Horse takes off if he doesn't have a stud chain on!

DeannaJoy · 05-25-2009, 01:42 PM

So my wonderful appendix mare passed away in Oct 07 (after having her for almost 10 yrs) and I FINALLY got another horse the first of March. The only bad habits he has is dancing on the cross ties, especially wash rack (which this is coming to a stop!!

) But they did tell me to always walk him with a stud chain over his nose because he'll just take off trotting away and there's no stopping him. So he had been a good boy and I started leading him without the stud chain, on just the 2nd day I take him out of the pasture (inwhich he is with 2 mares, he's realllllly in love with one of them in particular) I lead him (w/o stud chain) into the barn, I let him graze on the way up.. go to reach for a cross tie and next thing I know he's bolting...

he runs into the STREET! (I grew a few grey hairs)

...3 cars had to stop.. yadda yadda yadda... anyway finally we're able to catch him. I am so ticked at this point

so I bring him back to the barn and immediately look him in the eye and back him up back back back (with stud chain)

How can I correct this nasty habit of him taking off if I don't have a stud chain on him!? I hate to keep a stud chain on him always! Luckly he is a perfect boy under saddle, just groud work he's SO impatient!

HUS_WP_lovr · 05-25-2009, 02:00 PM

Sounds like he has some major respect issues for people in general.

Have you tried him in a rope halter at all?

Do you have a roundpen or enclosed space you can work with him in?

*I* would not let him graze at all from now on when you have him on the line. I know even my respectful geldings get very pushy at times when hand grazing. Every time you have him at the end of the halter he needs to be totally tuned in to you.

Get him in an enclosed space(round pen, arena, small paddock) and do alot of ground work. I'd put him on a long line so if and when he starts to pull away you have some line for him to get away but you still don't loose him completely. Back him up, pivots, walk in hand, make him follow your body, yield his hindquarters, lunging on the line etc. Keep his mind on you and keep him busy. You really need to get respect and show him you are in charge. The second he tries to pull away grab his head back and briskly and firmly back him up. Don't give in and be persistent, he will learn to not fight it and give in.

I would also do alot of free lunging round pen work. Get him listening to your cues and really tuning in. Keeping in his circle and not getting in your space.

You'll probably have to slowly wean him off on the stud chain. Do this with the stud chain, when everything is perfect get him in a rope halter for a few of those excerises(in the roundpen). Then wean him completely to a rope halter. Once he is totally respectful in the rope halter you may slowly wean him to a regular halter.
Some people will keep a horse in a rope halter forever(as a preference) which is not a problem imo. I think it's alot easier to have a horse in a rope halter all the time than a stud chain.

*I* would keep the stud chain on for now whenever you are not in an enclosed space. Once he is 100% in an enclosed space you can try a rope halter or regular halter outside but until then keep the stud chain. Around traffic, and at this point, a stud chain will keep you both safe.

DeannaJoy · 05-25-2009, 03:31 PM

Thanks for your help and opinions!! I will try this. I've been lungeing him in the round pen with and w/o the lunge line, and he is always in my space and not on the rail 65% if the time. To push him out I literally have to follow him with the lunge whip and even then he sometimes doesn't listen. I'll try ground work/manners in the round pen as well, which I haven't done yet. That is a good idea. I've never personally used a rope halter, I have seen them though, doesn't the rope halter with very least contact on the horse?

Thanks again!!! =)

HUS_WP_lovr · 05-25-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeannaJoy

I have seen them though, doesn't the rope halter with very least contact on the horse?

Thanks again!!! =)

Could you clarify that sentence please? I'm not following.

The rope halter has knots on it that hit pressure points on the horse's head. It also is thinner therefore has more "bite" than a regular nylon halter.

TrailBlazer · 05-26-2009, 06:45 AM

For horses that are lacking ground manners I find a horse responds much better to a rope halter than a regular halter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUS_WP_lovr

The rope halter has knots on it that hit pressure points on the horse's head. It also is thinner therefore has more "bite" than a regular nylon halter.

luvs2ride79 · 05-26-2009, 08:24 AM

You need to lead him without a stud chain, and not let him get away. He learned some time back that he could get away from his handler when using a regular lead, and now he's done it with you once, so he will continue to try. Using other equipment will only show him that, like the stud chain, he has to behave when it's around. If you want to use a regular halter and lead rope, then you need to pay attention and NOT let him get away from you. Eventually, he will see that his old trick doesn't work with you and he will stop, but it will take some time and a LOT of dillegence on your part.

