Controlling my youngster whilst leading to the field

Question
hello,  I am 41yrs and have had horses since a child, but never a youngster to bring on.

I have two horses both geldings, one is a 3yr old gelding I have had from birth 'Oliver' I am currently having problems holding him back whilst leading him to the field from the house.  He starts to pull away from me and I find it hard to hold him back to respect me - I can do this for the first few times but the closer to the field entrance the stronger he pulls his head from me. He has managed to get away from me a few times, luckily I can catch him very easily, he just stands eating grass at the side of the road!

What aid can I use to help hold him.  He is not doing this out of nastiness but excitement to get to the field after being stabled for a few days.  Unfortunately I am not as strong as my husband who can hold him, but he needs to respect me when I say NO its no.  I have tried putting the lead rope around his nose but this has not stopped him. My friends back in Holland use a form of curbchain on the lead rope but not familiar with this.

I would be very greatful for any suggestions.

Thank you

Juie  

Answer
Hello Julie,

Yes, there is a sort of lead with a chain at the snap end.  There are three ways you can use it.  

1:  Run chain snap through the nearside halter ring, over the nose and snapped to the offside halter ring.  When he pulls, give a snap, a quick and release.  Repeat if he still pulls.  It is painful over the nose, but not so much as the next two.

2:  Run snap end through the nearside halter loop and under the chin and hook to offside ring.  A few pulls on this are a bit more painful and he may rear.  So be careful.  But it will help you to hold him if he knows that he can be punished if he does not.

3:  This is a last resort method and I have used it several times.  Only have to do it once or twice and they become puppies.  Run the snap through the nearside halter loop and under the chin, on out through the offside loop, on up and hook it to the offside brow loop.  When you give a jerk on this, be out of the way of his feet because chances are he will go up.  But it will work.  When he comes down he will respect you.  

So often we bring up our babies with no punishment for bad behavior...the sort that the stallion or mares would give a foal in the wild.  If they misbehaved the stallion or mares would give a bit or a kick. That teaches the foal what is good, bad, accepted and not accepted.  We have to do the same thing.  These methods are not to be used continually, but strongly, at once when needed and then relaxed.  The idea is not to squeeze the nose or cause the chin constant pain, but a quick, sharp notice that you are there.

Let me know if you do not understand any of these directions and I can explain further.  The chains can be bought separately and attached to any lead rope, or you can get them all in one.

Good luck
Dorothy