I Can't Lead My Cob Back Into His Field

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Posted : 9/13/2009 10:24:22 PM

Hi, I'm having some trouble leading my 14.2 cob back into his field. He's fine when I'm taking him from the field to the stable, he'll even wait for me to open and close the gates. But when I'm taking him back to the field it's a completely different story.
As soon as I get him into a small area of grass thats in front of his field he starts to pull away and because he's much too strong for me to keep hold of I end up having to let go of the rope. Then that's it, I as soon as I try to get near him runs off. And even worse, even if I do manage to get hold of his rope and try to get him back under control he'll spin round and try to kick at me!

I really am lost with what to do. I've tried a control headcollar, and I've even tried taking him back to the field in his bridal but the problem still stays the same. Any advice would be really great x

trainer101

Posted : 9/14/2009 3:04:57 AM

Hi welcome to the forum.

Well what I would do is first get a good rope halter preferably one with the four knots across the nose and a lead rope between 12-14 feet. When you take him out to work with him youll need to be in a safe place where you can do some groundwork. I would recomend Clinton Andersons Gaining respect and control on the ground DVD as it is very step by step and will help you down the road when you need to work on something you can just go bakc and play it again.

When you get him in the rope halter before you take him out of his field I would right away let him feel that halter. Step to the side of him and out a ways then give a good hard pull. IF you are at the right angle he should be forced to step across on the front towards you. Don't try to pull straight on its a loosing battle. Keep doing that for a few minutes so that he can really feel it.

When you get him inside a round pen or arena or small pen I would then start teaching him how to flex and be soft off of that halter. He needs to respect that halter and move off of the pressure. Most horses will lock up their head and necks and just spin around you but thats ok too just take hold of the halter a the cheek peice and hold till you feel him tip his nose just a bit then let him out of it and rub. I think the January training article is still on here if you go back and look. I wrote it on flexing and has some pictures in there as well.

SEcond I would teach him to yeild his hindquarters. For this I usually use a training stick or what ever I have that is fairly firm, more so than a lounge whip. Step to the side and really get after that rear until he hops over and looks at you like you have lost your mind. When he does that then rub all over him. Just so long as he stops facing you I rub all over him then do it again.

Another thing you might try is if the pen is small enough and fenced in safely, when he pulls away from you have your flag ready and make him move those feet. don't let him stop for a while and if he turns his butt to you, really get after him and have him move. Even horses that are fairly soft and know the hind yeild will still try this but after only a few laps usually stop and look at me ready to be caught.

Good luck and stay safe.