Training - Ground Manners

- Horse Rubs on You

Things you need:

• Halter
• Lead Rope
• 8 - 10 foot soft cotton rope
• Lounge line or Long line
• Lounging whip or dressage whip
• Saddle blanket or pad
• Small cloth
• Fence post in an enclosed area
• A print out of this lesson (you may print
one (1) copy for personal use)

Rubbing it's head on you:

I see it all the time, horse owners try to halter or bridle their horse and the animal constantly knocking on them while trying to rub it's head and face against them. This is a bad habit to let your horse get into. Little kids get knocked down or hurt from a horse hitting against their head. Adults knocked off balance and hit in the face. Most horses are itchy, so, take care of their itches while grooming.

Brush your horse's face with a very soft bristled brush; brush behind the ears and on the face, under the chin and where the head joins the neck avoiding the eyes. There are special brushes made just for the face.

Don't let the horse or pony rub on YOU; if it does - Stop what you are doing and say NO in a very firm tone. You don't have to yell, just be firm.

Resume grooming. Grooming is a good time to make this lesson because your horse will be more interested in itching and you will have the halter on for further discipline.

Each time your horse tries to rub (don't wait until it DOES rub, catch it before) say NO in a firm voice. If you are a parent, just remember how you taught your little one not to touch the stove. Same idea.

If the horse insists on rubbing, hold the lead right below the halter. When it starts to rub, give a LIGHT tug and say NO in a firm voice. Don't jerk it's head - just a tug. Start with just the voice command NO, if that doesn't work after several tries, then go on to the tug and NO together. Training takes time. Some horses learn faster than others. Don't be too impatient.

Future Articles In the Ground Manners Training Series:
Pulling ahead of you while leading
Lagging behind while leading
Leaning or bumping you while leading
Smashing you against the wall while grooming
Can't pick up it's feet
Other "feet" issues
Biting or nipping
Kicking
Charging

 

By Pam Hunter

Copyright 1998-2012, All Rights Reserved - These articles are the property of Pam Hunter DBA Hunter's Pony Farm. They may not be copied or reproduced in any form - EXCEPT: ONE (1) copy of the article on  Halter Breaking and ONE(1) copy of subsequent articles in the Continuing Series on Training can be made by an individual for their sole personal use. Other use violates this copyright.