How to fix "Blowing through the Gate"

[earlybp]

So I went to take Bert out for a walk yesterday, and while I was relatching the gate, Eddie decided to push it open, push past me and run out into the yard (where he eluded capture for a half-hour and enjoyed lots of yummy green grass).

I am going to have to tie everyone or put folks in stalls whenever I want to take one horse out of the corral. There must be a way to train this behavior. Any ideas?

[dcsmmi]

I use alot of Clinton Anderson type stuff - lunging for respect - getting them to read your body language and turning left, right and backing based on my movements (without having to have a halter or lead). When my Buddy is on his game - I can point and send him anywhere - including a straight back - off lead. Of course he hasn't been worked with in a while... but.... Anyway - if you get them responsive enough - you ought to be able to put your hand up and block him or send him away without risk of getting yourself trampled.

Another trick that seems to work is to put them on lead (I like rope halters for this - it gives you more leverage and makes them not want to crowd you) - lead them to the gate, making sure they are being polite and at your shoulder - not leading you - then quickly back them away. Then a little farther through - then back. Farther - then back. That just seems to teach them that you are in control in the gate area.

Worse case scenario - and it's hard when you're trying to lead one and dodge a second one - but you could carry a dressage whip - not to be used as a whip (in fact I take the little stinger off the end of mine so I don't accidentally zap them) - but use it as an extension of your arm and hold one at bay!! lol It's kind of like the Parelli carrot stick or Clinton's Stick & String.

Good luck.. and be careful...

[wendyp]

I had this problem with my almost 3 year old PerchX filly............she would BLOW thru any opening, and it just didn't matter what was in the way. She was down right dangerous.

I am not a huge Parelli fan, but I hired a trainer friend who was heavily into Parelli (now she does lots of different stuff) and she worked with my filly 2 or 3 times, and now she NEVER tries to get out the gate - she doesn't even think about it. She didn't really work on the gate, other than to back her thru it several times. I don't think it had so much to do with the gate as it did with the filly not having any training (my bad!!!). Teresa will be back this spring to work with her somemore - I just don't have the time or the patience.......... exactly why I didn't homeschool my kids!!!!!

I bet Kathleen can help with this............again, it's not really about the gate, it's just a hole in his training that you need to fill. My horses training looks like swiss cheese - we never run out of things to work on with Kathleen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WendyP/Bend, OR

[earlybp]

I took a look at the situation last night, and realized that it was a competition between Eddie and our new Pippa.
Pippa has no respect for the gatekeeper, and Eddie didn't want her to get out ahead of him.
My solution was to tie Pippa up away from the gate and then work with Eddie on backing from the gate. Eddie's a good enough boy to back up and stay backed up if I ask.
Bert put up with all of this with much eye-rolling as he played the role of going through the gate. ("In and out, in and out, isn't it time for our walk?"). He is such an eyeore.
Now it's Pippa that I'm going to have to really work on, with your excellent suggestions- Darla and Wendy- THANKS