LEFT: T is is a good leading position. T e horse looks alert and confi dent and is walking next to the handler on a relaxed lead. RIGHT: T is is one method to teach a horse not to drag on a lead. Kristi worked the mare in circles on a relaxed line and drove her from behind with a guider whip.
very small steps. Accustom the horse to having his ears, gums and entire mouth handled. When this is accomplished and he is gentle and accepting, you may introduce the bridle. T e Tellington T ouch method of massaging a horse’s mouth and gums is extremely eff ective in correcting mouth, nipping and many other behavioral issues.
✪ Disorderly conduct on a lead line T is can include dragging behind the handler, pulling away or
pushing into the handler’s space. It is a human tendency to hold a horse rather tightly on a lead, and most horses are somewhat claustrophobic. Holding a horse too close can oſt en cause a reaction that is opposite of the desired control. For a horse that lags behind, try carrying a guider whip in your leſt
hand and reach back to tap him gently in the gaskin area as you lead him forward to encourage him to keep up with you. Another correction tactic is to lightly hold a rope around the horse’s rump as you lead him. Keep a very light hold on the rope so that you can easily drop it if your horse becomes tangled or reacts fearfully. If a horse pulls or is “heavy” when you are leading him, try using a
halter with four knots in the noseband and correct him with a tug if he pulls against you. Adjust the halter for a good fi t and don’t let it sit too low on a horse’s face. T e reason is to protect his very sensitive nostril area and the narrow bony bridge of his nose. Each horse has a diff erent reaction to a tug, so begin with a gentle one and increase it if necessary for him to respond. Always use a touch-and-release or pulsating touch rather than constant pressure as it keeps the horse from bracing against you. It works best to anchor the rope against your hip rather than try to pull against a horse with your arms. Keep him in an arc or circle as this will give you bet er control than if he travels in a straight line.
T is young mustang wanted to follow Kristi rather than walk next to her. Aſt er sensitizing him to the feel of the rope over his rump,
she looped the lead from her leſt (leading) hand to her right hand. T is confi guration enabled her to drop the rope immediately to release him if needed. T e working length line is 22 feet.
✪ Rubs on handler or mugs for treats Horses have tremendous strength in their necks and heads, which
makes rubbing on a human dangerous. T e hardware on a bridle or halter can easily hurt or even cut a human’s skin. Establish the “bubble” of personal space that you expect your horse to stay out of. If it is two feet, then always make sure he stays out of that two-foot space unless you invite him to come into it. We use a product called NipBuster (
www.nipbuster.com) as an aid
to control mugging or space violations. It is a harmless, citrus-based spray that fi ts in the palm of the hand. When the horse enters your personal space without permission, quietly and with no emotion spritz it in the vicinity of the horse’s nose. Most horses don’t like citrus and will happily retreat from your space with very lit le reaction. A slice of lemon or lime works well too. A touch on the nose or a lit le spritz is usually enough of a deterrent that a horse won’t be interested in invading your personal space even to look for a treat. Never use any off ensive substance or hit or slap a horse! Such substances could harm
50 | November 2012 •
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