halter training 5 mo. old filly

Question
QUESTION: We just purchased a 20 year old quarter horse mare with a 5 month old filly still nursing.  The filly was born in a pasture and has never been handled.  WE have them both in a small portable corral surrounding a shelter with three stalls.  The mother is a great horse, well trained.  When we ride the mare we let the filly out to run for exercise but it is getting harder each time to get her to follow her mother back into the corral.    We have been trying to entice her with food, but not much progress. We can rub her on the face but that's about all.  We need to halter her so the vet can give her vacinations. Would appreciate suggestions on getting her halter trained.

ANSWER: Hi Roger!

I answered this question from you a few days ago...did it not get to you?  It is on the answered questions page.  Give it a read and then let me know how things are going.  I'm sorry if it didn't get to you the first time around!  Strange...Smiles, Denise

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QUESTION: We now have the halter on her and can rub her all over but she pulls away when you take hold of the halter. How do we get her to take the lead?

Answer
Hi Roger!

Good job on getting her to accept the halter.  Now, about leading...I like rope halters with tree line leads.  There are no big snaps to whack a colt under the jaw.  Smooth, is always the key to handling horses.  

When you pick up on the lead don't pull like you expect her to follow, put a "feel" on the lead and the SECOND she rocks her weight forward, release the pressure.  Then ask her again.  Every time she tries to step along with you, at her slightest TRY, release the pressure.  Keep building on this pattern of picking up on the lead, adding a bit of pressure to the lead, and then releasing when she makes a try.  Pretty soon rocking her weight forward will turn into a step and one step will turn into many steps and then you will be off and running.  

Try not to put so much pressure on the lead that she jumps forward.  You will have to experiment with your feel here.  The horse is very forgiving when we make mistakes.  If you put on too much pressure and she jumps, do less the next time.  Always do what it takes to get a change, then observe, compare and remember.  

If your filly gets a bit rambunctious and is not respecting your space, set things up so that SHE runs into your elbow or the heel of your hand on her cheek.  We can make lots of hard corners out of our bodies that make it uncomfortable for the horse to run into our space.  You don't ever have to chase her down and hit her, just make it difficult for her to walk on you.

Try this and let me know how it is working out.  You on the right track now!

Smiles and Miles!  Denise