Handwalking seggestions

[Fharoah]

I recently started a thread called ace for hand walking. Now I am wondering what should I do when my horse tries to grad the lead rope in his teeth and run. He does it really quick and I have to grab the bit and try to get the lead rope out of his mouth. I have had this trouble in both a chain chank and a bridle but had more control in a bridle over all. He does this several times during our 20 minute walk and our will increase as precribed by specialist.

Any ideas of how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated!

Thankyou!

[Simkie]

Miss Mare is very nice to handwalk, but when I was handwalking my gelding a LONG time ago, I doubled up on the leadropes. He was pretty good, so it was just a halter + lead rope for when he was good, but I did have a chain over his nose for when he was bad.

Perhaps you could do something similar--maybe a chain shank over the nose AND a chain through his mouth? Or a regular halter plus a chiffney bit? Don't get stuck thinking you can only use one thing! Mix and match and see if that helps.

[Peggy]

Would using a lunge line help (can't remember if anyone suggested that on the other thread)? He could still grab it but there would be more of it left for you to hang on to.

What about doing something to keep his mouth shut. Since you're using a bridle anyway, you could add a flash or a figure-8 noseband. I have a friend who used to pony her mouthy young TB with a dropped noseband under his halter.

[LoveMyPonies]

I agree with Sim... but maybe start off a little less harsh. Instead of a chain on the nose and in the mouth, why not start with just a regular cotton lead and a chain over the nose, if you needed it. Sometimes when they figure out that you're not letting go, they give up the game. As a rule: 'Use as much force as necessary to get the result, but little as little force as possible to get the job done.' :D

[Fharoah]

Thankyou!

I have to use a chain or a bridle or else he is off galloping back to the barn I can't hold him. The flash might work, keep him from bitting me too. The lounge line is an interesting concept. He actually spooked and dragged me down the long side of the ring the last week, I didn't let go (done that before) and he did stop but I was barely able to hold him, this was in a bridle with the lead over the pole.

[Simkie]

Thankyou!

I have to use a chain or a bridle or else he is off galloping back to the barn I can't hold him. The flash might work, keep him from bitting me too. The lounge line is an interesting concept. He actually spooked and dragged me down the long side of the ring the last week, I didn't let go (done that before) and he did stop but I was barely able to hold him, this was in a bridle with the lead over the pole.

I would absolutely get a bridle lead... I don't even know what they're called. The leather leads with the split chain that snaps on to both bit rings. By having the lead over the poll, I think you're eliminating a LOT of your leverage and power.

A chiffney really might be very useful. A chain through the mouth might also work well. I know Quillin also makes actual bits that are made to snap onto the halter--might be useful? Here (http://quillin.com/jshop/product.php?xProd=802) it is. They also have the lead (http://quillin.com/jshop/product.php?xProd=889) and the chiffney (http://quillin.com/jshop/product.php?xProd=800).

[goeslikestink]

I recently started a thread called ace for hand walking. Now I am wondering what should I do when my horse tries to grad the lead rope in his teeth and run. He does it really quick and I have to grab the bit and try to get the lead rope out of his mouth. I have had this trouble in both a chain chank and a bridle but had more control in a bridle over all. He does this several times during our 20 minute walk and our will increase as precribed by specialist.

Any ideas of how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated!

Thankyou!

put the bridle on ok, take the reins off, then attack a lead rope a long one not a alungeline
and then run the lead rope over his poll area ie clip to the outside of the side you leading with
run the lead rope over the poll area and back down a tread through the side of the head colllar and into your handkeeping one hand under his chin and the other hand with rest of lead rope

[goeslikestink]

I recently started a thread called ace for hand walking. Now I am wondering what should I do when my horse tries to grad the lead rope in his teeth and run. He does it really quick and I have to grab the bit and try to get the lead rope out of his mouth. I have had this trouble in both a chain chank and a bridle but had more control in a bridle over all. He does this several times during our 20 minute walk and our will increase as precribed by specialist.

Any ideas of how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated!

Thankyou!

um -- is your hrose on box rest and so hand walking is required
and are you feeding him the same as if you was if he was ridden cos matey if you are then thats why hes so strong he would e getting all that lovely yummy grub and no where to use it exccept in his brians------ so knock it on the head, if you have to givve him a feed for drugs then just do chaff or bran us soemthing that doesnt effect his mental attitiude
chaff or bran is a bulk fead wheat bran has no feedvalue so often use when horses are converlessning so up th hay as horse can live on that alone and down size your feeds
it tkae about 2 weeks for you to see any difference as it takes that to come out of his system yet only takes a couple of days to enter the system try that to

[Triplicate]

Try taking a cotton or nylon lead shank and SOAK it in No Chew.

Put on a pair of rubber gloves and take him for a walk - let him grab the shank - it works.

After he learns to hate the taste and gives the up on the game, keep a shank especially for him with only a trace of No Chew and he will give it up. Use an old pair old reins and do the same drill.

Had an especially tough one years ago, who would grab the shank or your hand.
My father was taking him to the paddock and when the horse made his grab -my father took his cigarette and let the horse grab the cigarette... The horse never did that to a smoker again !!

[merrygoround]

How long is your chain portion of your lead shank? You need one long enough to go from the ring on the halter, through the side ring on the halter, through his mouth, through the lower ring and then up to the top ring, with several inches left over between the chain and the lead.
Using a 12 foot lead shank,with the extra long chain, carry the lead in your right hand as though it's a rein, with your pinkie closest to him if you turn your palm down, carry your hand with the thumb on top, anchoring the lead, the free end goes to your other hand as a back-up. This hand position gives you tremendous instant leverage, just by simply yanking down--much more effective and quicker than pulling back. The extra chain is so he get that rather than the lead, and is much easier to snatch lout from his teeth.

Oh yeah-Gloves help too.:)
Give him as little slack as possible and insist his shoulder stays by yours. Work in a small enclosed area at first if he needs leading manners. And stay on your well shod toes. ;)

[Nibs]

You may just need to give your horse a lesson in leading. It is very important to teach your horse that when he gets fresh he is never to lean into your space or onto your lead shank.

Encourage your horse to move sideways when he is fresh. This will keep him out of your space and not allow him to get enough power to bolt away from you, instead he will only be able to circle around you if he choses to bolt.

To get him to go sideways, simply tap him with the end of the shank behind you. If you can toss it at him and he is close enough to get hit, then he will move over.

And my final word of advice- when he starts to act up, keep walking straight DO NOT STOP and KEEP YOUR EYES ON HIS FRONT FEET. Trust me, the only thing that can hurt you in ths postion is his front feet, not his face, which is where you will be inclinced to look.

[Fharoah]

Thanks, he could use some manners. He more than invade my space swings out his hind end and kicks or wears and stirkes when he spooks. I actually have to stay away from the railing as he once put his hind leg through it while kicking out.

Today was our first good walk in the ring. I tried the flash and walked him with a lot of ace (2 large scoops of granules) and 11/4 after oral administration. I did not have the flash tight enough so by the end of the walk he managed to grad the lead. I will see how he continues will try the other seggestions if it does not last.

I really appreciate all the seggestions, any more are appreciated!