Horse rips leadrope from my hand...?

Question

I have a fjord horse and he listens to me pretty well. At a walk he will stop next to me instead of keeping walking. But every so often he will just randomly rip the lead rope from my hand and run off. It has been happening more and more and i was wondering how i can stop it. (preferrably without a lead shank if possible)

Answer 1

First, I would strongly suggest not to use a shank over your horse's nose because if he got away from you and stepped on his lead, he could really hurt himself.  Therefore, I'm glad you don't want to use one.  

Now, I think your horse doesn't respect you as a leader.  You need to establish youself as the leader, then your horse should have no problem doing what you want.  Do you have a round pen you can do some ground work in?  (If you don't that's okay, but I like round pens.)

Start with always making your horse move out of your space.  If he thinks he can make you back away from him, he will think he is in charge.  If you can control where he moves his feet, he will respect and follow you.  Also, always make him turn towards you rather than turning his hind end towards you.  For example, I take care of a couple horses who live out in a field.  Yesterday, I went to put fly spray on one of them, and he started walking away from me.  I stopped him and he turned away from me.  So I corrected him, and made him turn and turn until he turned towards me.  Then he stood, and I put the fly spray on him.  I established myself as the "band leader".

Also,  if your horse breaks away, don't punish him once you catch him.  He might associate being caught with the punishment.  Therefore, you need to find a way to make your horse uncomfortable when he breaks away.  That way, he learns that he doesn't like disrespecting you.

I can't really give you a great way to do that because I'm not sure what area you'll be working in.  But here's one example.  Say you're bringing your horse in from the field to be fed and he breaks away and runs into his stall.  Close the stall door and walk away.  Then take him back out to the field and feed him out there.  That way he learns that he needs to be polite to you to get fed instead of he needs to be in his stall to get fed.

Sorry I couldn't really give you anything specific, but I hope the philosophy of it helps.  You may also find it helpful to notice patterns of when your horse misbehaves.  That way, you can anticipate his actions.

Answer 2

get a stud chane lead rop and put it over the nose and when he pulls his head up it will hurt not to the part were hes bleeding but it will teach him not to do that cause it will hurt

Answer 3

you can use a chain lead or a crop, but there is always the possibility that he might be spooking at something. has anything been moved or replaced? also, if its going somewhere special, then it could just be excitment. work on if for a bit with a chain lead.

Answer 4

i would go with the 2 answer

Answer 5

get a dressages whip its just a long crop and every time you feel him about to pull redirect his feet back him up or push his backend away from you with longeing to give you to eyes he cant out run you or run away if hes looking at you

Answer 6

My current show mare has some manner issues when worked from the ground.  She is prone to walking too fast, and dragging on you if she has something in her mind.

The answer for me was lots of groundwork.  It could take months, but if you stick to it you will see alot of improvement.  

I think you should start with a good rope halter, maybe even one that has the knots along the nosepiece that natural horseman trainers use.  The knots give some more feel and bite when you pull, but not as much as a chain under the chin.  Make sure you have a good long smooth lead rope, and if necessary, use gloves when leading him, at least for the next few weeks.

Then I would spend some serious time doing alot of leading.  Don't just lead the horse, act as though you are teaching him showmanship.  Really work hard on teaching him to follow your shoulders, when you lean forward with your shoulders he should move forward, when you roll your shoulders backwards he should halt.  Do a bunch of backing ten or fifteen feet, teach him to pivot.  Teach him to halt and set up and not move until you cue him.  Get him to pivot on both the front and the hindquarters.  Get him to trot with you from a halter.  Teach him to sidepass from the ground.  Spend time working on the ground from both sides.  

I would really suggest you buy Clinton Anderson set of 6 DVDs called "Weanling/foals/yearlings"  The set is excellent even for older horses, and will really show you ways to get your horse to start looking at you with alot more respect and manners.  I paid about $70 on eBay for the set, and its been well worth the money.

You may have to start working this horse in a corral or small contained area if he's really been rude for a while.  And if you still don't have control with the rope halter, I would suggest you consider using a chain under his chin.  If you use it properly, and release pressure as soon as he obeys, there is nothing cruel or harsh about it.  In fact, I would say its alot better for your horse (as well as you) that you can tug lightly with the chain under the chin, and have him obey, then to drag on him like a maniac with a normal halter and rope!  I would use it under the chin, not over the nose, myself, but make sure you do NOT hold onto the chain portion yourself ever, as its a great way to get hurt if they go to jerk.

A polite and respectful horse will not suddenly jump forward and drag the rope out of your hand, because he will have learned the consequences of that.  Good luck and keep safe.

Answer 7

The short answer is, if you are adamant about not using a stud chain, then get a rope halter.  It sounds like pulling away is becoming a nasty habit.  You need to keep his nose tipped toward you when leading.  Don't let the lead get long at all, and wear gloves.  The second he thinks about bolting you have to pull him around toward you very hard, then back him up several steps.   Then carry on leading him again, but be prepared for him to try you again.

It sounds like you need to start at square one with ground work, but that would be the long answer, and I'm off to bed now!

Answer 8

The longer you let this go on, the more of a problem it will become. Your horse has learned that he can get out of whatever you had planned for him by walking off. I suggest using a stud chain over the nose on your halter. Remember to never tie him with the stud chain, though. If he pulls back with the chain active, he can cut his nose (or worse). You can 'park' the chain for tying by connecting the lead rope snap to both the halter and the chain end. That way, the chain won't tighten if the horse pulls back.

I resisted using the stud chain with my Dutch Warmblood even though the trainer told me to use one. After the first time my horse drug me - I was still on my feet but he was dragging me walking straight through the halter without any regard for me on the other end - I started using it. Its just a little extra control. After a few weeks, I was able to leave the chain parked almost all the time, but its there if I need it.

Answer 9

If you really don't want to use a chain, try working on leading him with his bridle on. The bit will give you more control. They actually make a colt bit that attaches to your halter and has a ring on the bottom for your lead. It would be much easier just to use a chain over his nose until he respects you. This is a dangerous habit for you and your horse. It is better to cause him a little discomfort than to have one of you seriously hurt.