My daughters 2 year old horse Luca refused to move off the Dually. I was so excited after watching the leading lesson that i could get his mind with me, but when i put pressure on the Dually, he slowly steps forward, then will walk at a snails pace, like he couldn't care less. I persivered a few more times and have stopped to seek advice in case i'm creating a more backwards horse. I can't even get the first hurdle over. Please help.
He is very self assured and not bothered by things.
Hi Maria,
What do yu do to the dually to get Luca to move forwards?
If you are pulling constanly then the horse will simply lean backwards.
If you do a '1,2' movement, sort of like tugging but not so jerky then it may work better:)
Also if he doesnt listen to you still then make your self big, snap your eyes on his and demand that he moves forwards.
I hope all of this helps:)
Equi
P.S Have you done join up with him? If not then you might want to give it a try?
How does the dually fit in the interactive language of horses. To make my answer clearer: If “horse A” doesn't follow “horse B”, he will not be disciplined by “horse B”. Practically with the dually we reprimand the horse for something that he is not doing.
I can understand schooling, if the horse runs over me, and my immediate reaction will be to discipline him by putting pressure on his nose to back him up.
Can somebody explain the concept please and the parallel to equus?
I'm sure some really experienced horse people on the forum will give you some great advice so I will just say a few things that I've found as a novice.
Rather than getting him to move forward - what about trying to move him to the side and backing him up gently first - in other words to get his feet moving? Once that is achieved he may understand that it is you who is directing his feet movement and he may then lead more easily? Just a thought. Also, make sure you're not looking back at him when trying to lead him (a mistake I've made!) as he will be getting conflicting messages from you.
I hope this may help a little. Good luck, Lizzie
OK Maria,
The very thing you have to keep in mind is, your little guy is very young.
He needs first, time to put into gear what it is you are asking him.
Secondly, he DID move forward, even if it were just to move his foot, he did it.
Did you take time to praise him, tell him he was a good boy, rub his forhead?
And finally did you release as soon as he moved forward, keeping a smile in the lead rope?
Please keep in mind he is young and they take time to process before they feel it is safe.
Be patient, it will pay in the end.
Ronda
Thanks for all the advice. I did praise Luca for his effort when he moved, but i kept doubting that i wasn't doing things right when he didn't react as I expected him to.
I guess i was expecting more energy as my own horse Tegan is so reactive, i'm not used to the layed back type. Luca is a baby still and so funny to watch, i really want to do things right for him. I will try some of the advice and let you know how i get on.
Maria
Hi cristina,
If I get this straight you are saying that a horse will not discipline another horse if it does not follow?
I have been watching my daughters herd and if the lead mare moves forward and she wants the others to follow she will nip them on the whithers or rump.
She just has to move her head thier way and they move.
As for using the dually for something the horse is not doing, I guess you could say, the horse is not moving forward and this is what you want, so therefore the dually.
Any instrument in the wrong hands can do harm, sometimes irreparable.
I have watched a 4 star trainer slap a horse around because it refused to accept the saddle from him but it would accept the saddle very easily from the owner.
Go figure.
I have seen a knotted rope halter used with such force it lifted the horse off it's feet, that must have hurt.
What I'm saying is, and Monty stresses this, the dually halter should be used for schooling, not disciplining.
Used with light jerky movements, eventually it will not have to be used at all.
We don't want our horses to learn to go into pressure, we'll never win the battle, right!
Ronda
I can see in the video lesson that it has a great effect in a short time. I was just wondering, if the horse learns to follow due to trust or fear from the pressure. Maybe it is a mixture of both ?
For me cristina,
The most important thing is for the horse to follow because he wants to.
I have taken 3 years to get as far as I have with STAR and I have had pressure to do more with her but I refuse.
I move at a pace that is comfortable for me and therefore will be comfortable for STAR.
I have watched your videos and they are beautiful.
Has it taken you time to get the horses to do what they do?
Can you share with me on my youtube account?
Ronda
Hi Maria
I have the same problem with my new horse Monti he is a 3yr old Gypsy Cob and is very very laid back, after watching Montys lesson about learning to lead and the sweet spot i was eager to try it with Monti ha ha ha he had other ideas bless him he is still young but i'm also a novice so i was afraid I wasn't doing it right he doesn't move off the pressure although I find it easier backing him up and I can get him to stand beautifully so it's just the moving forward. I guess it will just take time and patience but i know where you're coming from.
Nicky
Hi Nic&Monty - perhaps you are not putting enough pressure on the dually to make him move forwards. Check out as many of Monty's videos with the dually as you can. You will notice that when the horse is stubborn about moving forward Monty retains his pressure with his weight on the dually lead rope until the horse willingly comes off it. Sometimes when first using the dually on Tricka I was worried she would hurt her muzzle if she didn't yield so I release to soon. Now she knows to respond quickly!
Hi MaggieF and Nicky,
What we should remember is that the horse comes off the Dually at the release!
Give your youngster the time to react to your request, and reward the smallest try.
From what you describe it sounds like young Monti doesn't understand what you're asking of him.
Timing is essential and he will tell you when your timing is right.
Have fun with your youngster!
Miriam
Thanks folks I love this forum it's really great for sharing worries and info I am a novice so all this feed back is brilliant thank you. Monti did really well this evening so I'm sure with time we'll get there xx
Thanks Miriam for picking this one up - my explanation was poor, yes the quick release is the key. Tricka just initially took her time giving me any sign - she is perfect now.
I have a two years old filly who tends to be pretty slow to respond. I used the Dually on her and got no real response like in the Dually Halter and Leading lessons. I came back in and watched again and realized I didn't have the halter adjusted correctly. The next day - with the correct adjustment, and the correct release when she came off the pressure and PRESTO! she acted just like Zinfandel. She was very much ready to follow me where I wanted in the speed I was moving.
Like Monty says -- my horse problems are me problems.