Thoroughbred Halter Breaking (need help)

hoosierjockey · 05-06-2003, 09:56 AM

I am halter breaking (trying to) a 2 year old Thoroughbred colt (stud) for a guy who usually does his own training but had heart surgery. I don't know why he wasn't broke earlier, but now he so big, strong and rowdy, I am having trouble. The first few days he was learning with just a halter and lead, then he realized he could pull me (only 95 lbs.) so we went to a shank, same thing, did good a couple of days, now drags me. The owner is afraid he will get too used to the shank and then we won't be able to contol him at all. We took him into a round pen last night, I tried to lead him out there but it was crazy, he drug me, turned and jumped at me, broke away, he was so out of contol. Its really not his fault, its all he has ever known. Any advise? I don't know what to do, I feel so awful about it.

QHlover · 05-06-2003, 02:07 PM

Hey hoosierjockey,

I worked for a trainer and have worked with numerous horses. This sounds like a dangerous horse. Maybe you should find a trainer before someone gets hurt. I'm not being mean, but there are a lot of good horses out there for you or the owner to get hurt.

THX_lol

ComanchesWarGirl7323 · 05-06-2003, 03:05 PM

HAve you ever tryed a Dually Halter? It might help but I'm not sure. Sounds like you have a tough situation.
Hope everything works out!
~Haley~

Dawn · 05-06-2003, 05:44 PM

I would have to agree with finding a trainer. This is pretty early on to be having such a dangerous problem. Even if you did get this corrected, it would be very probable that you would have more down the road especially once you get started under saddle. There is never a good excuse for putting yourself in a situation where you or the horse could get hurt.

ironbark · 05-07-2003, 06:16 AM

The age of the horse should not matter too much. You do have a problem but it is not insurmountable, it will just take a little longer. Go back to the very basics. With the colt in the roundyard preferably with a halter on and no rope let him move as he wishes. Stand in one position against the round yard fence. He will move about and use his body language, young and all as it will be. Probably at the most distant point from you. If he moves too you in an assertive manner case him off. Just maintain your space. Always do this with no interruption and plenty of time, no other plans for the day. You could be there for a long time. Eventually he will face you. When he does move along the fence so you are at right angles to him. Talk too him but remember you are the boss of your own space. Keep doing this until he shows cooperation in facing you then end the lesson for the day. Next, again in the yard, repeat the excersise, if all is well the time he takes to do what you want in facing you should be less. Even though he does not realise it he is already doing what you want, not what he wants. I should mention that if this horse strikes do not bother with him at all. To me striking is far more dangerous then a hind quarters kick. Once he is facing you, watching you, approach him in a curve, not straight up, give no excuse for the non right behaviour. If he moves away dont chase him, wait till he stands and faces up. It may sound boring and drawn out but he has learned a behaviour which can not be allowed to occur again at all. His moving away from you with no link involved, a rope, eliminates the confrontation from going that way. When he stands and you can approach, go too him, stand and tell him how clever he is, then walk away.Show only quiet firm understanding, no anger. Keep doing this until he shows no bad response or irritation. Once this has been established, standing beside him give him a pat. If he shows no problem with a bit of rub place your hand on his shoulder. Push lightly, but position yourself too get out of the way. If all goes well he will give too the pressure. When he does tell him he is clever. This process should continue until you can apply light pressure to any quarter and gain a releasing movement from him. The movement should be relaxed and only enough too release the pressure, 2 or 3 steps. That is the easy bit. It is possible that the problem could physical as in his sight or pain associated with the action of being lead. The method used here is useful in establishing a passive cooperation but you should study any horse before trying anything. There are all sorts of reasons outside of basics bad manners that may be occuring here.

hoosierjockey · 05-07-2003, 06:30 AM

Thank you for your help! At least I don't feel like such a failure now.

I have broken a few before (mostly to ride) and one crazy horse has killed my confidence.
I'll do the best I can, I know he is sending him to a professional to be broke to ride, I just hope it is soon! I'm not doing it, he would buck me to the moon!
Thanks alot, this was my first post on this forum, you guys are so nice.

hoosierjockey · 05-07-2003, 06:37 AM

thanks Ironbark! We were going to try the round pen last night without me hold him, but it stormed really bad so we took the night off.
I will do exactly as you said, thanks alot!

ironbark · 05-30-2003, 03:41 AM

JUst a quick post to find out if you had some success.

hoosierjockey · 05-30-2003, 04:48 AM

Yes, thanks for asking. He learned within a week to walk with me. He is with a trainer now and hopefully to races in a few months. Can't say I was sorry to see him go, but with that kind of fire, should make a good racehorse.

Thanks for your help!

XmasAngel98 · 05-30-2003, 08:22 AM

Hi! Do you have racehorses or do you just help train them? Do any of the horses that you've helped train or own ever race at Ellis Park? Just curious since I go there a lot to watch.

