Bolting horse under lead line

[system]

Hi I am new here. I posted here because the majority of what I do is trail ride. I was hoping someone could help me find breaks for my horse.

I have a 10 y/o “some kind of draft mix” gelding. Overall a sweet big ol guy. I’ve had him for about 1.5 years. Problem is he has learned about how strong his neck is. He’s taken to bolting away under lead. Now, this isn’t out of fear. If he spooks he actually stays with me. And when we’re walking he is respectful of my space and isn’t allowed to get his head past me. This is purely a " I want to go in a different direction" behavior. I’ve done alot of Parelli and alot of softening (he flexes very nicely) and even disengaging… but alas when something temping arises off he goes and I land in the dirt.

I actually did try the “Be Nice Halter”, double knotted halter, thin rope halter lower on the nose and now use a stud chain… it doesn’t matter he still goes… any suggestions to help me stop him in his tracks before he pulls my arms off?

[rainechyldes]

Sadly we 've got one of these… or had, I should say.
It’s a pain when they figure it out. the only way I ever managed to curtail it over the years was to always ensure while leading that he never got a chance to get the rope laid over his inside shoulder in order to pull away and fly off merrily.

Makes leading look a bit ugly, but it beats chasing a loose horse, you need to lead him short (meaning hand up by the lead clip) and force him to keep his nose leaned to the inside (where you are leading him from) Eventually… they get that they aren’t getting away anymore, because they can’t get the power into the pull since you are able to swing them around you more quickly when they start to get the ‘im going’ thing on.

[system]

Oh… this is second time I’ve heard this. I actually had a very well known trainer say this was a hard habit to break once a horse learns it. My tri-ceps will get a work out… my arms will be up.

[Foxtrot_s]

I know somebody who had success with a chiffley bit (stallion ring).

He’s got his timing down perfectly and once the train is underway you are done for. Be quicker than he is and before the idea gets from his head to his legs, yank him as hard as you have to. Once you have mastered him, he will give in, but it will take time and they never forget the trick…and can pull it any time you are not wary. We had a pony that tried running off with every new rider - until that kid got the upper hand, then it waited for the next, the little brat.

Another horse looked to the right when being loaded. A split second later it was gone…until the owner pre-empted the move.

[howardh]

http://www.toklat.com/dyn_prod.php?p=10-323&k=87215

This is a great halter for this type of horse.

Good luck

[49_er]

I had a young stallion who learned to bolt and run when I was turning him out in pasture. I cured him with a leather lunging cavesson. The lead was attached to the front of the nose and I had the leverage to stop him in his tracks.

[gothedistance]

Neighbor boarded a horse similar to this. The only method that worked was the chain over the nose and a firm hand.

Sorry to say – as helpful as it is for other horses, Parelli and “be nice” halters aren’t going to work with this guy. He’s already figured out he’s alpha, you’re beta, and he is going to get his way irregardless because he knows he is bigger and stronger. You aren’t going to change his mind. Your only hope is to modify his behavior to be respectful of what you will do to him if he misbehaves.

Use the chain over the nose all the time, every time, rain or shine. Change your attitude to that of a dictator: be forceful, do not nice. Put him on a lunge line in an enclosed area, chain over his nose, and teach him the meaning of obedience. He needs to stop and go at your command. He also needs to be immediately obedient to the command “back up”.

Foxtrot is absolutely dead correct. Get that respect of the nose chain and your power with that chain, new shirts with bigger sleeves to fit your new arm muscles, and you should be OK.

[ponygrl25]

I totally second the chain over the nose. He has your number… Not a safe behavior at all. Not sure of your experience using a chain. If you haven’t used one before, you might want to find someone who has to help you out. Make sure your chain is long enough, I prefer a 30 in. chain with a rope attached that is at least 8 feet long. The short leads with a 20 in. chain and short rope are dangerous. You need enough length so if he does take exception you have enough rope to stay in control, but not right under his nose. I have been known to lead a horse, especially a young one with a chain over it’s nose and a regular lead rope so I only have to use the chain if necessary. It’s like my little insurance policy…

I don’t like to have to use a chain on a horse forever, but he must respect you!! I found this article and it’s pretty helpful if you are new to this. Good luck!! http://www.raraequus.com/articles/horse_stud_chain.htm

[ponygrl25]

Oh yeah, and wear gloves. Always, no matter what!!!

[Appsolute]

Good pointers!

