Help with Haltering

[Castlegate]

ok...my almost two year old has decided that he no longer wants to wear his halter when asked...he is more interested in putting all the pieces in his mouth so I cant get it on! Help?! (he 16.1 so I have some trouble getting behind his ears)

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

Naughty Pilsner! Does he stand still and let you attempt? My filly would run when she saw the halter coming and just wanted nothing to do with it. She was just being obstinant. She got better when I'd put the leadrope around her neck to keep her in place.

Sounds like somebody is being a stinkpot and wants to play games. Is he putting his head up high avoiding it? You may even have to go back to the whole treat game?

[kealea31]

Try putting an old breakable leather halter on him and leaving it on. Then practice putting a larger halter on over it. Practice a lot, reward him when he is good, and be strict when he isn't.

[Mali]

You could also try letting him wear a leather neck strap (like the broodmares wear) unti he gets over this little phase! You can then practice haltering him, and still having some sort of control when he doesn't cooperate.

[JB]

First, teach him to lower his head in response to poll pressure. The size of the horse should never be an issue ;)

He's probably teething, so things in his mouth are fun for him. IF you think this might be just a stage, you might try giving him a small treat first, so he's busy chewing while you slip the noseband over his nose. Then reward again.

[Castlegate]

Thanks guys...ha ha Noelle...yep...hes being a stinker! Nope...he doesnt move...he stands right there he just wants to put all the halter parts in his mouth instead of letting me get them on his head!

Good idea about the old halter and the strap...I think having some control would perhaps help me getting the parts out of his mouth!

could he really be teeting now? I would have thought that would be over by now??

[kealea31]

I may be a little off, but I think 1st incisors, 2nd molars, and 2nd premolars all come in around 2 years old. He won't have a full set of adult teeth until 5 years old.

[JB]

Teething isn't done until 4-5 ;)