Foal Help Please - STRONG Foal pulling badly on lead...

[Mona]

I have a 4 month weanling colt. I have been working on training him to walk on the lead. I finally got him over the jumping and lunging forward with every step, and he will walk, but now he pulls REALLY hard! I have blisters on one of my fingers from one short session of trying to hold him back.

Most foals will stop this after a few tries, but this guy is determined that HE is in charge! I thought about a chain over the nose(like a stud chain) but feel that is likely too harsh for such a young baby. Is there a more gentle way to teach him that pulling is not acceptable?? I havn't tried backing him, as he will likely rear with each attempt. Any help and tried and true tips appreciated!! Thanks!

 

[lilhorseladie]

I wouldn't use a chain, but I wouldn't oppose a strap or rope. That would give him the same pressure without the bite. Other than that. I am at a loss. Best wishes.

 

[Jetiki]

I have a 3 month old colt with the same problem, in older horses I have corrected it by abruptly changing directions, short tugs on the lead, stuff like that, but my colt isn't responding to those, the short tugs on the halter get his attention, he also turns his butt to me to kick me, he learned he could do that in June, so now he tries everytime I mess with him, he'll come up all nicey nice if I'm kneeling, then when I stand up he pins the ears, and swings his rear and kicks out if I don't push his rump over. I'm at a loss with this guy. Sorry I couldn't be of more help but at least you know your not alone

Karen

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

When I start my foals.. I put the halter on them over there bodies not the head (a adult sizehalter ) picture kinda like a dog harness.. this way we can each sort of pull a bit more without worrying about there neck and any injury. It is also a bit easier to prevent them from pulling and dragging since you have more control over the center of there body

 

[horsefeather]

Mona,

We had a couple of weanling shetlands that just wouldn't lead. So we tied them in their stall against a solid wall (the barn is built with metal trusses, so we tied to that) with a fairly short bungee cord. We got good strong ones so they couldn't break them. We did this everyday for an hour or so and it wasn't long before they led great.

Pam

 

[AJ]

Take a separate lead rope and put it around his hind end, and pull as you lead. He will not back into that rope as it is very uncomfortable.

 

[Sunraye Miniatures]

If you do use a chain, put it under the chin, not over it. However, at this time of his age he will probably fight it. What I would do is instead of leading him while he is pulling, stop, grab on with two hands and yell "NO" and do a couple of sharp tugs. Once he settles down, pet him, and go on. After you go on for several feet, and he was a good boy, stop, love on him and tell him he is a good boy.

Good luck!

 

[qtrrae]

Mona,

One of the things I have tried that seems to work really great is put a cotton rope on to their halter and leave them in a stall or small pen with the rope dragging. They learn to give automatically to the rope. It seems to work so well and really teaches the babies to respect the rope. I always use cotton so that they don't get rope burns. I do this several times-not sure if this will help but it is certainly worth a try.

 

[mizbeth]

I have seen lots of big horse people halter break their horses the way you just mentioned. Leave a lead rope attached and dragging, when they step on it it usually stops them short. I guess it teaches them other things too, and can be used for a hard to catch horse.

I think the short, firm tug and NO should work. I agree, probably not a chain either over or under the nose at this time. Praises when he is good and so on.

Let us know how he progresses? These little guys are pretty smart, he will figure it out soon. He is just confused now as to what you want I bet.

Beth

 

[Mona]

Thanks for everyone's input thus far. I may not have explained this well enough though...the problem is not that he is pulling BACKWARDS on the lead, he is pulling forward. Like a dog that wants to run out ahead, only a lot stronger! LOL! So the butt rope, tieing lessons and giving to the pressure of the rope won;t do too much for him, as it is a different type of problem. I have found those great ways to urge a foal forward, but in this case, he is wanting to be way out in front of me and is pulling forward.

This evening, I took a 3/8" soft rope and looped it through his halter and over his nose when the halter rests to use like a "soft" chain, but that didn't help a whole lot either. He just doesn;t want to give to the pressure. He is one STUBBORN boy!!

He is used to being haltered and being tied, but this pulling forward while leading is the problem we are facing now. When I say he is pulling, I don't mean the typical foal pulling. This is strong and steady pulling! I have not dealt with this in lead training a foal at all in the past.

 

[wiccanz]

There are some good suggestions above, and I am all for tying him up in a safe place, and letting him work it out for himself.

I start teaching my foals within the first week of their wee lives, I simply put a halter and lead on them, sit down in the paddock with them, and they teach themselves about pressure and who's in charge. They soon learn that to lean back results in pressure on their heads, and to come forward releases pressure and results in a scratch or a pat.

