A horse at any level of lead training should never be pulled with a lead rope if the handlers feet are moving. If the handlers feet are moving the lead rope should always be slack.
If you move out and the rope tightens up enough to slide across your open palms, then stop moving your feet and "pop", or sharpley pull, the horse into place. Don't just drag him back into place. Don't look him in the face as you "pop" him into place.
Then start out again with a slack rope. This makes him responsible to pay attention and keep up of his own doing.
At first it is frustrating. But in the end you will have a horse that floats along side of you and moves to your slightest movement. Your horse will move his front feet in conjunction with yours. No matter how incrediblely slow you move your feet or how fast you run. He will become your shadow.
This new attentiveness will also be noticable when in the saddle.
Steve
http://fixabrokehorse.com
Marilyn Mitchell <marilynmitchell61@...> wrote:
>
> I'm glad the topic of lead chains came up. When my trainer first told me to use a chain on Toby (almost 3 yo) I was horrified. It sounded so severe. I wouldn't do it.
>
> Also, I didn't take her advise to not let him graze because it was something I enjoyed doing with him and felt it provided him with complete nutrition.
>
> Now that he's full of energy from being confined he's been acting rather rude during leading. He already knows he doesn't have to respect the Hamilton halter. After learning he didn't have to respect the knotted rope halter, either, I got a chain.
>
> Now I need to learn how to use it properly. I turn him when he gets ahead of me, alternating with backing.
>
> Any other suggestions?
>
> Marilyn
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: LB <llubrannon@...>
> To: haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Mon, February 8, 2010 6:04:41 AM
> Subject: [haflingerfriends] Re: broken elbow - a valuable lesson
>
>
> That stinks.
>
> Our guy was pushy when we got him. After he taught me that I had no leverage against him with a regular lead rope and halter, I used a chain attached to the end of my lead. And we did lots of practice leading. When he would try to pass me - or lead me -, I would stop him and back him up. We've had him almost a year and a half. I don't use the chain now unless he "tells" me that it's going to be that kinda day. He still will test sometimes but not as severe or often. It's just a question that he's asking - "Rules still the same?" And the answer is always "Yes".
>
> Good luck with your haffy. Keep us posted on how it's going.
>
> Lori
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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