05-06-2003, 09:56 AM	#1
hoosierjockey Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Clarksville, IN Posts: 13	Thoroughbred Halter Breaking (need help) I am halter breaking (trying to) a 2 year old Thoroughbred colt (stud) for a guy who usually does his own training but had heart surgery. I don't know why he wasn't broke earlier, but now he so big, strong and rowdy, I am having trouble. The first few days he was learning with just a halter and lead, then he realized he could pull me (only 95 lbs.) so we went to a shank, same thing, did good a couple of days, now drags me. The owner is afraid he will get too used to the shank and then we won't be able to contol him at all. We took him into a round pen last night, I tried to lead him out there but it was crazy, he drug me, turned and jumped at me, broke away, he was so out of contol. Its really not his fault, its all he has ever known. Any advise? I don't know what to do, I feel so awful about it.

05-30-2003, 08:22 AM	#10
XmasAngel98 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 705 Images: 44	Hi! Do you have racehorses or do you just help train them? Do any of the horses that you've helped train or own ever race at Ellis Park? Just curious since I go there a lot to watch. __________________ *In Memory of Red Cloud* (May 9, 1993-May 27, 2006) http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...loud_thumb.jpg

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05-06-2003, 02:07 PM	#2
QHlover Full Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 282	Hey hoosierjockey, I worked for a trainer and have worked with numerous horses. This sounds like a dangerous horse. Maybe you should find a trainer before someone gets hurt. I'm not being mean, but there are a lot of good horses out there for you or the owner to get hurt. THX_lol

05-06-2003, 03:05 PM	#3
ComanchesWarGirl7323 Full Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 108	HAve you ever tryed a Dually Halter? It might help but I'm not sure. Sounds like you have a tough situation. Hope everything works out! ~Haley~

05-06-2003, 05:44 PM	#4
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31,281 Images: 1386	I would have to agree with finding a trainer. This is pretty early on to be having such a dangerous problem. Even if you did get this corrected, it would be very probable that you would have more down the road especially once you get started under saddle. There is never a good excuse for putting yourself in a situation where you or the horse could get hurt.

05-07-2003, 06:16 AM	#5
ironbark Full Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: australia Posts: 51	The age of the horse should not matter too much. You do have a problem but it is not insurmountable, it will just take a little longer. Go back to the very basics. With the colt in the roundyard preferably with a halter on and no rope let him move as he wishes. Stand in one position against the round yard fence. He will move about and use his body language, young and all as it will be. Probably at the most distant point from you. If he moves too you in an assertive manner case him off. Just maintain your space. Always do this with no interruption and plenty of time, no other plans for the day. You could be there for a long time. Eventually he will face you. When he does move along the fence so you are at right angles to him. Talk too him but remember you are the boss of your own space. Keep doing this until he shows cooperation in facing you then end the lesson for the day. Next, again in the yard, repeat the excersise, if all is well the time he takes to do what you want in facing you should be less. Even though he does not realise it he is already doing what you want, not what he wants. I should mention that if this horse strikes do not bother with him at all. To me striking is far more dangerous then a hind quarters kick. Once he is facing you, watching you, approach him in a curve, not straight up, give no excuse for the non right behaviour. If he moves away dont chase him, wait till he stands and faces up. It may sound boring and drawn out but he has learned a behaviour which can not be allowed to occur again at all. His moving away from you with no link involved, a rope, eliminates the confrontation from going that way. When he stands and you can approach, go too him, stand and tell him how clever he is, then walk away.Show only quiet firm understanding, no anger. Keep doing this until he shows no bad response or irritation. Once this has been established, standing beside him give him a pat. If he shows no problem with a bit of rub place your hand on his shoulder. Push lightly, but position yourself too get out of the way. If all goes well he will give too the pressure. When he does tell him he is clever. This process should continue until you can apply light pressure to any quarter and gain a releasing movement from him. The movement should be relaxed and only enough too release the pressure, 2 or 3 steps. That is the easy bit. It is possible that the problem could physical as in his sight or pain associated with the action of being lead. The method used here is useful in establishing a passive cooperation but you should study any horse before trying anything. There are all sorts of reasons outside of basics bad manners that may be occuring here.

05-07-2003, 06:30 AM	#6
hoosierjockey Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Clarksville, IN Posts: 13	Thank you for your help! At least I don't feel like such a failure now. I have broken a few before (mostly to ride) and one crazy horse has killed my confidence. I'll do the best I can, I know he is sending him to a professional to be broke to ride, I just hope it is soon! I'm not doing it, he would buck me to the moon! Thanks alot, this was my first post on this forum, you guys are so nice.

05-07-2003, 06:37 AM	#7
hoosierjockey Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Clarksville, IN Posts: 13	thanks Ironbark! We were going to try the round pen last night without me hold him, but it stormed really bad so we took the night off. I will do exactly as you said, thanks alot!

05-30-2003, 03:41 AM	#8
ironbark Full Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: australia Posts: 51	JUst a quick post to find out if you had some success.

05-30-2003, 04:48 AM	#9
hoosierjockey Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Clarksville, IN Posts: 13	Yes, thanks for asking. He learned within a week to walk with me. He is with a trainer now and hopefully to races in a few months. Can't say I was sorry to see him go, but with that kind of fire, should make a good racehorse. Thanks for your help!