#70 Leading by the Legs

#70 Leading by the Legs

There just isn't any law that states that you can only lead your darling by his head.  Why not lead him with his front leg (legs), back leg (legs), tail, ears, mane ??? 

It is simply done using pressure and release - as soon as he moves, let go of what you are holding onto - for example, his legs or ear. Then start again.  He'll get the hang of it.

Below is a short video of me teaching the horse of one of our guests how to lead with his front legs.

You may ask WHY do I want to do that ?

Well, there are 2 reasons:

1.  Because you can - the more that you can do with your horse, the better and more "broke" your horse is.

2.)  You just never know !   Dusty moved into a really, really tight space where he would never have been able to turn around to get out of there - so I simply led him backwards by his tail.   Easy peasy...

So, why not give it a try ?

Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com

#69 Time

                                                                   #69 Time 

Folks have incredibly busy schedules and often don't/can't find the time to ride.  That's ok.  What is important is the time you spend with your little darling.  It makes all the difference in the world.

   It doesn't matter if it is only 10 minutes.  It is 10 minutes very well spend for your darling and for you.  If you can get him - (big) - halter him (big) - walk him (big) - this is HUGE in his head. 

 This is when you reinforce your leadership and your partnership with him.  And you do that simply by having him face you if he is in the stall, or get him to come to you, or he stands still when you go to get him;  you get him to lower his head to put the halter on, then you lead him next to you - all very quietly.  No rushing.  

You may only be able to walk him for 1 minute - but that 1 minute is very important to your horse.  He remembers that he can trust you and feel secure with you and even like you.  You don't need snacks.  

You've always heard it's the little things that matter.  Well, it's these little things that make a world of difference for the relationship between you and your horse. 

Dusty focused on Mary

Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com