My boy and I enjoyed a very successful join up, and shortly after I put long lines on him through a curcickle. I can get behind him, but when I try to get him to walk forward with me behind, he turns around to face me. Can't blame him its all he's been taught so far.
So how do I get him to walk away from me calmly under control of the long lines? Seemed so simple before I tried it.
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Horse Behavior and Training
Ground driving: horse won't face away from me
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A couple of suggestions that might be of help. (or not! :D )
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Does he understand the "go forward" driving aids completely? (I'm guessing that you make some sound with your mouth.) Make sure that is firmly set with him first by leading exercises or lose in the arena.
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He hasn't experienced you driving him from behind before. This is a completely new situation. Try working him on a large circle instead, with you in the near middle of it - that might help him understand since that is not so different from the join up sessions. Watch how Monty starts on a circle when he's put the reins on.
This is by far the safest way to teach him working on the lines since a young horse can start kicking at them (or you) at the drop of a hat and if you are too close you may get hurt. Likewise, he might decide to take off and it is much easier to break the momentum if you are inside a circle than directly or even slightly behind. Less strain on his mouth and your body!
(I know a hard hat isn't the most common thing in Texas, but I do hope you wear gloves and sturdy boots at this point!)
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Get help from someone else who walks at the head and when you ask your boy to start walking, the person by the head starts moving while encouraging the horse to come along. Incrementally, you transfer the horse's attention to you. This usually works within 15-30 min or a couple of sessions.
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How experienced are you with the long lines? For all I know you could be an expert, but if you're a novice or complete beginner, I suggest getting tuition and practicing your aids, posture and position on trained, adult horses before taking on a youngster.
Long lining is lots of fun but trickier than it looks!
Best of luck and remember to have fun!!!
Hi. Kicki is right. Make it incremental. Join up, with dually head collar, long line on a circle, couple of steps back. If he needs help then plastic bags on a stick. Watch Monty, study the videos & practice on lots of horses. You'll have fun & so will your colt. Cheers, Jo.
Great advice from Kicki WM
Thanks. I'd already thought of the lead person at the head with me in the rear. Everytime I assume the join up position to make him "go away", he bolts to run around the circle as in join up. I got literally jerked over the first time. I need him to walk. HE understands walk when I'm at his head leading, but when I get behind he's confused and freezes.
Someone once said progress with a training horse is made by accident. He actually began walking with me behind at one point, but when I tried to slow him and turn him, he pulled the full frontal turn around, facing me again. We'll keep trying.
Hi. Think it through. Don't do the same stuff if it's not working - you'll train the horse to do the wrong thing. You need to make it easy for him to be right. Monty accidentally discovers new stuff regularly, sure but his methods work! Make it easy for your colt to do the right thing & harder to be wrong. Most of all, be fair with him. The book "From My Hands To Yours" is invaluable. Study the lessons on the Uni, get your body language & breathing right. Engineer the situation so that your colt chooses to do what you're trying & then celebrate with praise. You will both have fun. Cheers, Jo.