If I need to use a bum rope, I do, and I walk them around the paddock a lot with their mothers present so their is no panicking by anyone. I usually find that within a month, I can lead them at walk and trot, even take them out of the paddock and into the barn for a 5 minute brush and tie up, then back to mum (who is usually glad of short respite by then!!

).

Young foals, like puppies, have brains like big sponges - they soak up everything that happens to them. If you fill them with lots of good stuff, it makes for a much easier life for everyone! :bgrin :bgrin

 

[AJ]

After your last post Mona. here is your answer ... You hook him to a cart and let him go. At least you will be able to stay with him and when he tires he will slow down. (oh,oh just remembered, you sold your cart)

 

[MiLo Minis]

Pulling in any direction whether backwards or forwards IS the exact same problem - he is not giving to the pressure of the lead rope. He has not learned to respect the lead and needs to be taught to lead properly. The rope hanging from his halter is a good idea in this case as it will stop him cold as he is moving FORWARD which is as you said your problem. The only problem is that it will take longer. I would take him out and when he surges forward I would stop and put pressure on the lead until he turns and comes to you. It is very important that all pressure is instantly removed when he gives to it just as it would be if he stepped on the lead, stopped and took a step back.

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Mona, my Casey did the same thing at a younger age. I still can't believe how powerful such a little bit of equine can be but I so know what you mean blisters and skinned knees (mine) too. SO, what I did was put a short lead on him and if he went ahead I dug in my heals and did a fast circle, if he straightened out we went forward, if not circle circle circle until I was dizzy and heck maybe he did too cuz after a few days he gave up and just walked at my side! Just a thought, worked for my knot head!

 

[Bluebell]

Mona give this a try.

Take the foal and dam, if necessary, into a smaller pen. Use a long lead rope and loop it around his neck so it hangs low on him where his neck joins his body. Leave lots of slack in the rope so just hold both ends in your hands. Gently move him around the pen with the pressure. You should be able to move him both directions. This way you are not putting any pressure on his head at all. You will be able to move his "body" in the direction you want him to go. It shouldn't take too long to catch on. If you are handy and can handle 2 ropes after he masters the first lesson loop another lead over his hips, let it hang low, and turn him also using that rope. No more blisters for you and it is easy on you and easy on the foal. Might take a few times and he might get it in a matter of 10 mintues. When he catches on don't immediately rush to put the halter on him. Just quit. Next lesson if he responds nicely then you could try the halter once he learns to give instead of fighting. He should lead like a good boy/girl after this or you could tie him to his dam's halter for the first time out after the rope lesson but that shouldn't be neccesary.

 

[Mona]

After your last post Mona. here is your answer ... You hook him to a cart and let him go. At least you will be able to stay with him and when he tires he will slow down. (oh,oh just remembered, you sold your cart)

LOL!!! :bgrin

 

[Miniv]

Mona,

I've had adult minis do this when they get excited and handle it the same way for both ages......

I circle them around which brings them back next to me. Sometimes it takes several times before they get the message.

MA

 

[Danielle_E.]

You sound like you are having lot's of fun Mona :bgrin . What about getting a second person with an additional lead attached so that you have the muscle of two people holding him back? You on one side and the other person on the other side? Tell your hubby you want to take "romantic walks" every night with him, lol, and enlist his help. I think with a person on each side of him and a crop so that you can tap him in the chest when he starts to get out of control and forge forward might help him realise that running off ahead is not such a great idea. Good luck!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Here is something that worked for me.

Get in the back of the pickup and have someone drive. Run his lead rope around the hitch if you don't think you are strong enough to hold him--make it where you can release if he gets into trouble. You sit in the back and have the driver go pretty slow, just enough to keep him in a good trot. Keep going until you think he's had a good lesson. The pickup is something he can't dominiate and he finds out it's bigger and stronger than he is, but your voice makes him think it is YOU in charge. One lesson should be enough, but it might take two.

 

[Laura]

Here is something that worked for me.

Get in the back of the pickup and have someone drive. Run his lead rope around the hitch if you don't think you are strong enough to hold him--make it where you can release if he gets into trouble. You sit in the back and have the driver go pretty slow, just enough to keep him in a good trot. Keep going until you think he's had a good lesson. The pickup is something he can't dominiate and he finds out it's bigger and stronger than he is, but your voice makes him think it is YOU in charge. One lesson should be enough, but it might take two.

[SIZE=12pt]I'll speak up here and say this is a really good way to seriously injure or kill any horse, especially a baby. Horses should never, ever be tied to vehicles. They can suffer fatal or severe neck and back injuries, not to mention the damage to their legs and joints. On RARE occasion (like when I am hugely pregnant and can't hold ONTO them), I have tied a senior stallion to the rear rack of the 4 wheeler and barely crept along, watching them every second. Even then I knew I was taking a risk. [/SIZE]