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Post by jenm on Jan 22, 2007 18:32:03 GMT -5
There are various schools of thought on teaching foals to lead. I would love to hear your thoughts on what works, what doesn't etc. I am just starting this and would like to hear from the great minds on this board.
Please share your teaching methods. I'm sure there are others besides me who would appreciate your suggestions.
Thank you!
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Post by mkgbuegel on Jan 22, 2007 19:48:19 GMT -5
I teach them to lead a little at a time. I break it down into very small steps. I teach them about giving to pressure first, just using the halter and my hands.
My goal is to go slow enough that they don't freak and pull away once you have a lead rope attached. If they do pull away, I dont let go, because if I do I am inadvertently teaching them how to get away. I hold on and release pressure the minute they give even a little.
I guess what I am trying to say is, take baby steps, set up a good solid foundation. Make sure they understand about pressure and that you will release it if they do the right thing.
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Post by gratefulknits on Jan 22, 2007 20:11:07 GMT -5
So mk, would you say the same thing about not letting go for a big horse? Like Pippin? If I'm wearing gloves I MIGHT stand a chance of holding her if she starts to really freak and pull away, but I don't know! What do you think?
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Post by mkgbuegel on Jan 22, 2007 20:47:09 GMT -5
Well, Pippin is in a similar catagory. But she is worried and she has learned how to evade and shes big, so it may take a little extra time to set things up so she can do the right thing. I think your best bet with Pippin is to spend allot of time hanging out with her up on her hill, rubbing her, grooming a little, putting the halter on and taking the halter off. Work with her wheres shes comfortable, on her hill. When the time seems right you can start working with her on yeilding to pressure with her halter on, no lead yet. Just by gently pulling the nose down and as soon as she makes any effort to lower her head, release the halter, rub her and do it again. This is a really simplified version of what I would do, unfortunately there are allot of variables when dealing with the pulling away problem, we can talk about other options tomorrow. Modified to add: There are lots of ways to deal with this problem, we just have to find the right solution for both of you  |
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Post by jenm on Jan 22, 2007 23:02:29 GMT -5
I teach them to lead a little at a time. I break it down into very small steps. I teach them about giving to pressure first, just using the halter and my hands. Funny enough, this is just what I was doing with him tonight. We worked on slight head turns with release and scratches as a reward. He did really well. We didn't work on this for very long, but he didn't resist at all. I'm being cautious with this since I know mules can be unforgiving and I don't want to lose his trust. mk, I like your style. We should talk about what it would take to get you down here to work with us one afternoon. |
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Post by gratefulknits on Jan 22, 2007 23:57:13 GMT -5
Hey, if you succeed in getting her go down your way, I'm going to hide in her truck so I can meet Sir Prize! But don't take her away for too long; I need her up here!
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Post by wendyp on Jan 23, 2007 10:47:59 GMT -5
I don't have alot of experience with this, but have watched alot of TV!!!! haha.
Have you tried leading the mare, and 'leading' the foal behind? In the very beginning, it's kinda like their idea to lead because they want to follow mom. Helps them get used to the pressure without freaking out. You can have whoever is leading mom turn, stop, start, and ask the foal to do the same thing - since he's probably going to do it anyway, it just kind of gives a command (pressure) and reward (release) to the act...........don't know if that makes sense or not......it's like teaching a puppy to sit by saying 'sit' as the puppy is starting to sit of its own accord...........it eventually gets the idea what 'sit' means because when he does it, he gets a treat..........eliminates the wrestling, pushing down on the puppy's butt and saying SIT. The reward for a horse is release.
Hope some of that makes sense!
WendyP/Bend, OR
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Post by jenm on Jan 23, 2007 11:43:56 GMT -5
Wendy: Great Idea!
I'll give this a try. Thank you!
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Post by watermarkfarm on Jan 25, 2007 12:19:52 GMT -5
Hi Jen,
Get hold of John Lyons' video "Leading and Loading." Everything you need to halter train your baby is there. Watching it made me realize that all my PMU mares (and most of my horses!) were never properly halter trained, so I halter broke them all over again. Lyons starts the foal with a soft burlap sack around its neck and teaches it the go forward cue. Very gentle, easy method.
I have now halter trained a handful of babies and re-trained about 10 adults horses with this method. This is a super video, very much worth owning! The trailer loading part is great, too (I don't totally agree with it all, but good basics)
Katie
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