Equipment:

Gloves
stud chain
lead rope at least standard length, if not longer.

I would add, don’t let the lead get too long, keep his shoulder at your shoulder (NONE of that parelli long lead, horse trailing behind you stuff!!).

If he starts to turn his head away from you and drag…you need to INSTANTLY react!

I would use my voice, loudly to get his attention as I:

Grabbed FIRMLY on the lead, dug my heels into the dirt, and YANKED his head around. No nicey nice here, this is LISTEN TO ME NOOOOOOOW stuff.

Things that might help turning the big ol’ guy as he takes off… Digging an elbow into his shoulder / neck attachment along with the yank and growl to help get his head turned. (also, on the same note, there is a pressure point where the lower neck muscle meets the chest. You can grab this point, and it will immobilize or slow down most horses, and cause them to flex their neck, and turn their face towards you.)

If the above (yell, yank, elbow / neck pinch) does not work, I would probably whorl the slack of my lead rope and give the hind quarters a good whack on the right side (along with yell and yank ) to disengage the hind quarters, hopefully spinning the horse around to face me.

When you get him under control, I would ask for a bit more (ie backing, or otherwise submitting) and then praise. Use your voice while training through this. If you are consistent (voice, yank/ shank, backing), he will start to anticipate the punishment when he hears you reprimand him (use the same thing each time, like a loud "HEY!). I have one or two like this that have been reformed. Now and then they will turn like they are going to take me for a drag, and all I have to do is yell HEY! While raising my hand (to yank on the lead), and they stop in their tracks.

I am usually not a yell, scream, growl, yank and shank kind of trainer, but there are some things you need to get their attention, “running off” biting and kicking get this sort of reaction from me. They are all REALLY dangerous things for horse and handler.

[wylde_sage]

A very timely post for me. I have been recruited to ground train a Belgian PMU gelding. 4 years old and spooky. He uses this exact same behavior to get his own way. Why is it these very large horses know their size so well?

I have gotten his trust but have not broken him of this habit. I will be using a chain next as well. I usually run him until he is sweaty in the pen when he pulls away…he seems to like to breathe and when he can’t he’s not as obnoxious.

Good luck, thanks for posting this and let us know how it works out.

[system]

Thanks all for the great tips. I will try these. My timing may not be down but he is running through the stud chain as well. It doesn’t even phase him. I will try yelling too and see how that works…So frustrating. He’s really good other than this.

[LookmaNohands]

[QUOTE=ButterScotch;5603312]
Thanks all for the great tips. I will try these. My timing may not be down but he is running through the stud chain as well. It doesn’t even phase him. I will try yelling too and see how that works…So frustrating. He’s really good other than this.[/QUOTE]

If you still have trouble with this you might try rewarding him for staying with you rather than punishing him for trying to leave. When he gets away he is rewarding himself so that is why he keeps doing it.

Alexandra Kurland has some great clicker training exercises for this that teaches the horse to walk next to you on a loose lead.

Carolyn Resnick’s liberty training also teaches the horse to stay with even if you try to run away from the horse. It is quite fun and one of my horses has gotten pretty good at it!:yes:

Good luck!

[alabama]

@wylde sage;5603289

Why is it these very large horses know their size so well?

Sadly, it’s not just the big ones. My standard donk (12-13 hh) has taken me skiing a time or two. That devil is STRONG! and with that short neck, I’m not much opposition.

Luckily, he hasn’t done it in years.

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

Ditto on the elbow in the neck and the neck pinch. They’re what worked for my last horse, a warmblood/draft cross who had a nasty habit of charging out of his stall. He would run right through a chain over the nose. The elbow in the neck would usually throw him off balance enough to make him stop, and if I missed my timing on that, the neck pinch always got his attention. It takes a little practice to find the right spot. And by “pinch,” I’m talking about “grab a big hunk of skin and twist as hard as you can.” As soon as he turned, I let go, so he learned really quickly that stopping was the way to make me let go…

[candyappy]

My mule used to do this. A chain is your best friend and quick reaction time is a must when he starts to turn. I didn’t have to use a chain, but used a full cheek snaffle and lead him with that. When he started to turn his head to drag me to places unknown I went with him and MADE him keep turning, turning, turning until we were both dizzy. He didn’t find it so fun anymore. Now he leads fine in just a halter.

