Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2007 9:31:56 GMT 1
Hi Suzie,
I was going to send you a PM but wondered if others might be interested too. I just wanted to check if you were still having problems leading Honey from the headcollar? Looking at your post on the DG, you said she'll follow you but doesn't like being led if the leadrope's attached. I think I covered it a bit in the notes, but I guess the first thing is to lead her as loose a possible. A lot of horses (most) lead SO much better if the don't have any pressure on the line at all. If she'll follow you anyway, the line is really only there as a backup, isn't it? What does she do if you do clip on? Is it the fact of the line or is it the pressure she can't cope with? If it's the line, is it lines in general (she might have bad memories of them), in which case desensitising to the line around her head and then all over would be useful. If it's the pressure of the line on the headcollar, then teaching her how to release herself from that pressure might be the way to go. Ask for a gentle step by applying pressure to the line from 90 degrees or so to her head, in other words so that you're pulling from the side. Bear in mind her comfort zone and be careful not to plunge too far into her area of discomfort. The pressure should be such that she needs to find her way out. By working from the side, you are avoiding her just pulling straight back at you and also can work towards slightly unbalancing her so she has to move her feet. Watch her chest muscles. As soon as they start to move, release the pressure. Often, as long as you keep pulling, the horse cannot give. She just has to keep pulling back. Wait till she's decided what she's going to try, then open the door so she can walk through.
If you're still having problems, do ask. Obviously, I can't see what's going on from here but I can always try guessing!
I was going to send you a PM but wondered if others might be interested too. I just wanted to check if you were still having problems leading Honey from the headcollar? Looking at your post on the DG, you said she'll follow you but doesn't like being led if the leadrope's attached. I think I covered it a bit in the notes, but I guess the first thing is to lead her as loose a possible. A lot of horses (most) lead SO much better if the don't have any pressure on the line at all. If she'll follow you anyway, the line is really only there as a backup, isn't it? What does she do if you do clip on? Is it the fact of the line or is it the pressure she can't cope with? If it's the line, is it lines in general (she might have bad memories of them), in which case desensitising to the line around her head and then all over would be useful. If it's the pressure of the line on the headcollar, then teaching her how to release herself from that pressure might be the way to go. Ask for a gentle step by applying pressure to the line from 90 degrees or so to her head, in other words so that you're pulling from the side. Bear in mind her comfort zone and be careful not to plunge too far into her area of discomfort. The pressure should be such that she needs to find her way out. By working from the side, you are avoiding her just pulling straight back at you and also can work towards slightly unbalancing her so she has to move her feet. Watch her chest muscles. As soon as they start to move, release the pressure. Often, as long as you keep pulling, the horse cannot give. She just has to keep pulling back. Wait till she's decided what she's going to try, then open the door so she can walk through.
If you're still having problems, do ask. Obviously, I can't see what's going on from here but I can always try guessing!
