Re: horse pulling back when tied

[Phnatasha <Phnatasha@aol.com>]

In a message dated 4/26/98 9:43:53 AM Pacific Daylight Time, spencer@inu.net
writes:

<< My green broke 9 yo Arab mare still has days when she pulls back all the
 way on the halter when tied to solid post, etc.  Anyone have any ideas or
 experience to correct it so we don't look too uncivilized at the endurance
 rides?  If a pressure is placed on the lead rope or halter she pulls all
 the way to the end and this am managed to fall down in the process. 
 Thanks.
 Mary Ann
 Zavalla, Tx >

Hi MaryAnn,
I would start by teaching the horse to GIVE to pressure.

Start with putting your fingers of one hand on her poll and your other hand on
her nose.  Use light pressure on her poll and increase the pressure until you
have her moving or at least thinking to move her head downward, away from the
pressure... 
You can also try to hold pressure on the lead rope while it is hanging
straight down (do not have her tied) and as soon as she makes a move to give
to the pressure  release your hold immediately....... This shows her the way
to the "comfort zone"...
This will teach her that the way to escape the pressure is to "give" to it...
It probably won't work right away... you may have to work on it awhile... but,
eventually she will learn to "give" to the pressure...  She will be looking
for the comfort zone (where there is NO pressure) so, if she is pulling back
away from you... DO NOT release the pressure, for this will only teach her to
keep pulling to escape the pressure... "float" with her if she tries this....
and only reward her with the realease of the pressure when she moves her head
down...
You can also try to apply the pressure with your fingers, as much as needed,
to the top of her poll, asking her to drop her head... reinforcing it by the
downward pressure on the halter maneuver...
She will probably try lifting her head and backing up to move away from your
hand on the top of her poll and the pressure of the halter... just "float"
with her... she will learn this will not give her relief... only by bringing
her head down will she be able to escape the pressure... 
Remember to be QUICK about rewarding her by releasing the pressure AS SOON AS
she makes a move in the right direction... it doesn't have to be perfect right
away...

Have patience!  Be consistant... she will get the idea...  It will be well
worth the effort... 
Hope this helps...
Good Luck...
Patti