lead training a 7 month Clyde

Question
Thank you for your response....I do understand the trust is critical...I don't feel like he distrusts me...he allows us to come to him without running away....he allows us to pet and pat him pretty much all over is body (head, face, neck, back, hind and front legs)  I understand he tries to test me.  This is where I'm concerned.  Over the past several days I've tried to put slight pressure with the lead rope forward...he just stands doesn't budge, I held it that way for about 10 minutes with no progress.  I just didn't want to be doing something which I'm concerned will create bad habits.  Also, I made an attempt with some food as a reward...he would come to me with no trouble, I'd walk ahead about 5 feet with the lead rope and he'd eventually come up....I'd then praise him and the give him the treat.  He seemed to take well to this twice today and yesterday...and seemed to do better each time.  I then took off the lead rope and proceeded to leave the area, he immediately followed me almost like trying to herd me? I think cause he wanted more...I said no and lightly pushed he head away, he seemed not to like not getting his treat, almost like a two year old child when being told 'no'.  He stampered off with a bit of a jump and thrust of his rear feet, all about 20 feet from me, then just stopped on the other side of his paddock area.  Does it sound like he is trying to instill his dominance?  Or maybe he's just pouting he didn't get any more treat?  We've contacted a professional trainer to hopefully make things much better.  I'm not sure that I will be able to load him into the trailer, since I can't even seem to lead him around an area where he is comforatable.  I guess I could use his treats to load him though.  Thanks again for your suggestions.


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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I recently  have welcomed an almost 7 month male Clydesdale.  We've had his about a week now and I know that is a very short time.  He seems nervous as expected.  At first he was nervous to be led out of his stall to graze on grass and didn't seem to have much trouble going back in, then it was the opposite, no trouble going out but definately doesn't want to go back in.  So he is out in the fenced in pasture currently.  It seems the literature is all over the place to develop some sort of consistent lead training.  I understand it is all about trust, some days he is just great with me and curious and will come up while I'm working in the enclosed area, other days he just stays completely away.  When trying to lead, he doesn't want to move, period.  I don't pull but I don't know where the fine line is between being aggressive, spooking him, and/or creating distrust or dominance.  What techniques do you recommend for this.  Also, yesterday he seemed to do somewhat well leading him out of the enclosed area until our inside dog got outside somehow and spooked him from behind, well that just ruined it completely.  He did kick just because he didn't know what was back there smelling his foot.  Do I also have to worry about him wanting to become a kicker?  Thanks.
-----Answer-----
Hi Rodney,
         It sounds as though your colt is testing you. He wants to see what he can and can not get away with. You will want to set up a consistent schedule to work with him. At the very minimum try 2, 30 minutes a day training sessions. What I suggest you do first is take a chair out into the enclosed area with a book and a radio and just sit there with the music softly playing and with you reading. Let him come to you, sniff you, get used to your smell.He will start to move closer to you. Again just ignore him and read your book or listen to the radio. He needs to learn that he can come near you, run away, and come back, and you will not try to catch him. After a few days of him getting closer start to talk to him but do not stand up or look at him. This may go on for a few weeks, but don't be in a hurry.

Let him learn about you, start getting up, stretching, moving around a bit and then sit back down and ignore him. You want to let him approach you. When he finally approaches just let him smell and touch you. Do not touch him. A few days later bring a stiff brush out with you. When he comes back and stays then you can stroke his neck or scratch his withers. Do not touch his face area. If he will let you then brush his neck.

To work on the leading you will want to use a soft cotton lead rope. When you are leading him have the rope tight. When he takes a few steps to relieve the pressure then praise him. Keep on repeating this.

It sounds like our horse kicked out of fear and not for the sake of kicking. At this time unless he does it again I would not worry about his becoming a kicker.

Good luck and please let me know how it goes.

Lisa

Answer
Hi Rodney,
         Your horse needs to learn to move forward. Since he will not lead just using pressure you need a butt rope and/or a lounge or dressage whip.  

A butt rope is a loop of preferably cotton rope (a lead rope will work).

He should be wearing a halter and have a lead rope attached to it. I prefer cotton is it helps prevent rope burns if he decides to pull back suddenly.

Introduce to the butt rope and whip. Allow him to smell it and then rub it all over his body and legs.

When he no longer fears those devices it is time for him to learn forward motion.


Use short gentle pulls on the butt rope, or you can use short gentle taps with the longe whip until he moves forward.

Any forward movement should be rewarded by the immediate stopping of the pulling on the butt rope or tapping him with the whip. Make sure you give him plenty of positive reenforcement.

Treats are ok in moderation, but never feed him a treat out of your hand. If he is getting pushy with food treats then instead give him scratches.

It does sound like he is trying to establish dominance. You need to act like a member of the herd would and "kick" him back. You have three seconds to react.

Bring your longe whip with you when you go in with him. If he pins his ears and kicks to you, raise the whip and smack the ground behind him and yell no. You are telling him you mean business, and his behavior is inexcusable.Make sure you are out of kicking range when you discipline him.

Most likely he will run off, just let him. Come back in 10-15 minutes, and see what he does. If he goes for the treat, let him have some but not all and walk away. If he tries to kick again, then you give him a slight crack on the rump.

Look at his body language to see what he does.

Do his ears perk up? Does he turn around? Does he keep at it?

Remember to talk to him. Tell him no when he does something wrong and good boy when he is doing things correctly.

If he is in a small pen you can either run him into the trailer or if you have two people use the butt rope and lounge whip to get him in.

Lisa