I would also work with him on general ground manners, and try to have some fun with him. Show him that the halter does not always = work. Take him out some and just groom him, give him a few treats, and put him up. Take him on "walks" in hand around the property or on the trail (AFTER you have his bolting issue under control). Turn him out in the arena for some free play time. Go out at feeding time and halter him and feed him yourself, then put him up. You want him to look forward to your time together, so you need to have some fun with him.

Don't be like that school teacher that you just dreaded because it was always hard work. Be the fun teacher that made you work hard, but also rewarded you with movies and/or fun activities. Don't be afraid to use food rewards either. Positive reinforcement is VERY powerful! Why should dog trainers be the only ones to use them? Teaching a horse to properly take a treat is one more training session, and one that's very rewarding for the horse, and for you in the long run. I use food rewards often enough that my horses enjoy our training sessions, but not so often that they expect a treat every time. It's good to balance treats and praise.

DeannaJoy · 05-27-2009, 07:48 AM

Thank you. And thanks for the help on the rope halters. I didn't realize that it put pressure on those specific points!! =) Very helpful and I will try it! Yesterday we worked on pivots and general manners. I will work on no stud chain work soon as well as rope halter =) TYSM!

Blue_rose2001 · 06-30-2009, 10:18 PM

I have an evil suggestion (never done it but seen improvement with only one session). Use a noavel halter and act like it is something regular. The instance he takes off, it will hit pressure points and totally signal that he needs to stop immediately. It does seem severe. But if one time keeps you and him from getting killed it could be worth it.

Since there is no "chain" visible he should suspect anything, but the metal wrapped in the leather should be sufficient to apply control. Rick Wheat was the inventor I think.

Your choice= I am just presenting an option if the rope halter doesn't work. Not advocating, not putting down. Just an option So don't fuss because I am letting her know it is available to OP.

05-25-2009, 01:42 PM	#1
DeannaJoy Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 405 Images: 2	Horse takes off if he doesn't have a stud chain on! So my wonderful appendix mare passed away in Oct 07 (after having her for almost 10 yrs) and I FINALLY got another horse the first of March. The only bad habits he has is dancing on the cross ties, especially wash rack (which this is coming to a stop!! ) But they did tell me to always walk him with a stud chain over his nose because he'll just take off trotting away and there's no stopping him. So he had been a good boy and I started leading him without the stud chain, on just the 2nd day I take him out of the pasture (inwhich he is with 2 mares, he's realllllly in love with one of them in particular) I lead him (w/o stud chain) into the barn, I let him graze on the way up.. go to reach for a cross tie and next thing I know he's bolting... he runs into the STREET! (I grew a few grey hairs) ...3 cars had to stop.. yadda yadda yadda... anyway finally we're able to catch him. I am so ticked at this point so I bring him back to the barn and immediately look him in the eye and back him up back back back (with stud chain) How can I correct this nasty habit of him taking off if I don't have a stud chain on him!? I hate to keep a stud chain on him always! Luckly he is a perfect boy under saddle, just groud work he's SO impatient!

