A couple of questions...Can you clarify what "popping him with a lead rope" means please? Do you have a Dually? Do you literally tell him how frustrating he is being in the hope he understands you i.e. do you shout/use words or do you mean your actions when you pull his head up tell him. Thanks.

I tug on the lead rope. Yes, I have a dually, which is more effective than a rope halter. I'm a pretty verbal person, so I tell him he's being frustrating. I know he doesn't understand my words, but in my experience I have found that when using certain words my energy or my countenance changes. When my dogs do something I'm pleased with I tell them thank you. Along with verbalizing my appreciation my face smiles and everyone is happy. I am also a very polite person and with my commands I always say please. I think it means a lot to them that I care enough to treat them with kindness. So, the same philosophy carries over to my relationship with my horse. But, I am not a pushover. It doesn't take much beyond a stern look for my horse to know I am displeased with him, except when it comes to snatching grass. However, I will say that when I am riding he is very responsive to a firm "no" and a tightening of the hands on the reins. It's really just when I am leading.

Hi Gansens
Have you tried leading him with a longer rope and when he bends down to snatch grass, put him to work for a couple of minutes - just small circle work - do this each time he does this and he will soon learn to associate that snatching grass results in work then he becomes responsible for his own actions. Don't fuss or reprimand him just make him do some circle work on the line to instill consequences for actions. He will work it out soon enough. I know people will say don't work him on a single line but small circles for a couple of minutes will not do any harm at all and they are smart animals - he will figure it out. Cheers Jan

I have a similar problem with mine, but in a different situation. Not when leading;but when I'm long lining (two lines)
It's turned into some kind of game for him to see if he can outsmart me. *LOL* I have to be on my toes at all times to distract him away from grass, leaves, boughs of fir - whatever he can consider food and within reach.
Jan's solution is great but in my case it won't work as well, because standing behind him, I need to get his head up first before I can start putting him to work. Plus, circle work on a track in the forest is tight work. ;)

Hi Kicki - as you have your horse long lining perhaps you can incorporate some other moves to distract him - timing is everything so if you feel he is going to drop his head act immediately and get him doing half halts, full halts rein backs and if you have space some turns. Keep him thinking and most importantly be vigilant and ensure you catch him as the thought process starts so he doesn't get his head down. Perhaps practicing these moves in an arena or yard first to get them working for you and then they will be easier in the forest. Love that you work your horse in different environments - lucky boy. Cheers Jan

Gansens: As jan says, small circles wont do any harm, but I would also suggest that you are not catching him soon enough. If he is on the Dually you need to correct/release the SECOND he even thinks about putting his head down. I appreciate they can do this quickly but the signs are there. If I may, I would also like to suggest that you take a step back and evaluate how you communicate with your horse. You are right that our words can affect our energy however human verbalisation acutally distracts us from seeing what we are doing with our bodies and how we communicate. Good luck.

Kicki: it is all too predictable for him so he doesn't have to think about the work so he can do other things like food grabbing etc. He needs to be kept 'busier' as Jan says so that he doesn't know what you are going to ask him to do next.

Thanks, Vicci and Jan!
Yes, timing is everything, that's for sure. And, yes, keeping him busy is what I have to do - and TRY to do. Good to know I am on the right track then. (Wish I was better at it!) I'll try to keep him even more busy then!
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He is one smart cookie that horse! Not to mention tenacious. *LOL* I'm not tall, so it's difficult to see where his head is positioned at all times when I walk behind him - that's where he gets his advantage and I can always tell but he is lightning quick. To his advantage I must say that he offers a "middle path" where he eats but continues to walk. ;)

Good luck with your training. Hope to hear how he is going. Cheers Jan :-)

Hahaha, you paint a great image Kicki, I can picture him sneaking a quick grab that nonchalantly plodding along chewing away...... :-) As you say, he's a smart boy and you need your wits about you!

Oh, yeah, you got the picture down to the T, Vicci! :D :D

Jan - Good idea. Will try that next time. And, yes, Doc works as little as possible so it won't take long for him to decide that the snatching just isn't worth it.

Vicci - You're right. When I'm paying attention to him, he stands very politely and I am right on top of it when he starts to lower his head. The problem comes in when I'm chatting with someone or leading through tall grass when I'm trying to stay alert for sneaky cats so my attention isn't completely focused on him. I will definitely try to evaluate my nonverbal communication.

Thanks everyone.

I appreciate it helps to get them to do something different ie circles etc but what if you're working them in harness to harrow and they just put their heads down to eat!

Hi JMS - I guess like the other posts it comes down to timing on your part to catch them as they are about to drop their heads and either drive them forward a little more strongly to keep them focused on their job or alternately a subtle half halt to get their attention without interrupting the harrowing. The main thing is to catch them as they think about doing it and preventing them from following through with the action - hope this helps. Cheers Jan