I look after an 18 month old colt who is recovering from an operation for OCD. The recovery period is 3 months stable rest with 20/30 minutes walking in hand a day. The problem is, he is becoming increasingly difficult to walk in hand. His manners in the stable are perfect, but when I walk him he seems to know every trick in the book to try and escape from me. I currently walk him with a chain over his nose, which I know is controversial, but my safety and keeping him quiet have to be my first priority. I would really appreciate some advice on how else to make him walk nicely in hand.
Laurie Posted From: 209.233.215.238
Posted on Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 05:22 pm:
You might consider trying to pony him off of another horse. You ride a horse (well trained and well behaved) and hold him just like you were walking him, you'll have a bit more leverage with the horse and you'll be out of his way so you don't get stepped or pushed on...
Trying to contain a young colt for that long won't be easy, but using a pony horse might help.
I too, was going to suggest ponying, if possible. If not, here are some things that helped me when I had a 22 month old colt on stall rest with hand walking: Feed him FIRST. A well fed colt is much easier to handle than a hungry one. Then if you have any grass, hand graze him before the actual walking. Walk then graze, walk then graze. Make him mind his manners, and don't let him pull and decide when to graze, but that helps him get into quiet mode. The chain over the nose is probably necessary and wise, or a be-nice halter will help as well. I actaully think you have more control with the be nice halter, and it is not going to pinch his nose like a chain. Keep him in close proximity to the barn. The farther away you get, the more frisky he will be. This is not the time for challenging walks, as he will hop around and that is not what you want. You can also try (if the vet allows) breaking the time into 2 times a day rather than one time a day. this seems to work better. And remember, the first 5 minutes are usually the worst! good luck. Z
Anonymous Posted From: 194.109.165.50
Posted on Sunday, December 05, 2004 - 01:49 am:
Thanks, some top suggestions here! I did used to walk him right before carrot time, so of course he was keen to get back to his stable, and I never registered that this could be part of the problem! I love the idea of graze/walking him, but I have quite a walk to get to the grass and he is so full of beans that I prefer to walk him in the indoor school for the moment! I have the perfect horse in mind for your ponying suggestions, before his operation his field buddy was a 20 year old gelding who is so sweet and well behaved, they are stabled beside each other, so walking together shouldn't be TOO exciting for the colt! I am going to try this next week, so I'll keep you posted on how it goes! I'm also very interested in the 'be nice halter' but I'm not sure where to get hold of one (I live in Holland). Thanks again for the tips! p.s. I do already walk him 2 times/15 minutes and you're right it is much easier, and breaks up his boring day!
Anonymous Posted From: 24.224.219.20
Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 07:28 pm:
Try walking him, stopping and backing, then walking on again. I carry a whip and put it in front of their chest and say "whoa" to get them to halt. If they don't halt I'll tap them. I will then ask them to back but putting pressure on the chest. If they don't back up I will give them a sharp tap. I find gaining this kind of control of stopping backing and doing various tight turns to and away from you will make a horse more respectful of the fact that he has to pay attention to you and that you are in control. I carry a spray bottle of cold water or bitter spray and spray them in the face whenever they try to bite or turn in. My horses are clicker trained so when they halt and back up properly I click and give them a treat. I know a lot of people will say don't hand feed Colts/stallions, but I find if they earn it and get a treat with a click, they if anything become less mouthy. You can research clicker training online or order a book.
Anonymous Posted From: 24.224.219.20
Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 07:31 pm:
A chain over the nose is definatly a good safety precaution if your horse is not leading well. If they rear I bonk them on the head with a whip and/or put pressure over the poll with and lunge line or lead rope.
Anonymous Posted From: 194.109.165.50
Posted on Tuesday, December 07, 2004 - 06:29 am:
Yes, I have found that making him take a few steps backwards the second he starts trying to push his weight around really helps me win back his respect. However, I will not whip him over the head or spray anything in his face. He is only 18 months old and I don't want him growing up head shy.
Sandy Posted From: 4.228.249.130
Posted on Tuesday, December 07, 2004 - 12:50 pm:
I agree. You should never strike a young horse about the face or head, or spray anything in their face. They will begin to learn that anything coming near their face means punishment. You are only asking for trouble by doing that when it comes time to start bitting and bridling that horse. As for the be nice halter, you might want to try www.statelinetack.com. I think they sell them, but I'm not positive. I have used the be nice halter a lot during training and it is a wonderful training tool. It just applies pressure on the poll and teaches the horse to lower its head and not to pull while on a lead. Good luck with your colt
Anonymous Posted From: 194.109.165.50
Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 04:50 am:
I know someone who has a be nice halter and they are going to let me borrow it, if I like it I will buy one. Thanks for the information!
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