations and humane societies have been very successful... Read More
For realistic tips for humans who are moving with cats,... Read More
Parrots are becoming more popular as pets with each passing... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
1. Clipping the quick when cutting nails.Don't be in a... Read More
Sure, you may be a master of human First Aid.... Read More
When selecting the best dry food for your dog, why... Read More
Dogs come in many assorted breeds, shapes, and sizes. They... Read More
Wolves are magnificent and majestic creatures that have shared this... Read More
While your friends and family are amazed that you're raising... Read More
Everyday someone asks me, "How do you start a pet-sitting... Read More
Stingrays will eat a wide variety of foods. Maintaining a... Read More
Obesity is one of the most important health concerns facing... Read More
Trying to decide if you should get insurance on your... Read More
monthly home cleaning Arlington Heights ..Good filtration is the prime priority in the discus tank.... Read More
For Discus fish, there are 2 consideration in tanks -... Read More
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More
Puppy TrainingPuppy training can be a trying time. The key... Read More
Small dog breeds are great pets, but since their personalities... Read More
The pet food industry, a billion-dollar, unregulated operation, feeds on... Read More
Electric Dog FencesIs an electric dog fence something for you?... Read More
Congratulations on your choice to bring home a West Highland... Read More
Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky... Read More
Guide for training a dogSo you can use a guide... Read More
Who let the dogs out?Remember this song which gave birth... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
They may seem to be bold explorers - sniffing at... Read More
If you have a passion to learn all you can... Read More
Advice!!!-Pet products that are useful, fun and enjoyable will make... Read More
Goldfish HealthcareYou would think that it's unfair that such a... Read More
I'd like to talk to you about pet vaccinations. I... Read More
Potty Training Your Puppy:Make sure you feed your dog at... Read More
Do you have some adult discus fish and want to... Read More
Why paint your cat? After all cats are beautiful creatures... Read More
Have you ever held any Westie puppies? These tiny creatures... Read More
As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it's... Read More
Toy dog breeds include greyhounds, terriers, pinschers, pugs, chihuahuas, pekingese,... Read More
What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
Your cat scratching at your furniture can not only leave... Read More
Pet |