problems associated with my 4 year old gelding!

Question
hello i have had previous problems with my 4 year old thoroughbred cross quarter horse gelding i just bought.I can tie him up outside and he is fine but the minute i put him in a tie stall he suddenly pullls back and has broken the stall and 3 halters. I do not know what to do with this because we dont have a box stall and he has already hurt me while pulling. I am scared he might hurt himself and i really want to be able to tie him in the barn. Please help me!

Answer
Hello,
Lets think about what your horse is feeling. Horses are INTO pressure animals, this means that when they feel any kind of pressure their instinct is to pull against it or run through it. A brilliant instinct because if a cougar grabbed a horse and it gave to the pressure and lay down that horse would not live very long. That being said lets think of some ways to show your horse how to give to the pressure of the halter. I would get a natural rope halter, the typical halters are too thick to give a clear feel to the horse when doing ground work and the lead rope is not long enough. Start in the arena and practice walking ahead of your horse- how well does he lead? When he is walking behind you slowly start to run off. When he feels the pull on the halter does he pull against it or come and run off with you? I would practice going from a stop to a walk and walk to trot until he comes right along. If you trot off and he pulls on the contact of the halter keep your contact steady and keep trying to run off- As soon as he comes forward- EVEN A LITTLE BETTER THAN HE WAS- give up all the pressure you had on the lead rope. That is a great place to stop and pet him. Then begin again. Try this out and let me know if you have any problems. After he learns to follow the contact of the halter I have several other exercises you can do together to teach him how to tie.
Best Wishes,
Caitlin Day Huntress