My colt is stubborn

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I have a colt that is trained to a halter, but he won't lead, and he's almost seven months old. When I try to lead him, he just stands there or rears. I don't want to train him with a whip, and I don't have anyone around to help me. My dad is the only other 'horse person' and he works during the day. Any ideas?

-- Jessica (jaywig86@psknet.com), December 18, 2001

Answers

Jessica.....the best advice is to leave this colt alone and let a "horse person" train him right!

You sound like you are a young person with a great desire to have this animal as your friend......take this advice most of all....NO WHIPS!!!!!

"Trained to a halter"....you mean he wears a halter? If so that's a far cry from leading and taking voice commands.

Please let your father (or a "horse person") train this colt.....you could be injured or worse!

-- Jason in S.Tenn. (AJAMA5@netscape.net), December 18, 2001.


Sounds like the colt really needs a more experienced handler. usually I use a "butt rope" on my young foals to train them to lean. This is a soft cotton rope around their hindquarters so that i can put pressure there rather than their heads. When I want them to move forward I pull the butt rope than also put a little pressure on the lead rope. Most foal will move forward to releave the pressure from their rump. After a bit of this they get the hang & I usually have the week old foal totally halter broke in one or two lessons. However, I do suggest you have another person who is more experienced help you with the colt. If he is already learning to rear up, the next step could be having him strike with his front feet and that can be very dangerous.

Also, I have no idea why people are so afraid of whips. Used properly they are really just supposed to be an extension of your hand! They were not intended for beating an animal into submission.

-- ellie (elnorams@aol.com), December 19, 2001.


Is your colt gelded? I don't think he's being stubborn as much as he doesn't know what is expected of him. Will he walk along with you at his side, not really being led, but just walking? If so, when he takes one step praise him like he's just won Rolex. After a several minutes of him just walking around (if he will), gently pull back on the leadrope and stop him. He probably doesn't give to pressure either. Gently ask him for a step, if he gives it praise him again. If he still won't do anything but stand there, you are going to have to have help. Place a person on each side of his hindquarters, careful-does he kick? have them link hands, gently, but firmly have them apply pressure, when he takes a step have them stop immediately and praise him again-- a lot. Go very slow, babies this age have the attention span of 10 minutes--tops.

I use a butt rope when they're babies too, it works well. The key is daily handling. I have a soon to be 9 year old off the track Thoroughbred mare (I bought her when she was 7) that was never taught to lead properly, or to tie. It took awhile but now she leads and ties like a trooper.

Good luck, and please, if he continues to rear get help from your dad, or a professional.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), December 19, 2001.


Hi, Jessica! Horses are like people, they come in all temperments, and some are very smart and some can be slow to learn. Have patience with him and yourself, DON'T be in a hurry... you and he have plenty of time. Seven months old is a BABY (pretend your trying to teach a toddler something) & he doesn't know anything, so it's important that whatever you do, end on a good note. Don't give him major tasks, just spend 5 minutes on something.. he doesn't have the mental capacity to take major training steps in. If you have to do this by yourself, get a ROUND PEN and get on the John Lyons, Pat Parelli, or Monty Roberts websites (any trainers supporting gentle methods) and get some good info. Actually, I'm a big fan of Linda Tellington Jones' TTOUCH methods; look her up.. GREAT stuff for beginners and seasoned horsemen alike.

He does need to be gelded ASAP, that will change his attitude in a major way within a few weeks. A whip doesn't have to be a weapon.. you CAN use a whip as an extension of your arm, not as a means of punishment. Take your time, take your time. If he ties, you can do a lot just brushing him and picking up his feet. Remember, always end on a good note. Good luck, I'll be thinking of you! debra in nm

-- debra in nm (onegoatgirl@yahoo.com), December 19, 2001.


... and if it's not working, STOP! Like the people said, get an experienced person to help. If it's not working, and you keep at it, all you're doing is training him to do the wrong thing. Better to do nothing than to do that.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), December 19, 2001.


Well, in a case like this we do use a whip, but not as a weapon. Someone stands to the side of the young horse encouraging it to move forward while someone to the rear lightly taps it on the rear with a whip making sure to stay out of kicking reach. This has worked very well for us. It doesn't take long for them to get the message. Eve Lyn

-- Eve Lyn (evelynv@valuelinx.net), December 21, 2001.

I would try the soft cotton butt rope too. Be gentle with him and as Don said, stop if it is not working. You don't want him to learn any bad habits. Good luck and take your time!

-- cowgirlone (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), December 21, 2001.

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