The Young Horse: Ground Manners

If your horse pulls back while tied, the problem is that it hasn't learned to respond correctly to the pressure it feels on it's head. We must teach it to give to the pressure it feels. This lesson will help you in leading your horse also.

Step 1
Teach your horse to turn toward the pull of the rope. Using a long line, in the arena or round pen, lead your horse around. Making wide turns, with you to the inside of the turn, gently turn the horse's head toward you as you walk. It should give it's head, bending it's neck toward the direction of the turn. Practice this until your horse is giving easily to this lesson. Do this leading from both the left and the right.

You should not jerk the rope, but use a gentle, steady pressure for a few seconds. Again, we are building toward a goal. The goal is achieved in steps. Don't fight it, if your horse doesn't respond well expect LESS of a turn. See Halter Breaking.

Step 2
When your horse has mastered this lesson, let it have a longer lead before asking for the turn. Do it the same way. Both left and right. If your horse isn't responding well then go back to the first step. Do the first step until mastered, then return to this step.

Step 3
Now your horse is ready to advance to the next lesson - giving to indirect pressure. In this lesson you will bring the rope over your horse's back. You are going to ask the horse to turn into the side the rope is pulling on. You will be on the right, the horse will turn to the left.

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