If your horse is calm, place the middle of that soft, thick lead rope around your horse's front foot and while holding both ends of the rope, start with a gentle pull to suggest the horse come forward. Hold until he gives to the pressure. You may help him get the idea with an added gentle pull on your halter lead rope. Once he comes forward, release all pressure, smile and rub him.
If the horse resists, hold pressure until you get a try. Any little try. Horses want comfort and will guess on how to get it. Make sure you do not release all pressure should he resist or go the other way you are directing him. As prey animals, the first instinct is to push against pressure, not give to it. Mother Nature put this in a horse's head as a survival tool. Giving without fight or panic has to be patiently taught.
Once your horse's one foot understands to follow a feel, make sure all of his feet can do it! Then change positions, standing to the side and ask your horse to not only move forward, but to the side. DO NOT pull hard to the side with your horse's hind feet, as you could pull a stifle (knee joint).
Changing positions again once your horse is doing soft yields to the other exercises, ask him to back up using the foot rope. Keep out of the kick zone, remember all horses can kick if frightened. Gently ask and reward each try.
All the above exercises can be practiced over time until the horse feels the rope and immediately comes toward the slightest pull without worry or consideration. We are looking for willingness and acceptance. The old pattern of resisting pressure becomes a new pattern of giving to pressure.
Now when you hand graze your horse, you can allow a long lead rope attached to his halter to lie on the ground and test what your horse will do with rope pressure between his front legs. If he tries to turn,
. Wait for him to give in the direction of the pull. When he understands, put the rope low between front and back legs. Guide his head to stay forward as he backs up with the feel of the rope. Any slight try, you release, smile and rub your horse.
I like the front left leg cuffed to picket, more than a halter or neck collar, because the rope stays low. Wide leg cuffs with buckles come in leather or nylon. Tether ropes can be encased in a 15 foot garden hose so as not to wrap around a pastern. Anchor with a picket ground anchor that twists into the ground. Practise at first during the day with some hay tossed around, and closely monitor your horse. Then picket in different areas at different times of the day.
Unprepared horses can pull tendons and break legs. It's important to think about what trouble your horse can get into and work to avoid heartache. If you have done your homework, your horse will eat his hay and picket happily for you without fuss as you enjoy your camping trip in the great outdoors.
For more information: www.nancyslater.com
gently block his head from turning with your hand while holding the rope pressure. Wait for him to give in the direction of the pull. When he understands, put the rope low between front and back legs. Guide his head to stay forward as he backs up with the feel of the rope. Any slight try, you release, smile and rub your horse.
I like the front left leg cuffed to picket, more than a halter or neck collar, because the rope stays low. Wide leg cuffs with buckles come in leather or nylon. Tether ropes can be encased in a 15 foot garden hose so as not to wrap around a pastern. Anchor with a picket ground anchor that twists into the ground. Practise at first during the day with some hay tossed around, and closely monitor your horse. Then picket in different areas at different times of the day.
Unprepared horses can pull tendons and break legs. It's important to think about what trouble your horse can get into and work to avoid heartache. If you have done your homework, your horse will eat his hay and picket happily for you without fuss as you enjoy your camping trip in the great outdoors.
Nancy Slater
Horse Behavior Specialist
Licensed 2 Star Parelli Professional
Ana Gerrard demonstrates leading a horse by the foot. Congratulations to Ana for recently passing her Parellì Level 1!