[firegurl979]

so Jazz today was very naughty, unruly, and not nice at all. He repeatedly bolted everytime I tried to lead him. This led to me hanging on as long as possible without being dragged, rope burn, bleeding fingers, and a runaway horse. He would then proceed to gallop around for a bit and then come back. It became repetitive. I finally became so upset and frustrated that I put him back. Any tips on what to do?? He's never done that with me. >.< and hes strong and quick about it. Its quite hard to hang on and/or jerk him off balance. It was even difficult for my father to hold him. =( I dont know why he acted that way... and it needs to stop. Its unacceptable. any advice??

[phoenixfyre71]

check him over and make sure nothing is physically hurting him first. If he is fine, putting him back allowed him to get his way. Do you have a small area you can put him in to work the vinegar out of him if he does it again?

[firegurl979]

he was physically fine. I checked him. I know putting him back allowed him to get away with it.. even though what I think he really wanted was to get out. We have a round pen... it was hard just to get him that short distance though. He would bolt within 10 feet of walking out of the barn.

[StarfireArizona]

Are you using a rope halter ? If not, it would be a must with your boy. Have you worked at getting him to drop his head to pressure at the poll ? Getting him sensitive to that pressure helps keep him from pulling on you.

Gloves, nice thick sturdy gloves, will protect your hands. If he has a propensity to bolt, use them every time you lead him. Dig your heels in & hopefully that will give you the extra "holding power"

If my horse did that to me, once I got my hands on that lead again, I would make him back up from coast to coast..... Unfortunately he knows now he can bully you & get away with it. Next time you lead him, be ready for anything & show him you're no pushover

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

To go along with Starfire's advice, USE a lunge line to lead him. That will give you more time to get him back before the lead is pulled out of your hands.

Other stuff - you walk 1st. It's plain & simple. He tries to barg through you, you have to block him. For me blocking can mean moving my body, an arm wave, an elbow meeting his chest/front shoulder area, a crop on the chest, or even just a simple tug on the line to say "I'm #1, so I go 1st". Now I don't mean that he has to following behind you, but you make the 1st move. NEVER can he make the 1st move, as it's his job to follow you.

Horses are similar to giant big dogs..........Just like when you walk a dog - you walk through all door-ways 1st, the dog stays at your side & doesn't plough in front of you, if he does you either change direction or step right infront of your dog stopping him from barging through/past you. Oh course our horsey friends are a bit bigger, and so we have to ensure they are even more respectful than our canine friends!

[luv2show]

Your horse isn't showing you any respect, and in that case, he got away with it because you put him away. Starfire said exactky what I was thinkinking. When you are leading him, about every 10 feet say whoa. If he doesn't whoa that FIRST time, back him up. Not short little backups, long backups - make him work.

[tbtrainer]

If you dont have a rope halter, get a lead with a chain, and wrap the chain around the noseband of his halter, when he goes to bolt, give him a sharp yank down, to remind him that he has to pay attention....

I'd be hesitant to walk him with a lunge line... he can gather more speed as he gets further away from you, and then you will have a loose horse dragging a lunge line... more dangerous than just dragging a lead.

[Argonaut]

My pony can sometimes get bolshy so I wrap the lead rope round her nose so if she pulls it contracts, if she doesn't it loosens. I rarely need to do it now.
Also if your horse behaves like that you start at the beginning where you were leading and do it again. If he escapes, catch him and do it again. Horses are very strong willed and you need to be stronger, and more patient.
Even if a horse gets away from me being led to it's stable and goes straight in I will drag them ou and take them back down to walk up nicely. Elbows and shoulders in the chest and bracing yourself against them should also help, be ready to get out the way if they rear though!

Good luck.

[touchofdandy]

Goodluck! Every time he goes to bolt give him a jerk on the lead. If that doesn't work. Make him work so he cant think about bolting. Make him yield his hindquarters and forequarters. Make him back up and whoa. I made Whiskey work when he bolted a few times. He's gotten to the point all I have to do is put pressure on the lead and he gets himself back next to me where he's suppose to be. He's doing alot better.

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

Originally Posted by tbtrainer

I'd be hesitant to walk him with a lunge line... he can gather more speed as he gets further away from you, and then you will have a loose horse dragging a lunge line... more dangerous than just dragging a lead.

True, but you have to be have some slack in the line before you can jerk back & get the horse to dis-engage the hind end. With a normal lead rope you really only have about 3feet, so you have very very little time to be able to dis-engage the hind end, but with a lunge line, you have a couple oppertunities Besides, even if the horse gets away, you'll have a bit better chance getting him back, as I've always found that horse who get away, never let you get to close to them after that. Also, if nothing else he'll learn that things hanging are no big deal......well providing he doesn't get it all wrapped around himself.