[candyappy]

[QUOTE=ButterScotch;5603312]
Thanks all for the great tips. I will try these. My timing may not be down but he is running through the stud chain as well. It doesn’t even phase him. I will try yelling too and see how that works…So frustrating. He’s really good other than this.[/QUOTE]

Is he spooking or just suddenly turning his head AWAY from you and dragging you along?? I also used a long rope with my mule and when he started to go I would bring the rope around behind him( right above the hocks)around to the other side of his body ( the way his head was turning to) and just pull. He ended up falling a couple of times because he was in fact pulling against himself. I raised this guy so I knew he wasn’t afraid of ropes and knew he wouldn’t kick. I think you need to jerk on that chain if he isn’t listening, just once and make it a good one.

[system]

First and foremost I want to thank you for such great tips!!!
I’ve got a few messages and seen that other people are having some problems. So let me tell you so far what I’ve learned.

1. This is a very common problem with Drafts and Draft mixes.
   Their necks are so strong they learn early on they can use
   them, and this is after all the great disengaging, becoming the herd leader, becoming soft.
2. I have a friend with a Haflinger. She has someone on the Yahoo site going through a similiar problem. She explained that there was someone who advised to bit the horse up, making them slightly flex to the inside while leading them. They can’t get their heads away to bolt. I actually tried this today, it worked very well! And better yet, he learned that if he kept his head in to me, he got release.
3. Gotta love the draft breeds. gentle giants, maybe. But I’d say, gentle giants that can move pretty quick when they know what muscle they have.
4. I am also going to try the pinching if he does bolt. It might distract him, if I can move fast enough.
5. So, a bit has replaced the stud chain and I will certainly keep you all posted of our progress.

B.

[wylde_sage]

3. Gotta love the draft breeds. gentle giants, maybe. But I’d say, gentle giants that can move pretty quick when they know what muscle they have.

Boy Howdy is that ever true!! One learns perseverance with these critters. Well, them and mustangs!:lol:

[Starting-Point-Stabl]

How interesting. I came here a few months ago because a student of mine (on my recomendation! ACK!) purchased a horse that had this nasty habit! He was kept in a back yard and his working domain was about 100 X 100 ft so we never saw the habit until we got him home! They didn’t disclose until AFTER when the teenage seller and teenage buyer communicated and the selling party said “yeah… someone took him and returned him before you bought him”. WELL HELLS BELLS, I wonder why?!?

Anyhow… I was JUST going to login here to BRAG how far he had come… http://youtu.be/yXul5Ok1dY4 LOOK, doing in hand work with OUT a halter! Until he bolted with me 3 TIMES LAST NIGHT going from stall to pasture. THEN he bolted with my SO (and me once I got involved) twice this morning.

I think it is a VERY VERY hard habit to break. And this drafty guy is like yours, calm, isn’t bomb proof but you never catch him running about the field when the others are bouncing around with their tails flipped over their backs. He isn’t exactly hot, hyper or quick to spook. I also do not believe he is afraid of us. I never have a problem catching him in his stall or when he is turned out to pasture.

I’m going to read all the replies in this thread but I’ve really searched the net and found two courses of action beyond what most people would easily try TO COPE with the issue (chains on the nose, something in the mouth, something over the gums, rope halters, two people, ground handling education, making sure it isn’t fear based/desensitizing training);

1. Tying the horse off to something high and solid (tree / tele pole) and hazing it until they figure out it is unpleasant to hit the end of the line and

2. Treat based training (clicker training).

I will admit I don’t think I’d have the time (and I live here at the farm) to pursue BREAKING this habit (not just COPING with it to get him turned out and brought in). :-\ We take this horse in and out daily - and we use it as ground training. He is asked to stop, stop and back, stop and side pass, stop and turn on the forehand every X many strides. He is also asked to walk over obstacles etc. This horse has def had a boot camp of ground training in the past 5 months. We even work on ground tying him.

The chain OVER the nose was NOTHING to him. Chain UNDER the chin, thru the rings of a stiff rope halter with nose knots made more of an impression. He graduated to a rope hater with a chin strap (think the chain configuration but with softer rope halter rope). Until his little ‘fall off the wagon’ last night and this morning.

I’M SO FREAKIN’ BUMMED that he had this utter outburst last night and this morning!!! It’s like one of those OSHA “X number of days accident free” signs. His counter has just been reset. BOOO HISS!

I’m starting to wonder if this behavior is like being an alcoholic. You can rehab them but it will ALWAYS be there ready to manifest if the temptation is great enough and the support system (a valid leader) is too weak.