8 yr. Pony gelding,Peanut Butter

Question
Dear Denise LaChapelle,
    I have owned peanut Butter since he was 7 months old.
He has always led very well and liked to go for walks.  He also was very good on the lounge line.  Throughout his life he developed founder and reoccurring laminitis thatwe keep under control with frequent farrior visits.  He is never in pain.  I was hospitalized and out of commision for about7 months and now I am able to do much more mobily
and Peanut Butter balks when being led. He Does the pony planting and will not move unless someone else is here tourge him from behind.  Help, please! I am running out of patience.  He is so good natured other wise. I love him so.

            eager to here from you,

                  Mary

Answer
Hi Mary!

I'm so sorry to hear that you were ill.  I hope you are well on your way to a full recovery!  Has Peanut Butter had another bout with founder while you were sick?  Who was handling him in your absence?  

If your pony was with someone you trust as a handler and he is not dealing with any pain issues, then we can approach the behavior of not leading well.  Just be VERY sure he is not in pain.  Horses that were once willing and then become resistant, especially one with a chronic health issue, should receive a through health exam when there is a drastic change in habits and personality.  

So, if Peanut Butter is clear of any health issues let's go back to the beginning and work on leading.  Have you ever heard the expression you can't lead an elephant, but you can drive one anywhere?  Well, as I'm sure you have figured out how strong and tough even a 12 hh pony can be.  We have to have the cooperation and participation from the horse to create a dance.  The horse also needs to KNOW that WE are leading the dance.  Don't try and pull your pony along, drive him instead.  Get to his feet and work on the obedience and respect the goes hand in glove with leading.  

I hope you have a good rope halter with a 12' tree line lead.  A rope halter offers a feel that a webbed nylon halter does not have.  Your pony can brace against a webbed halter and be comfortable, but that cannot happen in a rope halter.  Also, the tree line lead has a weight and feel to it that makes it easy and accurate to control as well as commanding attention from your pony.  

Now for the lesson...When you are headed anywhere and Peanut Butter locks up, and won't lead willingly with his ear at your shoulder, take a step back and face him, with your left hand holding the lead raise your arm and open up in the direction you were moving, I want you to be almost pointing the way with your left hand.  Your right hand holds the tail end of your lead, start spinning the lead in an overhand direction toward PB's hind quarters, with the lead spinning step toward him, if he does not step forward in the direction of your open leading  left hand, NIP him on the bum.  If he does not step toward the open door, (where your left hand is pointing) Nip him again.  I'm sure you have seen other horses move a less dominate herd mate in the pasture.  This is how they do it only you do not have the teeth that another horse has, you use the lead rope in place of teeth.  It may take a nip or two OR THREE before PB decides that he should listen to you.  The SECOND he makes a try to move forward, stop spinning your lead, rub him and let him know he found the answer.  Now open up your leading hand and ask him again.  If he is still confused about what the answer is, start spinning, if that does not get him to move, nip him again.  Always offer the best deal first.  Never just walk up and whack him.  Let him see the spinning lead, walk toward him with a body posture and a feel that says "MOVE YOUR FEET, NOW!"  If he does not take you up on the good deal, nip him.  Pretty soon he will understand that he had better move his feet!  If your pony squirts forward after a nip on the bum, yield his hindquarters so he does not pull away from you. When you yield his hindquarters he will be facing up on you, change hands on the lead and drive him back to the right, yield his hindquarters again, now he is heading back in the original direction.  Ask him to step off in the direction of your open leading hand and start the whole pattern over again.

Pretty soon Peanut Butter will believe in you, that you are in charge and you are a leader he can trust.  Be consistent, be fair, be trustworthy.  Reward the slightest effort and the smallest try from your pony.  Tell him clearly when he has found the answer, and give him a nip for not listening.

If I have used terms and concepts that you are not familiar with, please let me know and I will clarify.  This is only the tip of the iceberg of good horsemanship and things you can do with Peanut Butter to make real changes in his life and yours too!

Have Fun!  Enjoy the journey!
Smiles, Denise

Hi Mary!  I hope you got this e-mail.  I noticed on my log that the answer was not yet read.  I don't want you to think I forgot about you!  How are things going?  Let me know!  Denise