05-25-2009, 02:00 PM	#2
HUS_WP_lovr Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SW FL Posts: 8,456 Images: 208	Sounds like he has some major respect issues for people in general. Have you tried him in a rope halter at all? Do you have a roundpen or enclosed space you can work with him in? I would not let him graze at all from now on when you have him on the line. I know even my respectful geldings get very pushy at times when hand grazing. Every time you have him at the end of the halter he needs to be totally tuned in to you. Get him in an enclosed space(round pen, arena, small paddock) and do alot of ground work. I'd put him on a long line so if and when he starts to pull away you have some line for him to get away but you still don't loose him completely. Back him up, pivots, walk in hand, make him follow your body, yield his hindquarters, lunging on the line etc. Keep his mind on you and keep him busy. You really need to get respect and show him you are in charge. The second he tries to pull away grab his head back and briskly and firmly back him up. Don't give in and be persistent, he will learn to not fight it and give in. I would also do alot of free lunging round pen work. Get him listening to your cues and really tuning in. Keeping in his circle and not getting in your space. You'll probably have to slowly wean him off on the stud chain. Do this with the stud chain, when everything is perfect get him in a rope halter for a few of those excerises(in the roundpen). Then wean him completely to a rope halter. Once he is totally respectful in the rope halter you may slowly wean him to a regular halter. Some people will keep a horse in a rope halter forever(as a preference) which is not a problem imo. I think it's alot easier to have a horse in a rope halter all the time than a stud chain. I would keep the stud chain on for now whenever you are not in an enclosed space. Once he is 100% in an enclosed space you can try a rope halter or regular halter outside but until then keep the stud chain. Around traffic, and at this point, a stud chain will keep you both safe. __________________ Felix & Jackson I Have Been Gobbled by Thom Turkey!!!

05-26-2009, 08:24 AM	#6
luvs2ride79 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 6,182 Images: 47	You need to lead him without a stud chain, and not let him get away. He learned some time back that he could get away from his handler when using a regular lead, and now he's done it with you once, so he will continue to try. Using other equipment will only show him that, like the stud chain, he has to behave when it's around. If you want to use a regular halter and lead rope, then you need to pay attention and NOT let him get away from you. Eventually, he will see that his old trick doesn't work with you and he will stop, but it will take some time and a LOT of dillegence on your part. I would also work with him on general ground manners, and try to have some fun with him. Show him that the halter does not always = work. Take him out some and just groom him, give him a few treats, and put him up. Take him on "walks" in hand around the property or on the trail (AFTER you have his bolting issue under control). Turn him out in the arena for some free play time. Go out at feeding time and halter him and feed him yourself, then put him up. You want him to look forward to your time together, so you need to have some fun with him. Don't be like that school teacher that you just dreaded because it was always hard work. Be the fun teacher that made you work hard, but also rewarded you with movies and/or fun activities. Don't be afraid to use food rewards either. Positive reinforcement is VERY powerful! Why should dog trainers be the only ones to use them? Teaching a horse to properly take a treat is one more training session, and one that's very rewarding for the horse, and for you in the long run. I use food rewards often enough that my horses enjoy our training sessions, but not so often that they expect a treat every time. It's good to balance treats and praise. __________________ "To be an equestrian in the classical sense is not just to be a rider. It is a position in life." --Charles de Kunffy Little Rock Equestrian Center - my newest venture Anti-Slaughter and PROUD! StopHorseSlaughter.com

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05-25-2009, 03:31 PM	#3
DeannaJoy Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 405 Images: 2	Thanks for your help and opinions!! I will try this. I've been lungeing him in the round pen with and w/o the lunge line, and he is always in my space and not on the rail 65% if the time. To push him out I literally have to follow him with the lunge whip and even then he sometimes doesn't listen. I'll try ground work/manners in the round pen as well, which I haven't done yet. That is a good idea. I've never personally used a rope halter, I have seen them though, doesn't the rope halter with very least contact on the horse? Thanks again!!! =)

05-27-2009, 07:48 AM	#7
DeannaJoy Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 405 Images: 2	Thank you. And thanks for the help on the rope halters. I didn't realize that it put pressure on those specific points!! =) Very helpful and I will try it! Yesterday we worked on pivots and general manners. I will work on no stud chain work soon as well as rope halter =) TYSM!

06-30-2009, 10:18 PM	#8
Blue_rose2001 Full Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Big Creek, MS Posts: 195 Images: 3	I have an evil suggestion (never done it but seen improvement with only one session). Use a noavel halter and act like it is something regular. The instance he takes off, it will hit pressure points and totally signal that he needs to stop immediately. It does seem severe. But if one time keeps you and him from getting killed it could be worth it. Since there is no "chain" visible he should suspect anything, but the metal wrapped in the leather should be sufficient to apply control. Rick Wheat was the inventor I think. Your choice= I am just presenting an option if the rope halter doesn't work. Not advocating, not putting down. Just an option So don't fuss because I am letting her know it is available to OP.